Thoughts from the Shelf

I don’t mind admitting when I have been suckered in to a television show, as was the case in the summer with an alternative show One Tree Hill, after all there are prices to pay to keep the peace. Although I find the endless fight for control of the evening TV schedule more tiresome than actually watching shows that I detest, there is a hidden reason to fight on, and that is you actually end up liking shows you previously thought of as trashy. An embarrassing dilemma.

This was the case with the latest series of ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’, another reality television show that in my opinion has run its course and is just a cheap way of guarantying high ratings. Unfortunately there are far too many similar reality TV programs dominating program listings that in my opinion stifle creative programming. For me seeing these programs scheduled day in day out only boosts the appeal of the government funded broadcasting agency we have in BBC that can afford to sacrifice (or rather risk) guaranteed viewing figures in return for quality programming.

That said, (and I say this bowing my head), I experienced first hand how easy it can be to become engrossed in these programs. After giving up the fight for the remote on no more than two occasions I found myself strangely curious about the background of these ‘celebrities’ that I had never heard of.

My next step was Google and a quick search for Janice Dickinson (eventually finishing runner up), an America ex-supermodel who had returned to fame allegedly on another reality TV series in the State ‘Americas Next Supermodel’. My how her ‘Oh Man!’ American catchphrase sent chills down my spine but still I found myself reading articles about her claims of over 1000 one night stands, paternity tests for Sly Stallone and rumblings with Dulf Lundren. I couldn’t help but think whether this is what made Rocky V such a good film

Next up was Cerys Matthews, who only after hearing her sing a acoustic song in the jungle did I recognise her voice, non other than the lead singer of Catatonia. Cerys then went on to develop a close relationship with Marc Bannerman, who again I had no idea who he was but looked somewhat familiar. A Google query later and I found it was that guy who played Gianni di Marco in EastEnders in the days the Italian brother him and Bepe ruled the square in mafia gangster style.

This said they were not all the so called celebrities were completely foreign to me, and I did recognise Gemma Atkinson for one, Rodney Marsh two and thirdly Anna Ryder Richardson for some strange reason.

With all this said it wasn’t the celebrity status of these people I found interesting, but more my inquisitive nature of finding out who these supposedly well known people actually were that got in me tuning in each night. It turns out I’m not the only one either with over 10 million viewers regularly tuning in.

I am however relieved the series has finished with Christopher Biggins the eventual winner as I feared I may be stuck wasting 45mins a day forever. I shall put up a stronger fight for the remote when the eighth series comes round.