I’m on vacation.  I’m snowed in.  That can only mean only mean one thing right?  Teen Mom marathon! I have to admit I judged the show prematurely. I thought, ‘Who wants to see a show about a bunch of kids making stupid choices?” Well, turns out, I do.

If you haven’t seen the MTV show, it follows four teenage girls who were originally featured on the show 16 and Pregnant. Teen Mom shows how their lives have changed after giving birth, the relationships (or lack thereof) with their baby’s fathers, and how their parents are coping with the situation.

It’s so easy to sit back and judge these girls for their decisions and actions. Yes, Amber came off as a seriously crazy girl with major anger issues in need of medication. No, Maci shouldn’t have run off to Nashville after her new boyfriend she hoped to marry. Farrah obviously needs to continue with therapy and stop talking to her mother the way she does. And Catelynn, well, I love her so I don’t have anything bad to say about her. The point I want to make is, even though all these girls have issues that we saw them live through publicly, there is something special about this show and I’m thankful I watched it.

I give these girls credit. It takes guts to put yourself out there like that. While it isn’t as shocking today when a teenage girl gets pregnant, people still have a tendency to judge them and call them a slut even if they’ve only been with that one boy who they were in a relationship with. It also can’t be easy to make the decision to put your baby up for adoption, as Catelynn did, knowing that there will be people out there looking at you with disdain because, “How can you just give your baby away?” I’m giving credit where credit is due.

There was no shortness of drama on the show, which I’m sure was the attraction for most people, but there was also a lot to learn from the show. Farrah showed us that having a baby does not make you a grown up. She made some steps in the right direction by working and getting her own apartment, but her childish behavior with her mother showed she still had a lot to learn about life. Don’t get me wrong, her mother was not perfect, but I feel like she was trying to help. Maci made some impulsive decisions like moving to be closer to her boyfriend, but I felt that she showed maturity in putting her son first when meeting with the mediator and giving her son’s father an extra day of visitation. Catelynn showed us how unselfish the process of adoption really is. To look beyond your own personal wants and desires, and make the impossible decision to let someone else raise your child, was an amazing thing to watch. It was even more impressive, given her mother wasn’t on-board with the decision and reminded her on every possible occasion. And Amber. Yes, even Amber showed us something. It may not be what she wanted us to see about her, but she reaffirmed that just because you have a baby with someone, doesn’t mean you should be together.

I’m so glad I decided to give the show a chance, and I look forward to Teen Mom 2 which premieres on January 11th at 10pm. Here’s the trailer for the show…

So what do you think about Teen Mom? Have you watched it? Who was your favorite? What did you learn from watching the show? And do you think that shows like 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom will keep teens from getting pregnant? I would love to hear what you think. Leave a comment please!

Just my humble opinion…Pebbles

Looks like we have A Cleavage Controversy as Katy Perry’s boobs have been banned from Sesame Street.  In case you haven’t heard, Katy Perry was supposed to appear on the PBS show performing a kid-friendly version of her song Hot N Cold.  Well, that’s not going to happen after outraged parents complained about Katy’s choice of attire saying that her dress revealed too much cleavage.   Some parents even said their children were allegedly sexually aroused.   Hmmm, that is a moment that makes me happy I don’t have any kids.

Well, message boards all over the internet are jammed with differing opinions about The Great Cleavage Controversy, so I thought I would add my two cents.  First, let me say that I think the video is really cute, and Katy definitely has a personality that I think appeals to kids.  She comes off really sweet and fun, and teamed with Elmo, it’s a great combination.   While I do think that this would have affected parents more than the kids actually watching it,  I really do wish she would have covered up a little more.  I don’t consider myself a prude by any stretch of the imagination, but I have to say that for a family show, I think she could have chosen something a little less revealing.  I wish I had reasons a, b, and c to give you as to why, but I have to say that it’s just a gut feeling that I have about the situation.

The closest thing I can equate it to is going to a kids birthday party and there’s one parent who shows up with something a little too revealing.  No kid is going to be traumatized, and they’re going to care more about the cake and the clown, but for the occasion, it’s just not appropriate.

I’m not sure how Katy is feeling about the whole issue, but I’m hoping that she gets to re-shoot the video and that it will run on the show because it is really cute.

Just my humble opinion…Pebbles

What do you think about The Great Cleavage Controversy?  Do you think the whole thing is overblown, or that Katy should have covered up?  If you have kids, does it bother you?  Let me know by leaving a comment!  Thanks!

* Remember, your email address is never posted, just your name and comment.

Ahhhh…Fall.  There’s the nip in the air, the smell of fresh apples, the beautiful fall foliage, and the best part of all…Fall TV!  I have to admit I get a little too excited when this time of year comes around, and yes, I know I have a problem.  I watch WAY too much television!  That said, I thought I would share my personal Fall TV Lineup with you.  While other people spend their time planning Fantasy Football teams, I spend mine figuring out what shows I’m going to be watching or DVR’ing.  I do like football, but I really only watch my Patriots, so TV-watching is my sport of choice.  I have to figure out which shows from last season will make it back in the rotation, who’s getting cut this season, and which new recruits are worthy of making this season’s team.  So without futher adieu, I present to you, the starting lineup of the Pebbles 2010 Television Watching Season!

Monday Night

8pm – House (Fox) – How can you not love someone as wickedly brilliant as House?  Can’t wait to see what happens with Cuddy!

9pm – Gossip Girl (CW) – Yes, you will see that some of my show selections will have you thinking I’m actually a teenage girl.  Why do I love it so much?  Chuck and Blair!

Tuesday Night

8pm – The Biggest Loser (NBC) – I love Bob.  Jillian makes me crazy.  And I usually watch lying on the couch eating snacks.  Is there any other way?

9pm – Life Unexpected (CW) – One of the new shows I started watching last year.  I was so afraid it was going to get cancelled, but it didn’t!  Love the cast and bad boy Baze is a hottie!

10pm – The Good Wife (CBS) – Julianna Marguilles is amazing and this was another new show I added last year.  She plays a politician’s wife who gets cheated on.  Yeah, we’ve heard it all before, but the storylines and the acting are amazing.

Wednesday Night

8pm – Undercovers NEW (NBC) – One of the few new shows I’m going to give a shot.  I’m not really into spy shows, but Boris Kodjoe’s hotness is definitely worth a look.

9pm – Modern Family (ABC) – I never officially added this show to the rotation last year even though every time I saw it, I was laughing hysterically.  This year, it’s definitely in!

9:30pm – Cougar Town (ABC) – If you’re not watching because you think it’s just about older women going after younger guys, you will be missing out!  This is a VERY funny show with a phenomenal cast!  Give it a try.

10pm – Law & Order: SVU (NBC) – The only one in the L & O franchise I really got into.  Mariska Hargitay rocks!  Love her!

Thursday Night

8pm – Vampire Diaries (CW) – Yes I am one of those “vampire people.”  I’m a Twilight girl…love True Blood…and The Vampire Diaries is great as well.

9pm – Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – If I could only watch one show on television, this would be it!  Grey’s had the most intense finale last season and I can’t wait to see what happens this year at Seattle Grace!

10pm – Private Practice (ABC) – This show just barely made the cut, but I love Addison so much that I have to find out if she finally gets her happy ending.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights will be spent watching the shows I didn’t get to actually watch live because I had to go to bed early.  I do have to get up at 4am!  Thank God for DVR!

I also have to note that I’m a HUGE Top Chef fan so I’ll have to check out the new spinoff, Just Desserts.  I will also be watching Oprah’s Farewell Season, and her protege Nate Berkus’ new talk show.  I just adore him!

That’s my Fantasy TV Schedule.  What’s yours?  I would love to hear what your favorite shows are.  Leave me a comment and let me know!

Just my humble opinion…Pebbles

I have to admit I am not a fan of Jersey Shore.  I know it has become a huge pop phenomenon, but up to this point, I have refused to, what I call, “entertain the insane” by participating.  Until now.  I only watched part of one episode in the past and just couldn’t do it.  I’m like that with a lot of  reality show stars.  I admit it…I’m a hater when it comes to “celebrities” who are famous for nothing.

Well, I decided I’m going to put that all aside and start my own Jersey Shore Challenge and watch the new season that starts tonight.  The challenging part will not just be to watch the show, but to find out who my favorite Jersey Shore member is.  I’m going to try to set aside my previous opinions of the cast that they are ridiculous, no-talent, fame-whores,  look for the redeeming qualities, and by the end of the season tell you who my favorite cast member is. Check out the season premiere of Season 2 of Jersey Shore tonight at 10pm on MTV.

Do you have a  favorite Jersey Shore cast member?  Or are you like me and don’t watch the show?  Favorite Jersey Shore moment?  Let me know.  I would love to hear your comments!

Just my humble opinion,

Pebbles

If you had the chance to be on a reality show, would you do it?  I really and truly want and need to know…why would ANYONE want to be on a reality show these days?  Is it the desire for your 15 minutes of fame?  Is it that you’re bored?  Do you just not care what people think?  I’m not here to judge, but the more I see how crazy people look, the more I don’t understand.

I just finished watching the reunion show for the Real Housewives of New York, and yes I’m hanging my head in shame over that fact.  After watching the THREE-PART reunion, because they couldn’t fit all that drama into one show, I am even more confused as to why people do these shows anymore.  On this season of the show alone, we had: two previous close friends have their relationship dissolve, one woman in denial about a nervous breakdown, catty behavior from grown women that I don’t think is even seen in Junior High, and despite all of that, the desire to want to do it again!

I’m really just throwing the question out there because I don’t understand why, after seeing the fights, the cattiness, and the staged “reality,” I’m not getting how this benefits anyone’s life.  Sure, you’ll make a few bucks, of course people will know who you are, but is it worth it?  If it is, that’s fine, I would love to hear someone say that.  Is it a stepping stone to another career?  Tell me.  I really need to know.

It’s no secret that reality shows are extremely popular.  Personally, I’ve gotten a lot more selective about which ones I watch.  I started to look at how watching them affected me and it wasn’t pretty.  I specifically remember one season of The Bachelor when he didn’t pick the girl that I thought he should have, and was pissed for days!  I have since stopped watching that show, and most shows about anyone living in a house with a group of people for no particular reason, or trying to pick Mr. or Mrs. Right out of a group of pre-selected crazies.  Most of the time I watch the reality shows that most people would consider boring: Top Chef, Project Runway, The Biggest Loser, etc.  It’s TV, so of course there’s a little drama, but the drama is more of an extra than the star of the show.

I would love to hear from you.  After seeing what’s out there for reality shows, would you be on one if the opportunity arose?  Why would you do it?  And what would you be looking to get out of doing it?  Which show out there would you want to be on, or what show would you like to create for yourself?  Please leave me a comment.  I would love to hear your opinion.  For now…

Just my humble opinion,

Pebbles