NEXT

THE NEXT BUS

"Next" was an MTV reality dating show that had 285 episodes. A single man/woman looks for a significant other. Five other people, secluded in the "Next Bus" (posted above), come to meet the certain someone who is waiting for them at the bottom of the bus to go on a date. The show starts with an interview by the 5 people waiting on the bus. Heres an example: 

Embarrassing? Well it gets worse, once the girls step off of the bus the person waiting for their date can say the one word, "Next!", and the date is immediately over. The person is sent right back to the RV, never to see the single person again. The word "Next" has a negative connotation in this scope because it means that you don't fit the person's criteria then you're instantly off. The same process continues with the next person in line who is waiting on the bus. It was not uncommon for the single person to "next" a person within first sight of meeting them usually because they're unattractive. This was usually called being "Instantly Nexted". But, the date doesn't always end with the person being "nexted". A date can end if they feel that they have made a physical or emotional connection with they person while on the date. In this case, the man or women would say, "You have been on a date with me for ( amount of minutes), you can either take the (amount of money), and run, or go on a second date." The episode ends either when the contestant finds someone he or she is interested in, or if all the contestants were "nexted." Once there is a couple made or 6 single people, the Next bus continues on its way to the next scheduled date where people find their true partner.

Now that you now the layout of the show, lets talk about the impact this has on society. I know that growing up MTV was big in my group of friends. Therefore, whenever we saw a guy that we weren't interested in the word "next" would be said to make it known that he wasnt our type slash he had no chance. Awful right? Well at least I can say that I've matured since I was 13 years old? This is just an example of how reality TV can affect the youth and how a common word can have it's meaning changed after a reality TV show has set air.

The Flavor of Love

Now, you all knew this one was coming, The Flavor of Love, it was just as famous as it was ridiculous in 2006. It was a "successful" dating game show on VH1 with the rapper Flavor Flav from the Public Enemy.

There were actually three seasons of Flav trying to find his true love. Turns out, he did not end up marrying any of the 65 contestants and he married the mother of his 7th child instead. Yes, you read this correctly, at 52 years old he is the father of seven children and a grandfather to two children. Although William Jonathan Drayton Jr is a "recovering" drug addict and has spent time in jail, his reality TV shows were still major hits. I guess the trashy show was appealing to the millions of American viewers because it lasted for 39 episodes and it became a spin-off for many other shows.

Who wouldn't want to marry this?

Each lovely woman was given a nickname by Flav at the beginning of the season. Some of the most famous nicknames included Hoopz, Deelishis, New York, Black. The contestants consist of 20 girls from different races, ages and body types. Each time a contestant was eliminated their real name would be revealed and they had to say their goodbyes. It features a clock ceremony where contestants who are not eliminated receive gold clocks to wear around their necks with their picture behind the hands of the clock. When a contestant is eliminated, her real name is then revealed, followed by a champagne toast. The women, selected for their "personalities", compete for Flav's affection in contests. The show centers on Mr. Flav’s selection of a “mate,” as opposed to a “girlfriend” since many of the participants’ on-air activities resemble animal behavior more than the standard conventions of modern, non-catfight-based courtship.


All in all, America watched this famous rapper nickname women based upon their physical appearance, make out with them on television, and hand out clocks. We are definitely headed in the right direction guys, right towards stupidity, low standards, and immorality.  But I guess, the shiny clocks and flashy clothes could be the reason that the shows audience was persuaded into watching the 60 minute episodes religiously. On the other hand, after seeing a second of that man's teeth and his over sized watch I immediately changed the channel.

Paris Hilton’s My New BFF

When I refer to my best friend I think of the first person who you call when you're making plans. It is a term of endearment that only few people should be called. They are the first person you go to when you need someone to confide in and they always know how to make you happy. Not to mention, whenever youre in trouble they will come right to your side. They truly care about you and they would never want to see you hurt. Maybe this exact word is what attracted people to this obscene and chaotic show. But, when Paris Hilton and "BFF" are used in the same sentence, it worries me. Therefore, the title of this reality TV show alone should be a hint for everyone out there to turn the channel. It was a shallow and meaningless competition aired on MTV in 2008 for princess Paris to find a "true" friend.

 “My New BFF” is an example of how many beauty obsessed, money crazy, material girls you can fit in front of one camera.  Personally, I would never give Paris the satisfaction of thinking that she was anyone's best friend. I believe that Paris Hilton's idea of a "best friend" is someone who will tell her she looks skinny, will follow her around constantly giving her compliments, and probably take the blame for anything the media found Paris doing that month.  The word is completely distorted whenever it comes out of her mouth, anyone who says "BFF" in the first place is a complete loon. No gracias Paris.

The winner of the first series was named Brittany Flickinger. But, she didn't last. She was dropped within the blink of an eye. I thought the last "F" stood for forever? Apparently not. The "winner" of the second season isn't even woth mentioning because the same exact thing happened to her. In conclusion, you can say that they wasted months of their lives. Smart.