Much as I would like you to think I’m some hipster intellectual type, I can’t deny that I enjoy my share of trashy, low-brow television. Or as my hubby refers to it, car crash TV.
I could make an argument that reality television is a study in cultural identity or a commentary on the nature of the media in modern society. Remember when Big Brother first started and it was billed by some as a social experiment? Fast forward ten years or so and no one bothers to pretend that reality TV is about anything other than exhibitionism in exchange for fame and money.
That said, Geordie Shore is one of my guilty pleasures.
As a girl from the North East, watching the show when it first came out was a no-brainer. At first the furore over the programme was huge, with much of the region outraged at the stereotypical portrayal of northerners. But over time it has become addictively entertaining, as long as you don’t take it too seriously.
As series six is about to start on July 9th, I thought I’d list the main reasons I love/love to hate Geordie Shore.
Love
- Charlotte. It doesn’t matter what random crap falls out of her mouth or how often she pees in the sink (hint: it’s a lot), this girl is hilarious. Plus, it’s kind of heartbreaking watching the ups and downs of her relationship with Gary.
- Believe it or not, Geordie Shore has actually increased tourism to Newcastle. Thanks to the hard partying of the cast, the Toon is now considered one of the top party destinations in the UK. And let’s be fair, it is a good night out!
- Unlike their counterparts on Jersey Shore, the cast aren’t afraid to walk away. Much as I loved Jersey Shore, by the end the cast were going through the motions: The Situation was sober after a stint in rehab, Snooki was pregnant, Jenni had left boyfriend Roger at home to do one more summer with the crew. They just didn’t party like they used to. The same cannot be said for the Geordies. Those that tire of the lifestyle (Greg, Rebecca, Jay, Ricci and Dan) or decide to settle down don’t cling on to the show.
- Once you’ve witnessed an episode of The Valleys you realise that the Geordie Shore lot are positively classy in comparison.
- Love her or hate her, Vicky has a knack for passive/aggressive observations delivered with perfect deadpan timing. On Gaz and Charlotte: “They’re like Romeo and Juliet. If Romeo was a fucking twat.”
- Watching Vicky march down the street shoving over old people and stealing kids’ ice creams, to the sounds of Rage Against the Machine, made a really funny sketch on one of the series catch up episodes.
- Seeing familiar places on TV is always cool.
- Call me juvenile, but comedy swearing never fails to amuse.
- Watching the girls stop for pasties on the way to boot camp makes me feel better about my fitness regime.
- When MTV decided to post a comment on their Facebook page about watching the Geordies now that Jersey Shore was about to finish, over 2,000 Americans left outraged messages about the quality of the UK show. Mostly because they couldn’t understand what anyone was saying.
Hate
- Watching people vomit is never pleasant.
- It’s not exactly advocating intelligence.
- My OCD has a panic attack at the end of every series when it sees the state they leave the house in. Used condoms on the floor? Come on.
- Why would anyone get a spray tan/massage from the cast of Geordie Shore? Surely no one can be that desperate to be on television.
- It makes me feel old and a bit boring; I have never been that drunk. Okay, maybe that one time…
- Whenever the boys treat the girls like crap or act superior it feels like I’m back at school.
- Whether it’s the drinking, shagging, intellect or hair extensions and fake tan, it’s not exactly doing feminism any favours.
- It’s annoying that you can make a lucrative career out of showing yourself up on TV while the rest of us slave away on the 9 to 5.
- Unjustified arrogance. There are just so many things I could say…
- Scotty T’s chicken plucking comments. Yuck.
So, will you be watching the latest series? Check out the trailer here.
Pearl says
Love this post! I also love/love to hate Geodie Shore and I actually can’t wait till it’s back on TV this month. It’s my little guilty pleasure and despite my honey’s original protest (how can you call this TV?) he’s now as addicted as I am, ha!
I can’t get enough of Charlotte and Gaz (although he really is a twat, and what’s up with all these four, six way kisses with Scott? ewww) and Vicki makes some pretty hilarious comments from time to time.
Apparently Jay is coming back in this series so it will be interesting to see what happens in Australia. Bring on the popcorn!
x Pearl
Amy Lord says
Thanks for commenting Pearl, yeah can’t wait to see what they get up to in Australia, the trailer looks amazing!
Mag says
i love this post and this tv show. all my friend know that i’m a big fan of Vicky and they still love me,so it can’t be such a big sin. but yeah…i feel so old when i watch it 🙂
Amy Lord says
I definitely feel old now whenever I watch Geordie Shore!