Laugh and learn from 'Trash TV'

What did I miss?" my roommate asked with great anticipation as he ran into the family room hearing the chorus of "Jer-ry! Jer-ry! Jer-ry!" This monotonous chant was coming from the mouths of six other guys, not to mention the TV audience. I'm sure that this is a familiar situation for those of you out there who watch TV. You find yourself watching so-called "Trash TV" like "The Jerry Springer Show," "Blind Date," "Montel" and "Judge Judy," which are prime examples of the worst of the worst on TV. Yet, the question remains, "Why am I watching this?" \nThere's a plain and simple answer that has eluded many people for the better part of their lives. It's a damn funny thing to watch. I mean honestly, who doesn't want to watch two cousins fight for their uncle with whom they're both in love?\nThere must be a deeper meaning to this riddle of bad TV. I've arrived at the conclusion that these shows make us feel better about who we are and how we live our lives. I guarantee that everyone on my floor in Wright Quad knew what time Jerry was on, and no matter how bad their days were going, they'd always be laughing and smiling by the time the show was over. I've lost count of the number of times my friends have made the comment, "No wonder this guy never got any girls. He's a loser," during the show "Blind Date." Seeing someone like that makes a guy who has a hard time striking up a conversation with women realize that he's not really that bad. Just as a girl who's fighting with her boyfriend could watch the "Tell All" episode of "Montel" where a man explains to his lover that he's cheating on her with her mom. Suddenly, what the viewer is fighting about with her boyfriend isn't such a big deal. \nDon't confuse these trash shows with those that actually do provide something other than pure entertainment, such as "Oprah" or "Dr. Phil." Yes, yes, I know I'm a young man in college who watched both of these. Ridicule me if you'd like, but for those who do have trouble confronting their kids about taking drugs or sex, Dr. Phil provides a great illustration of the dos and don'ts. And Oprah not only exposes the public to a wide variety of social issues, she gives back to the community as well. \nI know that many who watch these programs have already realized my conclusion, but for those of you who were unaware until now have a new-found understanding about the riddle of "Trash TV." To quote Springer, my "final thought" is this: Next time you find yourself flipping through the channels and see Judge Judy settling a dispute or Jerry trying to bring peace to a lovers' quarrel, stop and watch with a greater understanding of what's going on. If that doesn't work for you, then watch it anyway and lose some calories laughing at the people exposing themselves on national television.