i downloaded and watched the second episode of transamerican love story last night. again, i was fascinated and discomforted at the same time. while i usually avoid these kinds of dating game/reality shows, i can’t look away from this one.
i suppose one of my main issues with this show, is that calpernia doesn’t seem very real with her interactions with the men. it’s as if it’s all poorly scripted with clichés and platitudes. and the “events” in which the contestants are forced to participate seem rather, well, silly. this episode has the men planning and executing a southern-style dinner party for calpernia and her friends. the men are responsible for everything, from planning, purchasing (at a kosher grocery store no less), cooking, and serving the meal, while calpernia and her friends judge the men and the food.
as if one can actually find ham hocks at a kosher food store.
i don’t know, if i were trying to find a mate, the last thing i’d care about would be his ability to plan and cook a dinner party for 20 people. frankly, i’d be more concerned about his ability to love me unconditionally. maybe i’d want to spend time alone with him, which is something that calpernia seems to do little of. she spent a few minutes with two of the guys, but really, the whole thing is just weird.
that said, i’m looking forward to downloading the third episode. they are all going to the beach. finally, an activity that seems like it might be a good idea.
It’s all in fun, none of us are expecting to walk out with a wedding ring, though if that happened it would be dreamy. You can’t look at it through the lens of deathly serious “Endless Love”. It’s like going to a singles dance and doing the hokey pokey with party hats on and plenty of alcohol all around. The silly activities give us a reason to interact with each other, let down our defenses and have some laughs. Reality TV is about fantasy, fun and the experience.
I’m glad you’re watching, as it moves along and more men go home, it gets more personal and more emotional. It’s just hard to connect personally with eight guys and dinner party guests in the span of a few hours, ha ha.
Calpernia
Comment by Calpernia Addams — February 29, 2008 @ 1:29 am
i am honored that you took the time to comment on my blog, calpernia. i suppose i am being a little harsh with my criticisms, especially in the context of what your show is trying achieve here. perhaps i spend too much time watching documentaries
that said, i watched the third episode last night, and was planning on posting about that as soon as i find some time - maybe this weekend. i very much saw an improvement with the beach scene, which seems a lot more appropriate for this type of show. and i did see a closer connection develop between you and the remaining contestants.
i don’t know that i have anything negative to say about the third episode, and as the show gains momentum, i’m finding it more and more difficult to wait between episodes. i’m really starting to enjoy it
i’m very much looking forward to seeing the 4th episode. any way to get the producers to hurry up and post more to itunes?
Comment by nexy — February 29, 2008 @ 10:08 pm
Thanks, Nexy! I don’t blame you for watching any reality show with a critical eye… I can’t bear to watch more than 5 minutes of “Flava of Love” and all that. Our show tries to respect the human dignity of the guys in the long run, even if we do make them wear harem costumes at first. I believe that the subversive thing about the show is how *normal* it all is… people doing the same dorky stuff as on other reality shows… but this time in that context we’re presenting trans women and men who are not ashamed to be open about their interest in a trans woman.
I know it’s not like our VDay LA 2004 fundraiser to prevent violence against women and girls, but I want to spread out and do some FUN stuff, too. And it was FUN watching the boys work out and stealing Andrea’s martini, ha ha.
Sometimes I get notes from people saying they don’t see the most recent episode on iTunes yet, but then I look and I see it… Either iTunes somehow caches things, or maybe since I bought a season pass I get the shows on the same day they come out, whereas single-purchase episodes load in later? I’m not sure.
Comment by Calpernia Addams — March 3, 2008 @ 3:06 am
i just checked iTunes, and sure enough, episode 4 is available. i’ll be downloading it tonight!
Comment by nexy — March 3, 2008 @ 10:05 am