Dancing With the Stars Fills Our Hearts

I'm not sure how many people my age actually tune into Dancing With the Stars on ABC every week, but I am sure that it has become one of the biggest staples of our culture within the past few years. 

Why?

Personally I believe this is because everyone can watch it. Literally, everyone. It's a show that you don't have to be afraid to turn on in front of your young children, and it's a show that even the elderly can tune into and enjoy. It's the most simple formula for a television show, but for some reason it's been working. 

I think that our culture finds it a breath of fresh air, amid all of the police and hospital dramas. The reason I love it is because it includes dance, and anything including dance I'm sure to tune into. But for many adults, they enjoy Dancing With the Stars because it just gives off a happy atmosphere. I don't know how you can watch the glitzy sets and full orchestra and not feel happy. 

Besides, with this years finale having so many audience votes that the winning margin was only 1%, it is obvious people don't just like watching it, they like being involved with it. Interactive shows have become huge, and Dancing With the Stars is no exception. Knowing that you have a part in deciding the winnter just encourages more viewers. 

Plus, there is something endearing about celebrities (or has-been celebrities) getting so into a competition where the only prize is a gaudy mirror ball trophy. True, it has been known to boost otherwise stagnant careers, but for the most part it appears that the stars really enjoy the experience and that pulls in viewers as well. You can feel their vulnerability and therefore feel like you can connect with them in ways you would be able to if they weren't on the show.

Tune in next fall for the next season of DWTS...personally I don't know if I'll make it until then!

Vintage Pop Culture?

 

I've been told for years that the things I find so fashionable now have already been worn...and worn better...in other decades. Adults seem to tell kids this all the time and I can't count the amount of times my own mother has told me this. Flared jeans so reminiscent of bell-bottoms from the 1970's, capris look just like "pedal-pushers" from the 1960's, and the bob hairstyle similar to the look flappers went for in the 1920's. 

In fact, our world seems to be in the midst of a throwback era...movies, fashion, and popular fads are all reverting to past decades and creating a new kind of vintage pop culture.

Star Trek, Transformers,  and 3-D movies are making a come back. Trekkies of the world, unite as the iconic television show and movie franchise that started in the 1960's, has become the biggest movie in theaters this week. Transformers, the popular toys that originated in the 198o's have become a hugely successful series of movies starring some of the biggest stars of today. And 3-D movies, that became popular in the 1950's are also making a comeback with popular kids movies being available in 3-D like Up and the Jonas Brothers new movie.

Vintage fashion is exploding, with vintage style coats, dresses, and hats that all relate to past decades, especially the 1950's and 60's. Hairstyles and make-up trends also relate to past eras with the bob being a trendy cut and bright red lipstick and "cat-eye" eyeliner being prevalent in make-up today. Also, braids seem to be coming back into style along with a more natural face with less make up making a sort of hippie/bohemian style as well. 

It's very obvious when you walk into a girls dorm room that the 1950's and 1960's are important when you see the amount of Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and James Dean posters hanging on the walls. The glamour and elegance of that era is something that girls look up to and strive to gain in their own lives.

It can't be denied that we look and base fads on what was popular in the past...but lately it's become more and more obvious that we enjoy the fads of yesteryear quite a bit. I can't wait to look back on the 2000's and see if the ridiculous fads of our generation can make a comeback 50 years down the road and be as influential as the past is to us today.

Celebrites are REAL PEOPLE?

It is always only a matter of time before something sweet and innocent is twisted and sent into a tailspin right before the American public's eyes. It's a very common occurrence. Just look at the past few Miss America pageants (especially the most recent one with Miss Prejean's remark about "opposite marriage"...I'm not even going to comment on that...) and the teenage stars who go through naked photo scandals and ruin (or sometimes boost) their careers. 

I've become used to the crazy lives celebrities lead, but when these type of stories are plastered one every magazine cover and on repeat on E! News, and they DON'T involve what I would call celebrities...that's when I question what is going on?!

The example I'm going to use is Jon and Kate Plus Eight. You know, the couple who has a set of twins and sextuplets and their own show on TLC. The show that is loved by millions. Yet, when you think of celebrities, middle aged parents of eight don't pop into your mind right away. But I can't seem to get away from their faces when I walk into a grocery store, or turn on the television. 

Why? Just your average cheating scandal that involves a younger woman. 

At least, it would seem average if it was Lindsay Lohan or Angelina Jolie. But not this time...this time it's a seemingly normal suburban family. This time it's a seemingly REAL life. 

Besides the obvious questions, (like, Jon what in the world were you thinking?) I've come to the realization that we don't see celebrities as real. If I had a sister who was going through the same things Amy Winehouse or Britney Spears are going through, I would be much more inclined to be crying and stressed, rather than pointing and laughing like I do now. These celebrities are too far away from our reality to seem real. When, in reality, they are anything but fake.

If that wasn't enough to make your brain hurt, I'm going to leave you with a question.

SHOULD we take the time to realize that celebrities are real and feel sympathy for their problems...or is it a facet of their lifestyle that they chose and we should continue to fool ourselves into thinking they are our entertainment, and nothing else.

It's food for thought...