We all have them, I mean we can try to deny, but it's one of those nasty little secrets we all keep about ourselves. I personally have many guilty pleasures; especially where television is concerned. But there is one specific train wreck I just can't turn away from...
The Kardashians. I know. Shoot me. I'm so bad that I even watch those stupid spin-off's. So-and-So Takes Miami. So-and-So Takes New York. So-and-So. I Am So-and-So. The list goes on.
Now bear in mind I'm not saying that I'm actually enjoying the shows, but they are visual crack. I mean, I'm not into reruns, but I do sometimes find myself jonesing for a fix and will turn on the network the Kardashian's built: E!
*Disclaimer: I always kinda liked E! The content in the beginning was far removed from the content of now, but things change. Point is, I am a long time E! fan. (Shout out AJ Benza!)
Anyway, let me get back to the point. The Kardashians. I get it that the women in the family want to be in the show. Actually for some, I kinda think it's a need -- a heartfelt need to have a camera on them at all times. Hell, there's a guy or two who make occasionally make themselves part of the storyline too, of course, but they never last too long. Scott gets props for making it the longest and continuing to come back for more!
But there is one reluctant Kardashian...Robert. Now I watched as this poor kid started what felt like a spiral. He became super self-conscious and made it crystal clear he didn't want to be part of the limelight as a full time storyline. I respect him for setting limits for himself. Of course, I'd be much more that respectful if he used that time to really find his happy place like his little sisters (Jenner, so Kardashian once removed) have, but when we next saw him, it was kinda weird. Not saying *he* was weird, saying *it* was weird.
As the story unfolded he was dating Chyna on the QT, next thing you know she's damn-near single-handedly making him whole again. He began to lose weight and he was showing signs of improvement in his psychological state. I even started to think about rooting for them. But that was before watching just a couple of episodes of their own show. (Very short lasted)
I'm not completely sure, but I do think she was pregnant then, I could be wrong. Not that that part matters. The part that matters is that we were given (an admittedly edited version) look at who they are as people...or perhaps I should say as a couple.
So why am I talking about the Kardashians today after it's been, like, forever since I've written anything? I'll explain. I don't get too much prime-time TV time lately. All my TV watching happens in the morning. Somewhere along the line yesterday, I heard that Robert posted offensive pictures of Chyna on Instagram or one of those sites.
Apparently this upset Chyna so much that she's gone to the courts for something--a restraining order, I think--against Robert, making what is typically a quiet train wreck more of a far-reaching one. You know, kinda like when Kim was robbed in Paris...real honest-to-God news networks making mention of it. Well, of course with Kim it was more than just a mention, and who's to say this doesn't escalate to that type of publicity either? Nothing would surprise me.
But the thing is this, he did post inappropriate pictures on social media. Not okay. But I think that we're looking at someone in trouble. At a minimum, he's depressed and doesn't have the tools to deal with his feelings. He has issues that aren't being addressed. Not properly anyway.
Call me a cynic about this if you want. I probably deserve it. But the thing is this, I feel for Robert. He was a kid literally thrown into an uncomfortable limelight shortly after losing the father he dearly loved. Since that time, aside from Bruce and for a short time Lamar, his was the only testosterone in that house and he was smothered by high achieving females who harped on his inability to find his fortune and try to catch up with them. There were quite a few times I really felt he was being bullied.
He tried too. Then when he couldn't handle the rejections he faced, he began to get depressed, and in his case, the visible self-medication was food. He no longer wanted to be shown on the show. He allowed himself to be heard, but he would very rarely go on camera, and when he did, he was CLEARLY self-conscious and uncomfortable. Where was the parenting and unconditional family love in that?
Sure, the kid was in his mid-to-late 20's but that doesn't mean that sometimes even older kids need extra attention...and not on camera, thankyouverymuch. Dragging his ass to family therapy while cameras roll -- no wonder he had his little breakdown. He needed help, not more publicity for his success and social media driven family.
Then he finds Chyna. Not one I would have personally chosen for him if I had such power, but still, he was really, really smitten. He clearly thought he had found "the one" (although the rest of us knew that it was going to end, and probably end badly, at that.) Through it all, it was tough to watch. Then the show ended. It had to. Nobody wants to listen to a hyper-hormonal half-craze scream at the boy-man who loves her beyond reason and be throw out of his own home every other week for an entire season. The guillotine blade was rising.
He wasn't prepared enough to be strong in the face of such a much stronger woman. Or it could have just been resignation on his part..."if she wants me to leave, I'll just leave." His life has revolved around strong ambitious women his entire life. I bet he's learned to just go with the flow for the sake of peace of mind.
Bottom line is I don't think he really gave thought to what he was doing in posting those pictures. At least not in the deep true core place inside healthy adults. I think he was being a petulant child who lashed out. Right now he's that little boy in the playground that sulks and throws a handful of sand ineffectually just because he doesn't know any other way of showing his frustration.
Now let's look at Chyna for a moment. That woman knew what she was getting herself into when she began to make a life with Robert. She knew he was broken and she even showed him that she could help fix him...when she wanted to, that is. She also knew he came from fame and more than likely quite a little bit of money too. So if things went south for her, she just got undeserved publicity, monetary support no doubt and another baby daddy. She was already looking at shiny skies even before this mess. Add this to the mixture?! I bet she feels like she won the lottery! She's now the conservatively dressed cover girl for cyber bullying.
Now the mommy in me comes out...I'm a little worried about him. I'm concerned that this could do irreparable damage to him and not just his TV career...which he doesn't want right now anyway! Maybe it's time for people who really love him to make him a priority. There's probably enough cut footage to create an entire season of new shows -- and if there isn't, fuck it, some things are more important than constantly being in the public eye. It's time to put the focus where it belongs, before something even worse happens. Drop the iPhone cameras ladies and step up to the plate. This is your son and your brother and he needs help. See to it that he gets it.
The Kardashians. I know. Shoot me. I'm so bad that I even watch those stupid spin-off's. So-and-So Takes Miami. So-and-So Takes New York. So-and-So. I Am So-and-So. The list goes on.
Now bear in mind I'm not saying that I'm actually enjoying the shows, but they are visual crack. I mean, I'm not into reruns, but I do sometimes find myself jonesing for a fix and will turn on the network the Kardashian's built: E!
*Disclaimer: I always kinda liked E! The content in the beginning was far removed from the content of now, but things change. Point is, I am a long time E! fan. (Shout out AJ Benza!)
Anyway, let me get back to the point. The Kardashians. I get it that the women in the family want to be in the show. Actually for some, I kinda think it's a need -- a heartfelt need to have a camera on them at all times. Hell, there's a guy or two who make occasionally make themselves part of the storyline too, of course, but they never last too long. Scott gets props for making it the longest and continuing to come back for more!
But there is one reluctant Kardashian...Robert. Now I watched as this poor kid started what felt like a spiral. He became super self-conscious and made it crystal clear he didn't want to be part of the limelight as a full time storyline. I respect him for setting limits for himself. Of course, I'd be much more that respectful if he used that time to really find his happy place like his little sisters (Jenner, so Kardashian once removed) have, but when we next saw him, it was kinda weird. Not saying *he* was weird, saying *it* was weird.
As the story unfolded he was dating Chyna on the QT, next thing you know she's damn-near single-handedly making him whole again. He began to lose weight and he was showing signs of improvement in his psychological state. I even started to think about rooting for them. But that was before watching just a couple of episodes of their own show. (Very short lasted)
I'm not completely sure, but I do think she was pregnant then, I could be wrong. Not that that part matters. The part that matters is that we were given (an admittedly edited version) look at who they are as people...or perhaps I should say as a couple.
So why am I talking about the Kardashians today after it's been, like, forever since I've written anything? I'll explain. I don't get too much prime-time TV time lately. All my TV watching happens in the morning. Somewhere along the line yesterday, I heard that Robert posted offensive pictures of Chyna on Instagram or one of those sites.
Apparently this upset Chyna so much that she's gone to the courts for something--a restraining order, I think--against Robert, making what is typically a quiet train wreck more of a far-reaching one. You know, kinda like when Kim was robbed in Paris...real honest-to-God news networks making mention of it. Well, of course with Kim it was more than just a mention, and who's to say this doesn't escalate to that type of publicity either? Nothing would surprise me.
But the thing is this, he did post inappropriate pictures on social media. Not okay. But I think that we're looking at someone in trouble. At a minimum, he's depressed and doesn't have the tools to deal with his feelings. He has issues that aren't being addressed. Not properly anyway.
Call me a cynic about this if you want. I probably deserve it. But the thing is this, I feel for Robert. He was a kid literally thrown into an uncomfortable limelight shortly after losing the father he dearly loved. Since that time, aside from Bruce and for a short time Lamar, his was the only testosterone in that house and he was smothered by high achieving females who harped on his inability to find his fortune and try to catch up with them. There were quite a few times I really felt he was being bullied.
He tried too. Then when he couldn't handle the rejections he faced, he began to get depressed, and in his case, the visible self-medication was food. He no longer wanted to be shown on the show. He allowed himself to be heard, but he would very rarely go on camera, and when he did, he was CLEARLY self-conscious and uncomfortable. Where was the parenting and unconditional family love in that?
Sure, the kid was in his mid-to-late 20's but that doesn't mean that sometimes even older kids need extra attention...and not on camera, thankyouverymuch. Dragging his ass to family therapy while cameras roll -- no wonder he had his little breakdown. He needed help, not more publicity for his success and social media driven family.
Then he finds Chyna. Not one I would have personally chosen for him if I had such power, but still, he was really, really smitten. He clearly thought he had found "the one" (although the rest of us knew that it was going to end, and probably end badly, at that.) Through it all, it was tough to watch. Then the show ended. It had to. Nobody wants to listen to a hyper-hormonal half-craze scream at the boy-man who loves her beyond reason and be throw out of his own home every other week for an entire season. The guillotine blade was rising.
He wasn't prepared enough to be strong in the face of such a much stronger woman. Or it could have just been resignation on his part..."if she wants me to leave, I'll just leave." His life has revolved around strong ambitious women his entire life. I bet he's learned to just go with the flow for the sake of peace of mind.
Bottom line is I don't think he really gave thought to what he was doing in posting those pictures. At least not in the deep true core place inside healthy adults. I think he was being a petulant child who lashed out. Right now he's that little boy in the playground that sulks and throws a handful of sand ineffectually just because he doesn't know any other way of showing his frustration.
Now let's look at Chyna for a moment. That woman knew what she was getting herself into when she began to make a life with Robert. She knew he was broken and she even showed him that she could help fix him...when she wanted to, that is. She also knew he came from fame and more than likely quite a little bit of money too. So if things went south for her, she just got undeserved publicity, monetary support no doubt and another baby daddy. She was already looking at shiny skies even before this mess. Add this to the mixture?! I bet she feels like she won the lottery! She's now the conservatively dressed cover girl for cyber bullying.
Now the mommy in me comes out...I'm a little worried about him. I'm concerned that this could do irreparable damage to him and not just his TV career...which he doesn't want right now anyway! Maybe it's time for people who really love him to make him a priority. There's probably enough cut footage to create an entire season of new shows -- and if there isn't, fuck it, some things are more important than constantly being in the public eye. It's time to put the focus where it belongs, before something even worse happens. Drop the iPhone cameras ladies and step up to the plate. This is your son and your brother and he needs help. See to it that he gets it.