We all see the news on television or online and everyone is commenting on the terrible things happening in the world and in our own country almost daily, as well as the political divisiveness we're all living with. I don't need to add my voice to those issues, especially since I don't have any solutions to offer.
But lately I feel like we are reaching the bottom of the barrel culturally and I think we're gradually being exposed to TMI from so many different sources.
My husband and I enjoy watching HBO and SHOWTIME series. We usually start with dinner trays on our bed and catch up on the latest episode of HOMELAND or JOHN OLIVER. We watch almost every decent movie that appears in the line-up on Pay-Per-View and stream NETFLIX series like THE NIGHT OF and THE KILLING and anything else that's new and engaging. Being a Kiefer Sutherland fan, I'm partial to DESIGNATED SURVIVOR but my husband isn't a fan. And I really liked BIG LITTLE LIES. If we're binge watching, we usually pause for a few minutes and George makes a tray of coffee, cut up oranges and a cookie for each of us. It's a really relaxing way to end the day together.
I don't believe I'm a prude and other than shows that have too many bloody scenes or over the top violence, I'm good to go as long as what we're watching is entertaining and not a western. But I do think generally, we've all become used to watching things that 15 or 20 years ago would have made us too uncomfortable to watch in mixed company. Kind of like what I felt when the first feminine product commercials aired while I was watching TV with one of our teenage sons or the ridiculous commercials for the wet wipes that can clean your "bum" so you can go commando. I don't know about you, but I've never hoped to go commando.
Last night I caught the season opener of BILLIONS. I like the actors in this show and I like the story line. BUT...and it's a BIG BUT, I really didn't need to see Maggie Siff and Paul Giamatti acting out their escalating dominatrix fantasy. We had a little insight into their sexual games before, including her character stepping on his chest with her stilettos or putting a lit cigarette out on his chest, but this one was truly porn with clothing. She's beating him with a paddle while he begs her to describe her sexual dalliance in detail with a younger man while they were separated. In a couple more seasons will we see her stepping on his face and gouging his eyeballs out with her heels?
I don't believe in censorship but we've come a long long way from Desi and Lucy sleeping in separate beds and I'm not so sure we needed to head all the way down the road to Sodom and Gomorrah.
Moving on to print. A couple of months ago I was reading PEOPLE Magazine. On the "CHATTER" page, actress Tiffany Haddish stated that she pooped in the shoes of someone she was involved with who cheated on her. Why in the world would anyone in their right mind do this or want anyone (let alone EVERYONE) to know that she did this? What a thing to be famous for! I wondered at the time if the magazine printed this as a PSA to warn off anyone who was thinking of dating Ms. Haddish.
In the recent issue of PEOPLE there is a page devoted to celebrity romances called HEART MONITOR. The magazine lets you know who's engaged, getting married or splitting up. A couple who I never heard of, but who appear in their photo to be a man (Nico) and a woman (Bethany) tied the knot in NYC on March 9th. The couple identify as "queer and polyamorous and wore genderblending ensembles that incorporated both dresses and pants."
The definition of polyamory is the practice of, or desire for, intimate relationships with more than one partner, with the knowledge of all partners. It has been described as "consensual, ethical and responsible non-monogamy". Really?? I am forced to add a large and loud "LOL" here! Okay, so from what the couple said, they consider themselves queer (their word choice). She likes women and he likes men. No problem there. And they plan on being non-monogamous swingers right from the wedding ceremony, so why did they get married at all? Did one of them need the other one's medical benefits? And 'responsible non-monogamy' is an oxymoron if there ever was one!
But the bigger question is why in the world PEOPLE Magazine chose to celebrate the marriage of these two almost-celebrities? If they were going for thought provoking, then give them a great big BINGO! They sure got my attention. Also the realization that despite the fairly decent book reviews offered, there is absolutely no reason to renew my subscription.
George Kimmerle, thank you for the sketch.
