In Australia we've fallen into line like sheep to create our own
version of Jersey Shore, The Only Way is Essex and Made in Chelsea.
There are
others, but you get what shows I'm talking about. Our version is called THE SHIRE. Named after an area of of our most beautiful coast.
These people are plucked from obscurity and some are very typical
young adults who, filled with the inexperience, insecurities and passions of
being young, do and say stupid things and make poor decisions for our viewing pleasure - and that makes great
TV.
These are the idiot years in our lives.
At twenty, I remember being stopped with a group of friends on a
road trip up Australia's east coast by police who had a drug tip off to look
out for our car. They found us on our way home. The dope was in the door panel
and screwed on tight and the only trouble we got in was when we were asked if
we were carrying "gear" and we pointed to our tennis racquets. They
ticked us off for being smart mouthed.
Almost from that day forward I've stayed
clear of drugs. Not for any valid reason. They never really did a lot for me
and when my ex was heavily into party helpers and would then spend the rest of
the week bitching at me, I decided drugs simply weren't for me.
My point is that we all do dumb stuff when we are young and many
of us, most of us, go on to have more than respectful lives. So I'm not down on
all these people within the spate of reality shows that are now rating so well,
in fact I'm making the point that we would all, at that age, come off as
irresponsible and stupid to some degree.
These people, if they play their opportunity well can turn
their reality stardom into a cash cow that can carry them a lifetime. Dare I
say the word Kardashian? So we should remember these people are not just being
filmed for entertainment, but because they agreed to have their lives
documented because they too see an enormous opportunity for wealth, fame or
both.
When one of these reality stars prove themselves to be the
worst amongst us, what should be do? Obviously this makes great viewing and we
watch in awe and with hope of seeing there demise in the same way that well
constructed drama characters draw an audience who love to hate.
Is this fair or just? Don't these people still end up getting
huge rewards for being disgraceful? What is a producer's responsibility to the
viewers over assigning such rewards and what are the viewers responsibilities
to validating them?
The new show in Australia is called the Shire. A few weeks
ago two female cast members of The Shire - Vernesa Toroman and
Sophie Kalantzis - were involved in a suspected knife attack outside a cafe in
Rhode and then just last night another cast member of the The Shire was charged
following an alleged homophobic attack that also involved two other cast members. Daniel
''Folkesy'' Folkes, 24, was arrested shortly before midnight after allegedly
urinating on a man while the two other cast members, aged 27 and 28, abused the
man with homophobic insults.
If I was producing this show I'd follow these arrests within the show through a
narrative of these people going to the court to face charges and their and
their family and friends thoughts and views on what they'd done. The moment
charges were proven I'd be filming the meeting between the cast member and the producers
of the show and airing their termination. At least it would show the producers
understand that there's a line to being young and stupid and just like in the
real world - if you cross it - you pay a severe and very real price and being
young and silly is no excuse for committing serious crimes.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/shire-star-charged-over-gay-attack-20120824-24sl3.html#ixzz24W9De8sy
Reviews: From Amazon
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Posted December 1, 2012
Great read.
A story filled with with love, hate, violence, peace and so much more. 538 pages of wondering what will happen
next. A FULL story from start to finish. Thanks to the author for sharing a great work with the readers.
Posted July 8, 2012
Couldn't put it down...
For this to have been a free book, it was wonderful. The author keeps you on the edge of your seat. I couldn't
put this down. I think this would make a great movie!
Posted April 20, 2012
Amazing
Perfectly written with great detail it was thought provoking and asked the fundemental question of would you
stick up for what you believed was right even if you would be killed for doing so.
Posted April 5, 2012
This book is AWESOME! it keeps you wanting to read the entire ti
This book is AWESOME! it keeps you wanting to read the entire time. It tells of 2 worlds, and both are
extremely unique. One of the best books I've ever read!
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