Mixed Media Junkie

By all accounts that matter (mine) it's been a relatively fruitful TV season.  The year has yielded Arrested Development's premature swan song, strong sophomore performances from The Office and Lost, and the long-awaited return of The Sopranos - not to mention DVR-worthy seasons of The Shield, Scrubs, Amazing Race, and yes, even Project Runway.  Hazelina and I have also taken to watching The Dog Whisperer as well as various programs on Discovery/Food Channel/DIY/etc., i.e. somewhat educational channels.  Our television-viewing plate, as you can see, is rather crowded.

But it gets better. 

Namely, we've discovered a BBC America show called Ed vs. Spencer, a sort of hybrid reality show, like a bastard child of Jackass and Super Sloppy Double Dare, but with English accents.  The format is actually taken from a Canadian show called Kenny vs. Spenny, but it's basically the same: two friends, in a fit of misguided male pride, "compete against each other in outrageous and entertaining challenges, with the sole purpose of seeking satisfaction in the ritual humiliation of the loser."  

This show should appeal to anyone who's ever participated or even thought about taking part in any sort of eating competition, drinking contest, or outlandish dare.  Basically, if you have a penis, this would probably amuse you.  I don't know what it is about testosterone that infuses us males with this… I was going to say "competitiveness," but I think it's more like a sense of superiority.  In the absence of empirical data and a preponderance of evidence stating otherwise, and sometimes, quite thickly, in the face of just such evidence, we men tend to think we are better than the next guy in whatever stunt you put in front of us.

I can only imagine this would entertain women by highlighting the boorish behavior so often displayed by the menfolk in their lives, i.e. brothers, boyfriends, and for the severely unfortunate – husbands.  Case in point: Hazel, upon watching the "Who Can Stay Handcuffed the Longest?" episode, turned to me and said, "Yeah, I could imagine you doing that."  Truth be told, I was imagining it myself at that moment.  Some of the other challenges they've undertaken:  

• Who can gain the most weight?
• Who can get the sickest?
• Who can make the best porn film?
• Who can survive a night in the woods?
• Who can get the most women?
• Who do kids like the most?

Ed vs. Spencer isn't quite a literal pissing contest, but I would not at all be surprised if that was eventually one of the future competitions.  Good times.