Spring Break
Beware of 'normal person' taking over today's media
Alex McElroy
Issue date: 5/14/09 Section: Forum
There seems to be a trend developing in the mass media market: the proliferation of the normal person. For years I've relied on television to tell me how to act, what to wear and when to crack a witty joke, but that dependence might be reaching its conclusion.
Lately, whenever I watch TV, all I see are people like me. Sure, I might not be a C-rate star with a hidden passion for televised dancing, but in due time, I could be.
Contestants are becoming like tin cans: recycled for numerous purposes. If all it takes is an application and a video promising a penchant for love affairs and unnecessary obscenities to make it on Big Brother, then what's going to keep me from riding every wave in the reality ocean?
Don't believe in the revival of the normal person? Look no further than this newspaper's archive for evidence.
Just two weeks ago there was a front-page article devoted to Virginia Raffaele, who was flown to New York to appear on The Tyra Banks Show just because she somewhat resembled Kim Kardashian - the theme of the show was look-a-likes.
Why even pay attention to a look-a-like? Maybe when people ask for your autograph only to realize that you really aren't Elvis, then yes, I recognize the embarrassment. Other than that, you'd think looking like someone slightly famous would have little bearing on one's life. But not anymore!
Nowadays there isn't a thing anyone can do to keep from being a star.
What's that, Mr. Lumberjack, you say you're never going to fulfill those prime-time aspirations of childhood? Here comes "Ax Men."
So you're an 18 to 25-er with a good body, poor intellect and a tendency to argue over who you may have hooked up with? "The Real World" is an old favorite looking for your services.
See, there are tons of ways to get on TV. Look at English major Geoff Robinson who, like Rafaelle, graced the front page of The Barometer. While Geoff wasn't whisked away to the big city because of similar facial characteristics, he did make it on a reality show for the best-of-the-best video game players in the country.
Lately, whenever I watch TV, all I see are people like me. Sure, I might not be a C-rate star with a hidden passion for televised dancing, but in due time, I could be.
Contestants are becoming like tin cans: recycled for numerous purposes. If all it takes is an application and a video promising a penchant for love affairs and unnecessary obscenities to make it on Big Brother, then what's going to keep me from riding every wave in the reality ocean?
Don't believe in the revival of the normal person? Look no further than this newspaper's archive for evidence.
Just two weeks ago there was a front-page article devoted to Virginia Raffaele, who was flown to New York to appear on The Tyra Banks Show just because she somewhat resembled Kim Kardashian - the theme of the show was look-a-likes.
Why even pay attention to a look-a-like? Maybe when people ask for your autograph only to realize that you really aren't Elvis, then yes, I recognize the embarrassment. Other than that, you'd think looking like someone slightly famous would have little bearing on one's life. But not anymore!
Nowadays there isn't a thing anyone can do to keep from being a star.
What's that, Mr. Lumberjack, you say you're never going to fulfill those prime-time aspirations of childhood? Here comes "Ax Men."
So you're an 18 to 25-er with a good body, poor intellect and a tendency to argue over who you may have hooked up with? "The Real World" is an old favorite looking for your services.
See, there are tons of ways to get on TV. Look at English major Geoff Robinson who, like Rafaelle, graced the front page of The Barometer. While Geoff wasn't whisked away to the big city because of similar facial characteristics, he did make it on a reality show for the best-of-the-best video game players in the country.
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