MTV's Skins

There's no doubt that most have heard of the new show on MTV titled "Skins". Initially, I was interested in this show because I'm a glutton for teen angst and drama-filled shows. I mean, who didn't love "Beverly Hills 90210", back in the day? I dare to say that even some of us watch the new version, simply called, "90210". I didn't tune in that first night of airing because I had totally forgotten that it was on, and to be honest, my DVR was probably already full from other shows. The day after the show aired is when my interest was really peaked. The Parent Television Council, referred to by some at the PTC, started a firestorm against MTV and the show. They said that it was, in a nutshell, child pornography. In my mind, I just thought that here was another show that this group was going to go up against. That all changed though when advertising sponsors starting backing out. I'm not talking about little sponsors that you don't necessarily care about. No! I'm talking about Taco Bell, Subway, Schick, Loreal, and General Motors, just to name a few. At that point, I had to see what the fuss was about. I'm never one to make a judgment about something just because of what someone else says. I want to see it for myself. So that's what I did.

Last Saturday, I sat on my recliner, computer in my lap and earphones on, as to not offend my 4 years old's ears, and watched the first episode. The show started off with a young high school kid getting out of bed and watching his neighbor lady undress. This turned into helping his sister, who looked quite haggard I must add, sneak back into the house. Then the debauchery continued. He calls his girlfriend, who he calls Nips because of her "weird nipples"(I know! TMI), to tell her that she needs to help devirginize their friend Stanley. Then it pans to Stanley who has fallen asleep with numerous porn magazines strewn on his bed. Basically, this goes on and on and on throughout the whole episode. Most of the time, it was the characters talking to each other very blatantly about sex and drugs.

After watching, I felt like I needed a shower. I was disgusted by what I saw. I couldn't believe that this is how teenagers were being portrayed. Now, I've read numerous articles about the show from people opposed to it and people that see it as harmless. The biggest argument for people that think it's harmless is this-"This is what teenagers are doing. You can either accept it or hide your head in the sand". It's hard for me to even describe how I feel about that quote because it's so ignorant. This is NOT what teenagers are doing, at least not the majority of them. Yes, some are having sex. Yes, some are on drugs. Yes, some are binge drinking. Again I say though, that this is not the majority of teens. As a friend of mine stated, "Skins takes the behavior of the minority, exaggerates it greatly and then portrays it as if it is normal teen behavior". Even if it was the majority of teens, why should this behavior be glorified on cable television? "Skins" shows teens that it's acceptable to do the moronic things that these characters are doing. Do I think that most teenagers are going to watch this and immediately start using drugs and having sex? No, I don't think that. However, I don't think that this destructive behavior needs to be portrayed as it is to show that this is "real life" for teens, because that's a lie.

Something that bothered me the most was that the show is geared to teenagers yet the Television Content Ratings rate it as an M for mature which means it is not suitable for anyone under the age of 17. It seems like quite the contradiction when MTV target audience is those from 12-24. Twelve year-olds should definitely not be watching this show, and 24 year-olds could care less about watching teens engage in destructive behavior as this show glorifies. It's absurd to me. Absolutely absurd! Why have the show on in the first place?

Another thing that is troubling is that most of the cast are under 18. The sister of the main character, in real life, is only 15. Why would a parent allow their child on a show that objectifies women, encourages teenage promiscuity, pornography, and elicit drug use? The parents should be hauled away and for child endangerment. Why is MTV even allowed to use such a young cast to play their characters who are engaging in this behavior? At least shows like GLEE and 90210 have casts that are in their 20's.

This past Tuesday, viewership for Skins declined by 50%, and I say "Thanks goodness for that!". Get a clue MTV. No one wants to watch the crap programming that you are producing. First Jersey Shore, now Skins. What's next? Really, though. What's next??? It's a scary thought isn't it?

A major flaw in "Little Fockers"

Over the Christmas break, my husband and I had a wonderful 10 day staycation. We've never stayed around our house for Christmas, so it was nice to actually not have to go anywhere. We slept in, at breakfast at noon, and laid around in our pajamas. It was fantastic. We always try to see a movie around Christmas because, beside summer, a lot of good movies come out then. After much deliberation between "Little Fockers" and "The Tourist", we decided to go with the comedy.

Now, I will say that I went into this movie with very low expectations. The second of the trilogy, Meet the Fockers, wasn't very good. I like to call it a "renter". It's not worth the ticket price but definitely worth the $1 that you'd pay at a RedBox. I was thinking that this third installment was going to fall into the category of the second.

Let me first say that I thought this movie was pretty funny. Most people would probably disagree with me because they don't like bathroom/bodily humor. I thoroughly enjoy it. I find nothing funnier than a clip like the one in "Dumb and Dumber" where Harry is in the bathroom having a major "issue" after Lloyd spikes his tea with Xlax. Absolutely hysterical! However, there was a major flaw in this movie that was hard to avoid. I won't go into the whole plot, but there is a part where Greg(Ben Stiller) allows Andi(Jessica Alba) into his renovated home after him and his father-in-law get into it. She brings wine and Chinese food hoping to "cheer him up". This is where it crossed the line for me. What married man, in his right mind, would allow someone as hot as Jessica Alba to come into his home, while he is alone, and eat Chinese food and drink wine. It's like watching a train wreck about to happen before your eyes.

This is where Hollywood ticks me off everytime. No matter what your faith is, every man should be on-guard at all times as to not fall into temptation like this. It's a moral compass that has been diluted by Hollywood's fingerprint of sexuality. Now, in the movie, Greg holds true to his commitment that he made to his wife, but it's not like Andi didn't make some serious passes at him, even going as far as stripping down to her bra and underwear, and of course his father-in-law, played by Robert DeNiro, happens to by spying on him right at that point. Had Greg not even allowed her into his house, this wouldn't have even happened. Why put yourself into a tempting situation like this? This actually goes for men and women alike.

Some of you might be saying, "Yeah, but it's just a movie, Alyson", and you are right. It is just a movie, but it's scenes like this that make us think that just "inviting the nice, young, attractive woman/man in the house" is ok. It seeps into our subconscious and messes with us. I wish the producers had let Greg stand his moral ground and not have let her into the house. That would of had me applauding till the cows come home. Unfortunately, this movie was tainted, in my mind because of that scene, and it's a shame.

It's Singing Time

Is anyone else enjoying the Sing-Off as much as I am? Last year, I missed the entire season except for the finale. Someone asked me about the show, and I couldn't believe that my DVR hadn't been pre-programmed for such a show as this. This year, though, I was armed with my remote in hand in order to make sure that every episode of this glorious show was recorded and waiting for me to indulge. I love shows like this. Shows like "The Sing-Off" are part of my DNA. Being a singer and having been in musical groups my whole life, I live for shows that actually show real people being able to show their musical talents to the world. I've heard enough digitized and auto-tuned wannabe's to last me the rest of my life. I long for some real, raw talent that just happens without a computer giving it a decent sound. Thus the reason I LOVE "The Sing-Off".

Not only is it the raw natural talent that gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. It's the acapella sound that makes all of the hairs on my arm stand up. I've never sung acapella like the folks on the show, so maybe that's why I'm so enamored with it. As I listen, I try to pick up on the harmonies and the nuances that the "percussion" vocalist give to the performance. It's amazing that these people can actually sound like drums. I forget that there are no instruments or tracks in the background. It's just the vocalists with their God-given voices.

I wish that this show wasn't on for just a short amount of time. A month of this is not enough. Heck, I wouldn't mind if this show replaced American Idol over on Fox, but that's a whole other blog post that will be happening in January. So, dear "Sing-Off" producers, please give us more of this show. Your faithful viewers are begging for more. Sincerely, Alyson Moore

Cancer Sucks!

I was browsing Twitter last night and came across a post by someone referencing the sadness in Elizabeth Edward's battle with cancer. I immediately started Googling information regarding her and her condition. To my surprise, I found article after article talking about how her cancer has spread to her liver, and they have decided to stop treatment. My initial reaction was sadness for her two young children who are now 10 and 12 years old. As a mother, whenever tragedy strikes families, I immediately think of how it will affect either the parents or the children, in this case the children. Elizabeth has had cancer for a long time, however, I don't think it lessens the blow of the reality that she is heading toward death. It's so sad to think that she will never see her children get married or meet her grandchildren.

My second thought was "Darn you, John Edwards!". For those of you who didn't follow the saga of their marriage during his vie for the Democratic nomination in '08, here it is for you in a nutshell. John had an affair with a woman that he met at a bar, and in turn put her on his staff to do some type of videography for his campaign. He carried on this affair, and it resulted in the mistress getting pregnant. When he found out about the pregnancy and hid his mistress on the other side of the country. When she finally had the baby and the news came out that he was having this affair, he vehemently denied that the child was his. He always knew the baby was his, but openly denied it and tried to cover it up. After a year, he finally confessed to the baby being his, and that is when Elizabeth decided to file for a legal separation, which ultimately will become a divorce after the year of separation is over. I give this background to say this-what man on earth would put his wife through this terrible situation when he knows she is battling cancer? I can't see any other label for it except for complete and utter selfish, egocentric, power hungry ludicrousness. No wonder the poor woman's cancer has spread. She's had to deal with this crap! I'm not trying to sound self-righteous in all of this. We all make mistakes; some are big and some are small. Nevertheless, mistakes like this, are almost inexcusable.

I've never had to deal with someone in my family having cancer, and I pray to God that I never will. I can't imagine what it's like. I pray for Elizabeth that God will give her the strength to get through this, and that God will bring her children peace and comfort during this time. For John Edwards, I hope when he lays his head down on his 1200 thread count sheets, that he thinks about his life, and I pray that God will reveal himself through this.

I Prefer Grannie Panties!

This Tuesday, Victoria Secret had their annual fashion show on tv. As much tv as I watch, I've never watched this program for two main reasons. The first reason is because, frankly, I don't want my husband to come into the room and have ingrained into his brain the image of a VS model in a thong, diamond encrusted bra, thigh highs, and heels. Men have a hard enough time keeping their minds pure. I don't need my husband subconsciously comparing me to that model. I want to keep my husband's mind as pure as possible without adding to the struggle that all men have in this hyper-sexualized society. Not only is a detriment to my husband's mind, but what are we saying to our young boys? "This is what women should look like. Anything less is gross and disgusting". What women can live up to that expectation? Not only does it put this standard in boys minds, but it's soft porn, opening the door to major porn addictions that so many men face today. Porn addiction is a whole other blog, so I'll go straight to my second point.

Secondly,I'm insecure about my body enough as it is, that I don't need to watch women, whose thighs don't rub together when they walk, strut their stuff on the runway in lingerie that won't fit over my right thigh. I question the reason behind this popular broadcast. What is the purpose of it? If I want to know what type of lingerie VS has to offer this season, I can take a quick jaunt to my local mall and find out. I can even find out from the comfort of my Mac, while eating ice cream out of the carton. I find it disturbing that this is the image that we continue to ingrain in our children's brains as to how a women should look. This "fashion show", which is a debatable title, just adds to the increasing problem of girls thinking they have to look a certain way in order to feel beautiful and accepted. I long for the day when they have a Lane Bryant fashion show. Let's see some real women flaunting their curves up there, and let's make it a daytime show, so that while the men in our lives our out of the house, we can sit on the couch and relate to other women who look like us. Yes, her thighs rub together when she walks just like mine do. Hey, my boobs are pretty great. Awesome, I'm not the only one with a cottage cheese butt. Where are the real ladies? Where are the moms and wives who love the way they look, despite the fact that they have a mom pooch and a little more junk in the trunk. VS model Giselle is an anomaly. She's not the normal one. I want to see some normal women up there strutting their stuff and showing us that, despite my flaws and extra flab, in their granny panties and all, I'm gorgeous! What now, Victoria Secret?!?

Bristol Palin and DWTS

Last week, like millions of American, I sat and watched the semi-finals of Dancing with the Stars. Each season, I can always take this show or leave it. I tuned in pretty religiously when Kate Gosselin was on. What can I say? I'm a sucker for her and her 8 little spawns. I knew that this season would be no different with Bristol Palin as part of the cast. You may or may not know this, but I'm a Palin fan. I know, I know. Let the insults and ridicule fly. That won't change my mind about the woman who may be president in 2012. :)

When I heard that Bristol Palin was going to be part of the show, I was excited to see someone other than Sarah, emerge from this family. Let's face it. Bristol's had a hard few years. She was forced into the spotlight when her mom was the VP nomination with John McCain. She wasn't someone seeking fame, it was just part of her destiny. It turned out she was pregnant with her loser boyfriends child, which brought about a firestorm of negative her way. My take on that, and I'll just jump on this soapbox for a second, is that we all make mistakes. Hers was a national controversy. Ridiculous. Let the girl live and learn. Then her and her boyfriend breakup, he poses for Playgirl(do women even like that magazine?) and insults her family repeatedly, they get back together and eventually get engaged, then they break up again. This poor girl has been through the ringer, so when she was announced as a contestant, I thought "Good for you!".

I was also excited about the fact that here was someone who has not been in a single movie, has not had a top selling single, has not been on a hit show, and has not won a championship ring. She's an average girl who happens to have a not-so-average mom. She isn't in the entertainment industry. She has had no formal training of any kind, so immediately, she was my choice. Who doesn't love an underdog, anyways?

The first week she came out, I was nervous. I didn't want her to bomb, and again be scrutinized for how poorly she did. She was already being ridiculed by the media before she even stepped onto the dance floor. However, I was pleasantly surprised when she came out shaking her thing the first week. Yeah, over the course of the season, she's been the most reserved contestant, but looking at where she's come from and where's she is now.

Then "better" dancers than her started getting voted off. The media lashed out at her, and said that she was a horrible dancer who was only gaining votes because of her mom. Some articles even stated that she was only in the finals because conservatives had jammed the phone lines of the other contestants. I mean, really. Really? Here is one conservative who did NOT vote for her because of her mom. I continue to vote for Bristol because, like I stated earlier, she has no entertainment background. I expect Jennifer Grey to be good. She was in Dirty Dancing for cryin-out-loud. I expect Brandy to be good. She's had years of practice. What I don't expect is a girl from Wasilla, Alaska, to come out and rock it week after week. I vote for her because she's the underdog. She's the one in the middle of the media firestorm. She's the one being ridiculed, and on Tuesday night, I'll be sitting on my couch with my fingers crossed hoping that she takes home that mirror ball trophy.