Why Can't we Quit Reality T.V.

In 1992 MTV premiered their groundbreaking television series The Real World. The brain child of the late Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray placed seven to eight young adults from 18-25 in a house together where their lives would be taped. The show garnered high praise for their discussion and depictions of issues that affected the youth at the time such as sex, AIDS, substance abuse, race and religion.

I can faintly remember when I was in middle school in the early 2000’s when some old British rocker and his family had a show on MTV. The Osbournes continued what the Real World started while ushering in a new age of American television. A year after The Osbourne’s premiered, a group of washed up starts including rapper MC Hammer, Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe and former child star Emmanuel Lewis all moved into a house and lived together while the cameras rolled.

Where are They Now?: Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce

Mad Men was a show that presented an era to us that many of us never got to live through. The 60’s were a time when America was holding it down as the top dog of the world, trying to find it’s way with race and politics and growing as a capitalistic society where every family had equal opportunity to get their piece of the American Dream. We followed the employees of Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency on 5th Avenue in New York for seven seasons spanning nine years.

We fell in love with Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss and Christina Hendricks every time we saw their characters’ lives unfold during the decade that was. When the show ended this past May I felt like I was saying goodbye to my high school classmates all over again. So I thought, "Why don’t I create my own timeline of how my favorite characters lived out their lives once 1970 rolled in?" So Here we go!

Brendan Whitt's 15 best Rapper-Actors

What separates a regular rapper from all other rappers? Film and television credits. As we get wrapped up in the personas of these rappers (e.g. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Diddy etc.) we have to remember that these guys and girls are entertainers. Look at the legends like Sammy Davis Jr. Dude sang, acted on screen and stage and he could dance. Now that’s an entertainer.

As Hip-Hop broke out onto the national scene as a new cultural movement, rappers began to be approached to star in films a television specials centered around this “new” culture. Some of the best actors of our generation started off as singers or rappers. Here is a list of my favorite rappers turned actors.

First here are my criteria for the list: 1. Must have a rapping credit befor an acting credit, 2. My personal opinion on cultural relevancy, 3. Only T.V., Film, Theater and Video Game credits count, 4. Individual success and critical acclaim.

WARNING: THE PICTURE QUALITY ISN'T THE BEST!

Blought # 18: Is Traditional Radio Living on Borrowed Time?

The radio. What a marvel of human ingenuity. Officially created at the turn of the last century the little box made of wood and electrical wires completely changed how we humans receive information. Radios helped us transmit news stories to over a million homes, improve military and law enforcement communication and gave us a new source of entertainment. After the television became a commodity for most American families in 1960’s the radio took a slight dip in popularity.

Instead of listening to Eisenhower or FDR give an address over the radio you could watch Nixon on television since NBC, ABC and CBS could transmit broadcasts into the American home. By the 70’s and 80’s 8-track and cassette tapes made it easier to listen to the music you wanted, when you wanted and by the 90’s CD’s were revolutionizing music consumption all together.

Blought #11: The Evolution of Cartoon Network

Boy were the 90’s a time to behold. Just like the forty something to be generation did with their nostalgia of the 80’s, us millenials are doing the same with the 90’s. He-Man, GI Joe and Jelly bracelets are now artifacts worthy enough of enshrinement in the Smithsonian.

For me the 90’s was WWF, action figures and occasionally a little elementary school thrown in there somewhere. One of my favorite past times as a child was watching cartoons. A hobby of mine I am still active in today. Back when Adelphia was the go to cable provider for the Cleveland area their channel selection was somewhat limited. They did however carry the kiddie essentials of the time which were Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel (I've never regularly watched the latter).

Blought #3 'Netflix Done Saved my Life'

Don’t you just hate those long miserable nights when there’s absolutely nothing to watch? You’re on the couch and you've just passed the 1000’s for the third time. Then you start to wonder, “how in the hell do I pay over $100 a month for all these channels and I still cant find anything to watch”. Well I’m here to tell you that I haven’t had that problem in over four months, thanks to Netflix. I think one night before Al Gore went to sleep he looked to the sky and prayed to the internet gods for a solution to television boredom. When he awoke, he had a Netflix subscription. Wikipedia should cite me for that.

When I look at my life before the almighty Netflix, I see TV with no color or sound. Now I have the greatest invention since internet porn streaming right into my XBOX. I haven’t had HBO or Starz in about six or seven years but ever since Netflix those channels mean nothing to me. Sometimes when you channel surf you have a mood set for what you want to watch. Netflix will meet those needs. Bored? Watch an action movie. Babysitting? Search all of the children’s categories. Want to relive your childhood? Watch Rocky and Bullwinkle, GI Joe (the cool 80’s version), or watch old Nickelodeon shows from the 90’s. You can even watch it on your tablet or phone for those long car rides and family get-togethers you don’t remember agreeing to go to.

You know the selection of shows and movies is absurdly huge when the suggested categories include “Suspenseful Spy Thrillers“, “Asian Action Movies“, and “Family-friendly Talking-animal Animation“. You might as well pay the $7.99 a month for stream when you already pay an extra $10 bucks on a package for one specific channel but that package includes 15 channels you don’t watch. So to Netflix and Al Gore’s prayers one nigh full of boredom, I thank thee.

Blought #1 'Can A Kid Be A Kid These Days?'

Remember the 90's, I do. It was a time when all was well and the US was worry free. At least my pre-pubescent mind thought so. The only things I was worried about pre-2000 was Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. That was the golden age of cartoons for me. Cartoon Cartoon Fridays was the best part of my week. Dexter's Lab, Power Puff Girls, and Johnny Bravo were some of my favorite shows to watch. It was cool being a kid at that time in the world of television. Those characters gave me an escape from my chores, spelling test, and teachers constantly calling my mom about my behavior.

Today television is far from what I knew 15 years ago. Everything is live action and real people. I hated shows with real people until I was 12. Today all I see is teen stars talking boy business and becoming sex symbols when their shows go off air (Hi Miley). Dee Dee and Bubbles never were the talk of the town because of racy photos. It's almost as if childlike innocence doesn't exist anymore in children's programming. I know these shows are intended for teens but I'm sure  8 year old kids are watching this stuff too.

I don't know how to feel when a kid watches t.v. today and all they see is kissing and crushes and drama. ABC Family is the worst. Some of the shows I've seen on there are frightening. I don't think that Secret Life show is appropriate for a 12 year old girl to watch. What happened to Kim Possible and Penny Proud? Sure they had crushes, but it was animated and rarely the main focal point of the show if ever. Programming isn't very family oriented when high school kids have sex and get pregnant. (change your channel's name at least)

I would just like to know will my future daughter or daughters be subjected to images of teen stars on television kissing boys and being caught up on boys, to being on tabloids because of a drunken night on the strip at 17. The real question is can kids be kids today, or is television and other media outlets making them grow up too fast?