December 18, 2006

Reality TV: Flip That Perspective

Ok I admit it, I have watched a couple of the reality tv shows. The choice is staggering really: Survivor and all it's sequels, Nanny 911, X-Weighted, Biggest Loser, The Swan and of course the housing market ones...Buy Me, Sell This House and Flip This House.

Here's the thing about reality tv....drum roll please....it's not real. Not one single bit of it is real. It's all made up to look real. The people in the show are real and the situations may be real but there's no way that shows could be produced like that. It's all about the editing and cutting and rehearsing, yes rehearsing, and re-shooting. That's not reality...and yet the concept of reality tv shows is catching on so fast it's hard to keep up with the next big thing.

Which brings me to my point. I have come up with a new reality tv show. It's called Flip That Perspective.

The concept is pretty simple. You take a guy or a girl in a situation they don't like, perhaps a job they hate, a relationship they aren't happy in or a financial debacle of staggering proportions. You let them tell their reasons for staying where they are. (I call them excuses personally but that's just me) You give them a chance to explain themselves and then you offer them an opportunity to change things. The script would go something like this...Director, "Ok, now, pretend that you've just been offered a chance to change this situation." Reality TV actor, "Hmmmm, so how would I do that?" Director, "Well, imagine that you have left this lousy job and you are working somewhere that you really love." Reality TV Actor, "But that's not possible. I couldn't leave the job, I have a family to feed, debts to pay. I've been there for so long now what would I do?" Director, "This is why it's called ACTING....Act like you just got the job of your dreams and you're making! so much money you don't know what to do with it all." Reality TV Actor, " You know, I don't think I like this gig. Nobody told me it would be this hard to play the part....I mean that's really stretching my abilities as an actor. Couldn't I just pretend that I got a promotion in the same company? That would be easier..." Director, " Ok, work with me here please. Let's imagine you're looking into the future, five years from now, and you have faced all the difficulties and problems in the new job. You're happy, your family is content, you get to take two holidays a year with them, you are doing what you love. Now, what does it feel like to know this has happened already?" Reality TV Actor, "Well it feels really nice but I still don't see how this could happen. Nobody is going to give me a break like that. Why should they? Nobody gets off that easily and anyway, rich people aren't nice. They climb on the backs of others to reach their goals...I don't know this just seems too hard to do..." Director, "Nobody said it would be easy...I'm as! king you to Flip That Perspective. Change it up. Look at things a different way. If you always do what you've always done you're going to get what you've always got....Come on, you can do this."

At this point the crowd starts to chant......."Flip That Perspective, Flip That Perspective, Flip That Perspective..." It begins to sound somewhat like a mantra. The Reality TV Actor takes the leap, embraces the notion of having the new job, the great money, the happy relationship...A smile comes over the face, a glimpse of content eases the muscles around the eyes, the body language loosens up, the Reality TV actor is calm, relaxed, serene...The crowd goes wild.

Fast forward a few months. The director is up for an Oscar as is the Reality TV actor....Best non-fiction piece....And yet another drum roll..."The winner is Flip That Perspective: starring YOU!"

Sounds silly doesn't it? Would anybody watch it? Would you watch it? Better yet, what would it be like to actually be the actor in this show? Or, flipping it a little further, what if this really was real life? Sound preposterous? Don't let the name fool you. Take the time to look at a situation that you don't like in a new light. What is it about this situation that you don't like? What is bothering you about it? Flip That Perspective...how can you change it? What could you do to make it better? What would it feel like for something to be "easy" for you? What would it be like for something to be "hard" but worth it. AND what does "worth it" look like to you?

A few things to ponder as the New Year closes in and the time of resolutions begin....once again.

Always wanted to be a star? Well here's your chance.

Coming soon to a life near you, "Flip That Perspective." Hey, anybody bring the popcorn?

Happy Holidays...

Living la vida fearless, Jan