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Reactions to the First Episode
My reaction to watching the first episode was definitly mixed. With the Santa Cruz half of the story (Vickie and the three Abbotts) I (Luke) thought it was . . . OK. It was certainly funny to watch. I was laughing out loud a lot. However, sometimes I was laughing at how they had edited things, because they just plain screwed up in some places. Some of the things they portrayed were just plain OPPOSITE to the reality (how it was or what was said). So, as you can imagine, that was a little frusterating to watch. Still, I went into this experience expecting to be mis-represented. I did not expect the editors to stitch together false events, but . . . live and learn, I guess.
Sometimes I was laughing at the editing, because they just plain screwed up.
As far as the Nashville side of the story, personally I don't know every little detail about what went on, but I know my mom wasn't happy about her portrayal one bit. The way it was edited together made it look like she was much pushier than she really is. The Lowes are likewise disappointed with how they were edited to be. For instance, Hope and Leslie really got along well, but the way her comments were stitched together it made Hope look arrogant and rude, to match Leslie's (apparent) pushiness. Unfortunately all of Hope's comments that were shown were negative. They didn't show all the fun that the Lowes and Leslie had together, and how they got along together so well, because it's not good TV. 99% of the time we were having a blast. Too bad that didn't get shown, but then again, harmony doesn't drive ratings.
I know that the editors of this show need to provide entertainment, and are very rushed to put out a show yesterday, but I would think they could still make a good show without "telling lies." It just reflects poorly on the integrety of the show. I used to think that Trading Spouses was different than your typical "non-reality reality show," and I still think it has the *possibility* of being that. Plus, a lot of the show did reflect reality in one way or another. Still . . . I'm disappointed.
With these shows, they always try to make conflict in the first half and resolve it in the end, so that may explain why FOX showed what they showed. We were surprised to learn that they had to distort reality to such an extent, though. We knew they would focus in on certain aspects and ignore others . . . we didn't think the editors would "make up" what happened, but, oh well . . . hopefully they'll resolve the "imaginary" conflicts in the final episode.
Reactions to the Second Episode
First, I should note that I wrote my 'review' of the first episode immediately after I saw the show. It took a day or two for me to realize just how far the story editors went in their distortion in reality. Still, I was anxious to see the second episode and see if it resolved any of the lies in the first installment.
Well, I just finished watching the second episode. I didn't find it quite as funny this time around. Now it's just plain aggravating. The whole thing has such a sour taste to it now. My dad didn't even watch the show, and I can't say that I can blame him. The episode just reeked of lies and manipulation. Where should I begin?
If you want to understand who I am, you have to assume that every statement I made, or anyone else made, on that show was never said in reality.
First of all, my dad (Carl) came off as this controlling, unyielding guy. One hundred and eighty degrees from reality! Yes, it's true that Vickie *thought* he was too controlling, but the editors took that opinion and twisted reality so it would be 100% justified! Frusterating!
Remember the scene where my dad took out the globe and was talking with Vickie about why he felt the way he did? I won't discuss the reality of it here (too complicated), but that scene was genuinely full of drama. I knew as soon as it was over that they would show it, and I was glad, because my dad really explained himself well, and even though a viewer might not understand his reasoning, they could at least see where he was coming from. They went about half-way . . . and then they went back to this fabricated drivel about him being controlling and all! They had a wonderful opprotunity to show some sincere drama (which was even more dramatic than what they showed, in my opinion), but they squandered it.
Personally, I was distorted far more this week than last. I think I said about three sentences that were genuinely mine: explaining what a jam is, etc. Everything else (that I can remember) that I said was totally fabricated. Perhaps I'm exaggerating here -- I've only watched the show once, so I don't remember everything -- but I know that my comments about not feeling happy where I am, and being glad that Vickie "showed me the light," are just completely unreal.
Obviously I'm aggravated and frusterated right now. Basically, if you want to understand who I am or who we are, you have to assume that every statement I made, or anyone else made, on that show was not our own. In reality, that's not far from the truth, at all.
I'll re-write and update this when I get my thoughts together, but for now I'll leave it at that.
Argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why Luke "Can't Be Satisfied"
A lot of people have been telling me how great I came off on the show, and from an objective standpoint, I agree. However, they don't understand why I could be so upset about my (positive) portrayal. I do think I "came off" real well; certainly a lot better than my dad did. As a story, it was nice: there was resolution (sort of), there were bridges built, and yes, there was some drama in there too.
These days, nobody cares if you lie or cheat, as long as you win. Sadly, it's all about winning.
That's not the point, though. My beef is that the editors took Vickie's *opinion* (that I needed to get out and "spread my wings") and twisted our reality 100% to justify it. A lot of Vickie's conjecture and theories were baseless, but the editors supported her views exclusively, instead of showing both sides. The whole thing about me realizing I need to spread my wings and feeling excited about that was all fake, because, frankly, I AM spreading my wings ALREADY!
Take a look at the second item in the "Parade of Lies." All of my quotes support the argument that I am not getting as much freedom as I would desire; all of these sentences were fabricated.
Some people say, "it came out well, it was a good show, so why are you so upset?" But my frustration isn't about how the show "came out" . . . it's the lies throughout the whole thing. It's akin to using steroids to "win" at baseball. Who cares if you lie or cheat, as long as you win? Sadly, it's all about winning. Well, not for me.
I edited together the entire show in my head while they were filming (I have that kind of brain, unfortunately ;-), and I know they could have made a controversial, dramatic show, with resolution and all that, without twisting reality like they did. The story editors either didn't have much integrity, or were generally incompetent (probably both). Either way, they clearly didn't care about the truth, or being objective. I bet they agree with Vickie's viewpoint and carved a story out of their beliefs. Hmph.
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Legal disclaimer: This document is based in the author's opinions and conjecture as to what really went on. Neither the author nor the Center for Taoist Thought and Fellowship warrants nor represents that the information divulged here is accurate. We (the Center for Taoist Thought and Fellowship) are simply reporting the opinions of one of the parties involved in "Trading Spouses," Luke Abbott, which may or may not be wholly accurate.
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