Too Real

I dreamt last night that Adrienne and Paul Nassif were overnight guest in my home. That's probably because I watched the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on Bravo before I went to bed. It's quite possible that I dreamt about them because I can most relate to the Nassif's, more than any of the other cast members on the show. They appear to be somewhat grounded, which is more than I can say for some of the other cast members.

Where do I start?

Let's start with Brandi Glanville. Bandi is the ex-wife of scumbag, cheater, actor Eddie Cibrian and the newest member of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast. Ever since Cibrian cheated on Brandi with country singer LeeAnn Rimes, his life is pretty much been the toilet. Save for the fact that his new wife LeeAnn's flush with cash, the guy would have no luck it weren't for bad luck. There's no denying that Brandi is smokin' hot! But on the end of "smoking hot" I feel I have to add "skank". I'm sorry, but the chick's a skank and there's really no better adjective to describe her. I also think she's using drugs more than frequently, a fact that she does not try to hide. But dang, I got a give her credit, I want to have her body when I come back in another life.

Then there's Kyle and Kim. Two sisters who are the blood related Aunts to Paris Hilton. At one time, in her youth, Kim was Disney royalty, but like most child stars, her fall from grace has been hard to say the least. Kim's a train wreck. She's so obviously abusing substances, that it's almost wrong to watch on television. The excuses, the lies, the lateness and the disappointment that her family endures is hardly tolerable. Knowing now that Kim has entered a rehab facility makes watching this take place even more poignant. Kyle keeps needling Kim and Kim keeps disappointing Kyle and everyone else. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what's going on here. Yet the entire cast only hints about the fact that something is wrong and they continue on with their scripted shooting schedule, so that everyone can make a paycheck.

The tragic figure of the entire cast is Taylor whose husband Russell committed suicide just days before September 5 Real Housewives of Beverly Hills television preview. That's too Real. These are real people dealing with real issues that are both serious and tragic. Last night we saw Taylor in the throes of the aftermath of the end of her marriage. Even her therapist told her to get out. He came right out and said, "You can't live like this any longer. It's time to make some tough decisions." We now know the result of that marital breakup; Russell suicide. There were allegations that some serious physical and mental abuse was taking place and there is a child involved.

The stuff is all too Real.

And we watch their lives play out in front of us on television for our personal entertainment. TV executives who exploit these characters and give them a vehicle to showcase their drama make millions and become celebrities themselves because they make Real their business.

I feed right into that business. I buy what they're selling hook, line, and sinker because we, as a whole, LOVE to watch. My dad always says," If you lived in a cul-de-sac and brought all of your problems into the center in a trash bag, then you put that trash bag into the middle with everyone else's problems; you'd sure as shit pick up your own problems and run." I think the Nassif family is benefiting from this way of thinking.

Because like the MTV show that trail blazed the way for all others always said, "to find out what happens... when people stop being polite... and start getting real"