Welcome back to Finish The Sentence Friday Blog Hop (FTSF). We give you a sentence and you finish it (however long or short you’d like). Write a post and link it up, or if you don’t blog, feel free to finish the sentence in the comments for everyone to see.
Your humble hosts:
Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic (Twitter, Facebook)
Kate’s Can I Get Another Glass of Whine (Twitter, Facebook)
Stephanie’s Mommy For Real (Twitter, Facebook)
Dawn from Dawn’s Disaster (Twitter, Facebook)
Now for Some Rules:
- Please Make Sure to Follow Your Hosts, If You Haven’t Already.
- Make Sure to Read and Comment on at Least Two of the Posts That Come Before Yours.
- Share Your Favorites on Facebook and/or Twitter Using the Hashtag #FTSF.
- Now Make Sure to Link Up Your Posts with This Week’s Prompt Below.
- Enjoy and Have Fun!!
This week’s sentence: “When it comes to reality TV shows, I…”
Next week’s sentence to finish: ”The most-memorable Valentine’s Day I ever had was…”
When it comes to reality TV shows, I have prided myself for not getting myself into them much at all. I actually felt when this craze or fad began that it was trying to systematically destroy the one TV genre I do love, which is sitcom TV. Yes, I love anything that will make me laugh and can sit watching old sitcom reruns for that mere fact. Give me Three’s Company, Happy Days or any cheesy 80s TV sitcom and I am in heaven! So, I pretty much Loathed and despised reality TV for this reason.
I will admit, I watched one reality show with The Real World, when they were in San Francisco, mainly because of a guy named Puck, who was too horrendous not to watch. He was a train wreck just waiting to happen, but after that season, I swore off reality TV until I was 23 weeks pregnant with Lily and on bedrest.
What happened to make me watch reality TV at that point? Well, I was home to view TV all day and night, because of being on bedrest. I love reading, but after awhile I could all do so much of that too. So about 3 or 4 days into being on bedrest, I put the TV on during the afternoon hours.
Big mistake, because they were re-running a show on Bravo called The Real Housewives of DC. I left it on for a few minutes. As crazy and as bad, trashy TV as it was, I was hooked. I remember thinking that one show wouldn’t kill me.
Wrong again, because once that ended, I flipped the channel and found MTV’s Teen Mom, where crazed Amber and company were wreaking their own late teen kind of antics along with having babies (thus the title). Seriously, if Puck was train wreck these girls were that and then some, but again I got sucked right in (because I too was pregnant and there was these cute babies with crazed mommas!).
When that was over, I didn’t even have to switch channels to find a re-run of America’s most hated guidos run amok on “The Jersey Shore”. I left it for a minute and found myself listening to the likes of Snooki and “The Situation” talk trash, as well as the on again/off again Ronnie and Sammi Sweetheart going at it for 1,234,567,890 time. It was better than WWE Smackdown and you guessed it, this pregnant hormonal bed ridden soul was sold.
God help me, but I found myself DVRing and watching these shows, plus a few others too. For a month of bedrest, I watched absolute garbage and trash. Believe it or not, they made bedrest that much more tolerable, but I think I may have lost a few brains cells along the way, because I actually found myself laughing at these Italian meatheads (I am Italian and sorry to say they are meatheads–even if they weren’t Italian they would be meatheads!).
By the end of my one month’s bedrest, I felt as though, I would need rehab from this or at least an intervention. But I will say this, after my bedrest was indeed over, I watched a few of these shows here and there, but lo and behold I must be a bit stronger than I originally thought, because I got over my addiction pretty quickly. However, the only problem is that I have now have two little girls, who hog our TVs and make me watch Mickey’s Christmas (a month later and we are still watching this one, thanks Lily!) and Disney Princesses (because Cinderella is lonely if we don’t watch her yet again). When all this momma wants is to laugh a bit and watch good old fashioned sitcoms! Anyone??
Now tell me, in the comments, about your when you were younger (you’re in good company). Or write a post and link it up! And be sure to share my story with all your FB and Twitter friends. We’ll also be featuring some of our favorites on Twitter with the Hashtag #FTSF and our Facebook pages too, so make sure to follow. Don’t forget to grab a button and put it somewhere people will see. We’d are hoping to keep this hop going strong and continue this for a long time to come!


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Erin Callaway says
You have to love Jersey Shore!!!!
Janine Huldie says
It kind of scared me that I did, lol!! 🙂
Angel Shrout says
I watch NO reality TV.. unless you count the shows on discovery health like Real stories of the ER and trauma and of course deliver me the baby show and babies and yeah pretty much anything on there.. Other than that kind of show just not into it. Give me The Cosby show and I can watch FOR HOURS I just adore Bill Cosby and his ability to make a family show that draws you in because he shows it is not about what side of the tracks you are on, human nature is human nature and kids are kids period.
Janine Huldie says
Angel, I am with you on The Cosby Show. I watched that show when it was first on, reruns and actually still watch it if I find it on, because it always did make me laugh and truly still does 🙂 🙂
Kat Biggie says
I swore I would never watch reality shows… and now it's almost ALL I watch! I am addicted to the Bachelor/Bachelorette and the Biggest Loser. I also really got into Tori and Dean for a couple of seasons… and I love the Amazing Race!
Janine Huldie says
So did I Alexa and then bedrest happened, but raising two kids and working a ton now has left so little time for it and has been a good rehab of sorts, lol!! 🙂
Stephanie Sprenger says
I loved when you said "America's most hated guidos run amok…" HA! I can't imagine being on bedrest for a month, and I too would have watched terrible TV all day long!
Janine Huldie says
Lol, I couldn't help it and secretly that show was a lot of fun to watch, but I knew I needed help when I started thinking that!! 🙂
kenyagjohnson says
Can't you still smell Puck if you think about it really hard? Yuck!!! And he was mild compared to others of today. The key is not to start looking at anything. Because they end in such a way that you want to see what's going to happen next time. I know bed rest wasn't wonderful – but that's is the best time to watch junk on tv. As for the current funny sitcoms, do you watch Modern Family?
Janine Huldie says
Oh so can still smell Puck if I try really hard, lol!! I still remember the scabs, too. And I do watch Modern Family every week (thank god for my DVR) and love it. Seriously between Cam and Gloria they never miss a beat with making me laugh!! 🙂
kenyagjohnson says
Cam is my favorite character. That's a good once a week laugh. His forced wedding on Lily was hilarious.
Janine Huldie says
Omg, I know I laughed so hard I was crying. Seriously, just about anything he says or does cracks me up!! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
So true about bed rest and I found myself truly enthralled with every crappy reality show, because I had nothing better to occupy my time. That said, I love that I am not he only one that love 80's sitcoms. And I too can totally sing the whole Three's Company song and have in front of my kids 🙂 🙂
Cyndi says
Okay I have NOT been able to tie in a photo but…I'll do a mini post here. 😀
When it comes to reality TV shows, the dramatic overtures make my eyes twitch. I can't watch them.
Now, once upon a time, I would watch the auditions for American Idol because I couldn't believe some of the people who would try. It's always good to have a dream, but did those people REALLY have no idea they couldn't carry a tune or that their crazy personalities were warped?
After a couple seasons of watching the auditions, though, I couldn't take it anymore. Haha.
It's not that I think I'm above anyone or anything, it's just that, like you, I'd rather have a sitcom that's worthy of fun, mindless entertainment OR entertainment that provides funny dinner conversation later.
My husband and I love to watch Seinfeld re-runs while we're making dinner and we're always talking about George and Jerry and Elaine and the crap they do, hahaha.
Of course, I like to pretend I dance like Elaine.
Maybe that could be a reality show, LOL.
Janine Huldie says
Lol, Cyndi. I still love Seinfeld and also watch the re-runs quite often. As for Elaine her dancing probably could have spawned a reality show from that!! Great mini and thanks for stopping by!! 🙂
Emily Cappo says
I'm so with you on this — would much prefer a sitcom over a reality TV show. It's funny because in my FTSF post, I used the term "train wreck" too when watching the people on those shows…it's strange how the shows are such trash but so addicting at the same time. Great post and I'm going to vote for you again now!
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks Emily and I just read your post and loved it. I did notice the same term used and I think we just can't help, but describe these people and these shows this way. That said I am happy to know I am not alone in my love of sitcom TV. Also, I vote for you daily always, too 🙂
Bill says
No tv and I wouldn't watch them if I had one. It is silliness in my humble opinion, but it is also a reflection of this society and I just don't like it. 🙂 Have a great weekend my friend.
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Bill and I hope you too have a great weekend!! 🙂
Vicki M. Taylor says
I never heard of "Finish the Sentence Friday". I've just joined the Five Minute Friday linky. Will have to see if I can fit this one in too. It looks like fun. Loved your post. The only reality TV I watch is on the History Channel and Discovery Channel. Things like Dual Survivor, PawnStars, and American Pickers. Nothing with drama or over the top "acting" just for the sake of being on camera. I mourned the loss of sit-com TV when the writers were on strike and we were all force fed channels full of reality TV. I'll take Grey's Anatomy any day.
Janine Huldie says
Vicki, we just started this at the beginning of this year, but it runs every Friday. Each week we finish one sentence and always give you the sentence for the following week as well. Next week's sentence is: "The most-memorable Valentine’s Day I ever had was…”. I hope you will try to link up with us for sure and look forward to seeing you here in the upcoming weeks!! 🙂
Rachel Harper says
The Real World is a gateway drug, now I'm full fledged addict
Janine Huldie says
Oh Rachel. Don't I know. Thanks!! 🙂 🙂
Jane Marsh says
I love sitcoms too. Do you rock on How I Met Your Mother? And the older Big Bang Theory? My faves. Thoroughly enjoyable post.
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Jane!! I used to watch How I Met Your Mother, but stopped two seasons ago. I still watch and love The Big Bang Theory, because I truly need my Sheldon fix, lol!! 🙂 🙂
Kera says
I applaud you for staying away from all the trashy TV! Me on the other hand…it's kind of my life source lol. Especially when I'm bored. Reality TV and the DVR, I don't know what I'd do without them! I do love a few sitcoms though, like The Middle and Modern Family. As long as they're funny. I just can't get into all those drama shows that bloggers talk about all the time though!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks and I am so not one for dramas either, Kera. I can't sit that long and get bored kind of easily. I have watched a few, but in the end I usually give up, because I just don't have the time or patience to deal with it. I do very much love The Middle and Modern Family. Watch both of them every week on my DVR. I also recently got into 1600 Penn on Thursday nights and is really funny (if you are looking for a good laugh!!).
Kera says
I used to be into dramas like ER {sad when that went off the air} and Grey's Anatomy, until it started to get dumb, then I stopped watching it. I get annoyed when things never seem to work out how I want them to, which happens ALL the time in dramas! I'll have to check out 1600 Penn sometime! Maybe the Hubs will even get into it with me.
Janine Huldie says
I too used watch more dramas and even watch Desperate Housewives for a bit and I do watch Dallas now (I might have lied just slightly, but swear that is the only one!). But, for the most part, I just can't sit long enough anymore for that. Kevin and I watch 1600 Penn together and he loves it. So, I think your Hubs would like it too 🙂 🙂
Michelle Liew says
I am not too big a fan of these because there isn't much reality in them, but the antics are terribly entertaining. I can understand why they hook! Will be sharing my take on them tomorrow.
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Michelle and look forward to reading your take tomorrow for sure!! 🙂
The Next Step says
hahahhaa, that is so sweet that "Cinderella is lonely if we don't watch her" – I love that!
I can totally see how you get sucked in during bedrest – I'm glad you broke the addiction! I totally agree with you about it being trash TV – but of course, I have now found MY vice in that genre. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Lol, Lori (I know all from your post of you latest addiction!). Seriously though, I guess I should be thanking my kids from helping to not feed this habit even if I have to watch Cinderella and Mickey Mouse over and over!!
Lanaya @ Raising Rea says
hahaha … I again am watching Sofia … for the love of the DVR!
When it comes to reality TV shows I don't watch too many but I will watch The Bachelor because the drama is too hard to resist, Millionaire Matchmaker because even the rich are STUPID and The Amazing Race because I totally want to go on that show! {Wanna be my partner??}
xoxo
Lanaya
Janine Huldie says
Lol, I would so be your partner, but am so not in shape enough and would probably get killed or at least break my neck doing that!! Seriously, though we too were watching Sofia this morning and they are getting addicted to that show now, too. But I guess it could be worse, because it is a cute show with a moral to wrap up nicely in the end (can you tell how many times I have watched her now to know this!!). xoxxo 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Oh so true Julie and thanks for saying that 🙂 🙂
Chris HyeThymeCafe says
Had to laugh about your rehab comment. That's exactly what I said. Give it enough time and there will probably be a reality show about viewers rehabbing from watching too much. I have to admit to being a junkie – mostly for the cooking shows. I think that most of the reality shows came about several years back when there was that big ongoing strike in the entertainment industry. It was a way for the networks to replace everyone – and CHEAP for them to produce. It snowballed after that. Some are interesting, some are boring, and some are oh my gawd awful! 😉 [#FTSF]
Janine Huldie says
Chris, I literally just came from your post and just want to say I again very much enjoyed it. That said, I did my time in rehab (I know I just love that phrase here) and hopefully I can stay out of harm's way now!! 🙂
Azara says
Do you watch Modern Family? That's an awesome sitcom! Thanks for co-hosting,
Janine Huldie says
My pleasure Azara and I love Modern Family. I watch it every week!! 🙂
Kristi Campbell says
So funny. My kid is addicted to Snoopy's Christmas special. I might start actually watching reality TV if I could ever have it on and own the remote. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Kristi, I am so there with you and it is February 1st and Lily still watches Mickey Saves Santa!! No joke, lol!! 🙂
Ruchira says
haha…sure after going through that kinda torture…I would also love watching reality tv shows.
Voted for ya!
Janine Huldie says
Lol, Ruchira and I guess I kind of deserved it, but still so very bad!! Thanks seriously for the votes as always 🙂
Christy Birmingham says
I admit to loving reality shows that have singers and dancing too. American Idol, the Voice, DWTS… love them all! I just voted for you on the contest above and cross my fingers for you to win it all 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Oh you are too sweet Christy and thank you for saying that. I truly appreciate how kind you always are to me 🙂 🙂
Maggie Amada says
If I were stuck for a month in bed, I would watch ANYTHING and probably get hooked on Spanish soap operas. When I was younger, those were my weakness. They are just as tragic as reality TV, except there is always a happy ending.
Janine Huldie says
Maggie, you sound like my husband, but he used to watch them for all the "hot women". His words!! But seriously, i just couldn't help myself, lol!! 🙂
Rachel Demas says
If you're on bedrest, you deserve any amount of trash tv you can take!! I've had my bouts of addiction with tv too. I know it's no good for me (or my family). So, like you, I try to keep it in check. Right now, we DON'T have a tv! I don't miss it. But, like you said, if it were here and on, I'd find myself magically drawn to it…
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Rachel and glad to know it isn't just me on being easily addicted if I allowed myself. I have been there and done that as all can see from my post, lol!!
Kimberly Haugh Yates says
OMG, I'd forgotten Puck–he was 8 kinds of crazy and he seems tame in comparison to reality "stars" now!
Janine Huldie says
I know Kimberly, so true. But I still will never forget him, because he really crazy, but fun to watch!!
Melanie Chisnall says
Oh nooooo Janine! Teen Mom and Jersey Shore?! LOL! Okay, I admit I used to be a little hooked on Teen Mom a few years ago, or what's that other one? Sixteen and Pregnant. Gosh, some of the shows these days. But, we lap them up. Ei ei ei. 😉 Great post!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Melanie and I confess here and now, yes I did watch all of the above, but my excuse is bed rest and I am sticking to it, lol!! Seriously thanks for commenting and for linking up, too 🙂
Joan Robertson says
Hi Janine! this was a great read, especially for me as I know next to nothing about TV realities! It's fun to read about what I've missed but I wouldn't change my life at all! Have a good day!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Joan and very happy to share a bit about this. Glad you enjoyed it and hope you too have a great day!! 🙂
Misty MeetTheCottons says
Ha! the link worked! awesome!
Janine Huldie says
Ok, thanks Misty 🙂