For a lot of males on campus, The Learning Channel's hit show"Trading Spaces" is a guilty pleasure. For females, however, thepleasure is quite innocent.
Regardless, everyone is watching this show, born from theBritish show "Changing Rooms." It has taken America by storm.
Even I, an avowed hater of "reality" television, enjoy watchingtwo groups of people overhaul their best friends' junkiestrooms.
I love carpenter Ty's caustic wit, designer Doug's blatantdefiance and host Paige Davis' perkiness.
But one aspect of "Trading Spaces" -- and all "reality" TV forthat matter -- kills me.
TLC has aired 149 episodes of the show, now in its fourthseason. For those who are unfamiliar with the concept, $2,000 isspent in every episode: one grand on each room.
Some quick math shows you that "Trading Spaces" has spent$298,000 remodeling America's rooms. This does not include therecent "100 grand" episode, in which each designer could spend upto $50,000 on the room.
Now, the show has spent nearly $400,000 renovating homes thatare middle class at worst. Meanwhile, people are living inone-bedroom apartments, run-down housing or on the streets allacross America.
That $400,000 spent on "Trading Spaces" (not to mention spinoffsand rip-offs of the show) could have built at least five Habitatfor Humanity houses, in case you are scoring at home.
Add "Trading Spaces Visits the Projects" to the list of"reality" shows I wouldn't mind seeing. Spend that cash on peoplewho could use it.
While we're on the topic, here are some other"reality"-television ideas:
"Who Wants to Marry a Single Mom?" -- Let's find a couple ofmothers working three jobs to raise their children. Then, get agroup of rich guys to spend a month trying to sweep them off theirfeet and into the lap of luxury.
"While You Were Out" -- Go into a disadvantaged family's homewhile the family is at school and work. Buy them a computer (withInternet access), new clothes and a stack of books. Then see iftheir education goes any smoother.
"Temptation Island" -- An assembly of college athletes aretempted by agents, bookies, "friends of the program" and othercoaches looking to make some cash and steal a young man's innocenceat the same time. The person who beats the temptation gets a newHummer and a professional contract.
"Survivor: College Edition" -- A group of 15 students who aretrying to pay their way through college get to take one class forthree credit hours and a million dollars. People can be voted offfor sleeping in class and not showing up for group projects.
I'm not going to stop watching "Trading Spaces." I enjoy theshow, but I hate to see people who have all the advantages I'vebeen blessed with get more than they need while others suffer.
Now that's the real world.
Write to Jay at jdkenworthy@bsu.edu
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
