Likability

I’ve made a pact with my husband to avoid all reality television this year. 2019 was a low point for us, televisually speaking. Early in the year we watched I’m a Celebrity – Get me out of here. We then moved on to the low-point – Married at First Sight. We didn’t know it at the time but we were at our lowest ebb. We rebounded somewhat, ending the year on a ‘Block’ high. Nonetheless we have sworn off anything that will make us stupider.

In our defence, we were interested anthropologically. We watched the shows the way Dian Fossey watches Gorillas. I’m a Celebrity shows B and lower celebs in the South African bush and while the producers are hoping they will go the full Lord of the Flies, they mostly Live Their Best Lives in the bush, finding out what they’re really made of, and generally becoming better people in the process. It’s lovely.

Really, No….I dont’ want to watch it….

If the producers want to see ‘celebs’ going the full Uruguayan Rugby team on live TV, they’ve gotta get non-celebs, wanna-be celebs, influencers, and instagram models in there! Watching Married at First Sight is like watching a bunch of drunk bogans fight over a taxi at 4am. They should get those freaks into the bush and watch the pig’s heads fly! Figuratively speaking I mean.


Likability is a huge factor in reality shows. For me anyway. Some people like the nasty peeps just for the entertainment factor but I prefer people who are kind, intelligent and altruistic. No I’m going to have to take that back. Watching the reno shows I like my contestants likeable but I have to admit, I would have lost interest real fast in Married at First Sight if they’d all been loved up success stories. I was watching it for the train-wrecks. The puffy-lipped insta model hooking up with the pretty boy with the fraud conviction. Or the woman who really thought she would find true love.

Oh, honey…

I’ve always considered myself unlikeable. I should clarify that and say I am quite polarising. People who love me really seem to dig me, nice…thank you <3 But the people who don’t…really, really don’t. My first mother in law hated me so much it was terrifying. I was a bit of a twat, I’ll admit, but I was young! Oh and apparently I have a “strong personality.”

I wish I could go back and talk to my 19 year old self. I’d say don’t take it so seriously. Don’t worry about time passing. Be in the moment. Go where you’re celebrated, not where you’re tolerated. I’d say you are loved. You matter. You can get out of this town and never look back. Listen to your heart. Be open to change. Buy shares in Apple.

Feature Photo by Sven Scheuermeier on Unsplash