I do not understand the appeal of reality TV. Or Gogglebox. Or the endless cycle on YouTube of watching people watch other people do stuff. Or pretty much anything with ‘celebrity’ in the title, often because after the first few series the definition of ‘celebrity’ has been stretched to include those YouTube people who watch other people do stuff. I’d say I’m a TV snob except for my fondness for You’ve Been Framed, especially when small children fall off stuff.
Come Dine With Me has its moments but it’s excruciatingly arch at times and occasionally punches down at participants. I did binge Celebrity MasterChef in Wales and even had a favourite contestant, but again the definition of celebrity was somewhat elastic. I was pleased that my favourite won, and I love Grace Dent in a sort of Gillian-Anderson-with- a-spoon way. I envy her wardrobe and her love of puddings. I liked the disasters on this as much as the spectacles.
This week I was persuaded to watch Celebrity Traitors, however – they had me at Michael Sheen, obviously, and added Richard E. Grant just to make sure. Grant off EastEnders is giving excellent comedy value with his paranoid antics – the TV tough guy who freaked out when tiny Bella Ramsay put a hat on him. Jerry Hall is so far pointless. Claudia’s fringe is, as always, excellent and the whole thing is camp as Christmas.
It’s passed me by until now, but as a single parent I have more control of the remote than in the past. The other parent only spends two evenings a week at home, so the power is with me. The Things are usually binging something, and sometimes we’ll watch a film together (Say Anything and Practical Magic this week) but often they’re doing their own stuff.
I’m not entirely sure I understand what’s going on, of course. Richard E. Grant was apparently not supposed to get overexcited and tell everyone he was a traitor and is now trying to convince everyone it was a cunning double bluff. I think Joe Lycett is onto him, however. It seems like a very elaborate way to do a murder mystery evening, really, but it’s fun doing it as a watchalong.
I’ve also been watching NFL. Yes, really.
If you catch me watching Celebrity Love Island or Married At First Sight though… shoot me.
Things making me happy this week
- Thing 2 starting an apprenticeship. We commuted together on Saturday!
- Crocheting a mad scarf
- Dog sitting on Saturday night watching Shrinking
- The prospect of a crochet Muppet Christmas Carol book. Yes, I preordered…
- The latest episode of Ted Lasso which was sad but beautiful
- Being part of the launch of this year’s Big Draw event…so much joy and colour!
Today I have nothing to do except laundry… and maybe a good nap.
Kirsty x
What I’ve been reading:
A Court of Frost and Starlight – Sarah J. Maas (Audible)
The Red Queen – Martha Grimes
