My Newest Obsession

When I was young I was obsessed with television. I recall in second grade being in my bedroom trying to write a book report, and crying as I heard the opening music to Punky Brewster. I knew I wouldn't be allowed to watch tv since my book report wasn't finished. My mother called me downstairs into the den, and asked why I was crying. "Because Punky Brewster is on and I'm missing it writing my Helen Keller report!" It turned out the reason my mother called me downstairs was BECAUSE Punky Brewster was on and she was going to let me watch after all! (It's 21 years after that happened, and I still remember; take note of that, Parents - your kids will remember what you do for them.)

My parents put a lot of effort into getting me away from my tv obsession in high school. It's not real life, you can't let tv interfere with real life... It worked. Very well. Almost too well. It drove my mother nuts that by 12th grade, I could walk out of the den at 10:46pm, right before the killer was caught, the rapist was brought to justice, the kidnapped son was reunited with his family, etc. (Yes, we watched a lot of Lifetime movies.)

Now I am an adult and can watch tv to my heart's content. However, I am older. Wiser. More particular. And now, I am obsessed.

Here is the show I am obsessed with: Intervention

It is AMAZING! The first episode was last night. I had been looking forward to it for a month! It TOTALLY lived up to all my expectations! My rule for movies is that in order for me to love them they must fit all of the following criteria:

1. Make me laugh
2. Make me cry
3. Move me - make me think. Make me say "wow". Make me see the word in a new way. Inspire me.

I do not have this rule for loving television, but Intervention fit the criteria anyway.

First let's talk about the actual interventions. Maybe it was just the editing of all the film that was shot, but Tommy's was great and moving, and Alyson's was just... whatever.

Tommy's best friend (a guy) cried and said he did not mentally have it in him to stay friends with Tommy if he didn't change. Tommy's sister said if he didn't go to rehab she would no longer allow him near her children because of his temper. Tommy cried when she said that (who wouldn't?). He was shocked, touched, moved, embarrassed, relieved, and humbled by his intervention.

Alyson, on the other hand, was just... whatever. So her dying father read her a letter he'd written. So her very pregnant friend was there. None of it moved me at all, because none of it moved her. She gave exactly what was expected of her. She said all the right things, cried at the right times, did what she was supposed to. It almost seemed like she only cried because someone behind the cameras was holding a cue card that said "Start the tears - commence crying when father gasps for air before continuing his letter." Maybe that's why I don't think she'll make it - because you can't fool yourself forever. They last showed her at a rehab having 180 days clean. The little blurb at the bottom of the screen said the rehab hired Alyson to work there. I hope A&E does a follow up show towards the end of the season to let us know what happens.

Tommy - he's going to make it. Alyson - denial does not even begin to describe it! She was playing the game by saying all the right things, but it was so obvious she was not REALLY believing any of it. I foresee a relapse or two in her future. For her sake, I hope I'm wrong. But I don't think I am.

Let's also assume (a little wishful thinking on my part) you are in the know about such things - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me the name and artist who sings the Intervention song!

Shit, I think *I* need an intervention for being addicted to Intervention!