America's Next Top Role Model

I was at the gym yesterday, and had to grimace at the fact that the TV above the cardio machines was set to a marathon of America's Next Top Model. That's really just evil.

I'm not much of a reality show junkie, so this was the first time I'd actually watched this show. I had forgotten to bring anything to read, so I was held captive as I pedaled. Frankly, I was appalled. The episodes I saw focused a lot on one particular contestant who was derided as being overweight. Seriously? She was one of the last five or six contestants, and was skinnier than the vast majority of people I've met in my life. But the message that was slammed home throughout the hour was that she was just too fat.

I, and a lot of the people I know, are wise enough to see the ridiculousness and not take it to heart; but there are thousands of women and kids who aren't that savvy. They're seeing this woman who is skinnier than most of them will ever be, and being told that she is still too big! How are they supposed to live up to that? They're seeing her being treated as a friend by the other contestants, being supported and encouraged, then seeing these same friends mock and deride her behind her back as being heavy. What is that supposed to make them think about their own lives, their own friends, or how they should treat their friends?

Completely disgusting.

Sad News...and, Media Mediocrity

I heard on the radio driving home from work today that they just found Heath Ledger dead in his apartment. I don't follow movies and such very often, but he was one guy that I usually really liked in movies. Not just his acting, although I did usually like what he did, but the little I saw about his personality. He wasn't always in the headlines with relationship drama or getting into trouble, and in a couple interviews I saw with him around the time of Brokeback Mountain he seemed really low key and down to earth. So, I'm pretty sad to hear that.

I have to comment, though, that I was just getting home when they said something on the radio, so I flipped on CNN to see if they had any more info. In addition to being bummed about the news, it was another ugly reminder of the current state of media these days; the coverage was idiotic. Asking the same questions over and over; asking about stupid, inane details that mean nothing ("The appointment he had with the masseuse, would that have been a regular thing?"); blathering canned phrases of shock, attempting to sound educated and serious; and just generally talking to hear themselves talk. Just as with all other big breaking news stories, digging for any bit of potential new info, no matter its questionable validity or relevance.