by EM RUSCIANO
Relax.
Seriously, take a deep breath, fart if you need to and just chill the feck out. I’m talking to you: intellectual moral high ground Australia.
Never have I witnessed so many puffed up chests as I have since The Shire, came into our lives.
Before I dive bomb into this one, let me state that I don’t have an exclusive contract with Channel Ten. I am hired as an independent contractor, I can work for the other networks if I want to (if you own a network and you’d like to buy my soul please feel free!) What I am about to write has no professional bias attached, whatsoever.
The Shire. Yep – I’m so going there.
Twitter was doing my nut in last night with the amount of jerks winging about the show. It’s quite simple really – if you don’t like it, don’t watch it!
Is someone you follow on twitter tweeting about it? Unfollow them or – GASP – get off The Twitter while The Shire is on.
The thing that chops my nails is that it’s seemingly okay for us to laugh at Kath and Kim, Summer Heights High or We Can Be Heroes but it’s not okay to take the same attitude with The Shire gang.
Yes, Channel Ten are guilty of typecasting, stereotyping, setting up story lines and all sorts of other reality TV related atrocities but these people are different to me so, bugger it, I’m kinda interested.
I find it amusing. I do. It’s harmless. I haven’t been paying real close attention but this is what I have gleaned so far.
DJ Riff-Raff has pool parties where people engage in staged awkward conversations. He also has “rap buddies” – I WANT A RAP BUDDY!
The botox barbie girls are trying to make the world a better place. There has been a lot of talk of melting fat and spreading glamour. Good on them. GOOD ON THEM, I say!
One wants lips that touch her nose, the other wants one facial expression for ALL the emotions.
Hilarious, go forth and freeze – you ‘aint hurting me, sister.
I also recall a conversation between the botox babes, regarding the option of a smart child vs an attractive child. Food for thought, my friends. I bet my sweet bippy that if Tony Jones posed the same question to a Q & A panel full of child psychologists and philosophers we would all contemplate it with the utmost seriousness.
However since it was Vernesa and the small one bringing it up, while they were melting the fat off each others’ arses – we scoffed at the idea!
I just love these two, they are the early front runners for best on ground.
I think my favourite part of last night’s episode was when they were attempting to dance together but their respective bits kept bouncing off the other. Imagine throwing two pumped up basketballs together…. That damn ‘law of reflection’ was killing their dancing vibes
No! My favourite part where they were challenged by a woman at the gym about their “Cavitiatin” machine and the small one said: “The Australian Government says our machine melts your fat”.
No! My favourite part was the bit when Vernesssssssa said that guys like she and her friends because “they dance”.
Bekkaaa and her husband/father do concern me a little but perhaps that is just deep level, sub-conscious, jealousy on my part because my father won’t buy me a new nose/boobs/Mercedes. I do wish she’d pick better friends, those two boys she gets around with are toxic.
I learned that we are soon to meet the wild girls who own ferrets and serve drinks in their undies.
Some curly-haired skater girl is treating a man like a lot of men treat women. The aforementioned man has two best mates who look exactly like him and they all were crocked hats with stickers on the peak.
Mitch is hot and I think his ex-girlfriend’s mum has a thing for him..
That’s all I got so far.
My point is: stop being snobs. Get over yourselves and/or turn it off. If I have to read one more bleeding heart, intellectual, pointless tweet/blog/article about how this is a mass dumbing down of society, I will choke myself on Beckaaa’s weave.
Lighten up y’all.
Em. x
Em Rusciano appears on Network Ten’s ’The Project’, she also regularly hosts The Circle. You should follow her on Twitter here and take a look at her website here.

Kerry: When she's not running Beach Burrito, Kerry is riding the rollercoaster of romance with Spock.







Comments
126 Comments so far
What really frustrates me about these reality TV shows Eg: Jersey Shore, the Shire etc is that the people on these shows get paid mega bucks for doing sweet FA. There are so many Talented people in the arts industry or any industry for that matter that work their buts off their entire life to get little recognition and minimal pay and Yet these are the people that deserve the Time on TV and the $. These people on shows like this are beyond a joke and pathetic.
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Get the junk off tv. It’s not about ‘if you don’t like it don’t watch it’ it’s the fact it’s taking up tv time slots when something else far more worthy of watching could be shown.
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My gosh – now people are complaining that there’s ads for the show that they can’t avoid?! If you don’t like that ads – do yourself a favour and get one of those set top box things – or a Foxtel box – so you can record everything and skip the ads. I do this myself – and never see a single ad because of it. Problem. Solved.
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I choose not to get uptight about it, but I also choose not to watch television. ‘To each their own’.
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Yawn…Huh? Wait a minute Em…you sound suspiciously like a script writer for this show. And for the record…since when did banality and mediocrity become such a benchmark for entertainment? I bet a round of drinks that you’ll regurgitate this article when Big Brother returns.
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Seriously guys, get a life!! Yes! It seems like a bogan show, but truly, the 2 girls are not my cup of tea, yet they are not harming anyone, people need to lighten up!
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I believe that you are wrong in encouraging the critics to remove themselves from Twitter. The Twitter response was by far more entertaining than the show itself. Contrary to popular opinion, there is oodles of talent in this country and it expresses itself brilliantly in 140 characters or less.
http://mum-abulous.com/2012/07/17/shire-twits/
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Absolutely agree. I don’t watch the show, but I can’t help seeing the adverts (which basically show you all the juicy biuts that are going to be shown anyways) – so I log onto Twitter w the show is airing and read the tweets instead. Funniest stuff I’ve ever read – and I dont even have to watch the show to get the belly laughs.
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Bahahaha! See THEY’RE the kind of comments/tweets people want to see! Far different from the holier than thou/judgmental crap coming out of other people’s mouths. If you can say something actually funny about it – I want to hear it! Loved your blog article!
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Intellectual morality in Australia? Biggest oxymoron since honest American politician. Just another example of dumbing down standards to cater to the stupid masses. No I haven’t watched nor will I start but when you seek glory from jumping on the bandwagon well some sense needs to enter doesn’t it? But gee each other up knowing there is comfort in mass numbers and that way there is no responsibility when it turns sour. Who needs substance over style? Just keep trying to look pretty whilst others get the job done. Natural disasters didn’t destroy the ancient civilizations of past, evolving to a level where this type of stuff existed merely eroded intelligence to such a level that merely surviving became optional.
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Mamamia, recent articles, including this one, indicate you have a need for a proofreader. I’ll happily do it. It’s very off putting reading anything full of typos and grammar errors.
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“Grammatical errors” NOT “grammar errors”.
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Agree Em. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. So I don’t. But I’m actually more annoyed at those taking the moral high ground than I am about the show. If I see channel 9 (especially the Today show) tutt tutt over this show one more time I’m going to throw my tv out. Are they not the tv channel bringing back Big Brother? DO they think big bro is going to be classier this time???
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I have to say I was amazed at the amount of anger this program has stirred up in people I remember reading the comments while an MM article was posted during the first episode and there was so much hate towards a TV show I mean really some people were refusing to watching it as it would “dumb them down” lots of people commenting were making out as if this show were just below them well its a TV show people its all in the name of entertainment and if it’s not to your taste just change the channel.
I also felt the attacks on the people on the show were a little personal lot’s of mean things said about the two brunette girls I thought they were funny and harmless we don’t know these people so no need to be so bitchy towards them.
I’m glad you touched on this Em and great writing as per X
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“if it’s not to your taste just change the channel”
The problem is that it’s impossible to avoid the advertising. Should I have to not-watch anything on Ch10 just because I don’t like this show?
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Mute the ad breaks. Seriously, if this is the biggest issue in your life at the moment you’re doing pretty well.
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Serously, if people complaining about a TV show is the biggest problem in your life …
My point was that ‘if you don’t like it, don’t watch it’ is meaningless.
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Its a 20 second ad whats the big deal first world problems indeed
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The problem i have with it is it represents young people as dumb bimbos and stupid lads. Lets have some shows that show how young people really are, innovative, interesting and funny.
…and my feet are firmly planted on the ground thanks.
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Nup.
I am about as far away as high brow as it gets. I am also firmly planted in the live and live, tweet and let tweet, watch and let watch camps.
However, this is the first time I have ever watched something (not last night, but last week) and thought ‘dear god, no, please don’t watch this crap’.
I get that some people like it. I just pure and simple don’t. It has zero to do with me being a puff chested intellectual (which I am not). Which means it probably has zero to do with 80% of the others that don’t like it.
I’ve grown up with just about every single character on the show – and I can tell you they are infinitely more likeable (and loveable) as characters in real life than the concoction The Shire allows them to be. They’re dressed up as the real deal .. when they’re not. Not really. Many more layers there.
I could be wrong but would have to watch more to know..and I won’t be.
On the point of switching off/unfollowing, does that mean if someone doesn’t like agree with tweets about 4corners, or Masterchef or, gasp horror, Offspring, that they should shut up and not say it? No, I didn’t think so. Not if the sentiment is genuine.
However, brilliant point about Q and A. That should sort out the puffy chested intellectuals (and despite the above, I do think there are also a load of those). Nicely played.
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Couldn’t have said it better!!!
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My problem with this show, leading on a bit from Nat’s recent article, is that I feel several of the women and the cast in general in the show are set up to be hated on by the general public.
This is not like laughing at Kath and Kim (satire) or enjoying the guilty pleasure of frothy shows like The Hills. These people, especially the women, seem to have a sign above their heads ‘Here is a bunch of dumb arse bogans brought to you by Channel 10 for you to laugh at and feel better about yourself.’. Admittedly you would need a big sign for that.
I’m all for guilty pleasures and silly reality and for not over thinking things. But I feel there is a vicious undercurrent to design of this show, especially with the portrayal of Sophie and Vernesa.
I just can’t enjoy a show that feels so mean.
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‘to the design of the show’ can’t edit.
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I have no intention of watching this show, but I don’t watch a lot of “reality/dramality shows” and I’m not really their demographic I imagine, but I thought your comment was far more thoughtful than the usual “stupid bogans” type comment.
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Thanks Em, for putting it out there!
I learned that last night’s episode was lacking. I think more of a storyline is missing if that isn’t a contradiction in itself. What I mean is, we need stuff to happen, fast forward a bit with some of the storylines.
I also learned that Gabby, who’s probably the most ‘natural’ of the female cast is the most beautiful because she’s so… Plain?
Amazing what you can learn sometimes when you feel like having junk food for your brain
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i guess i appreciate the plain tag then
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i guess i appreciate the plan tag then
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B000000GAAAAAANS!!!
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This show makes me feel incredibly smart, and proud of my achievements. I will tune in every few weeks for a bit of a confidence boost. And just as a bonus I didn’t have to take my sleeping tablet last night as I was nodding off by 8.15pm when Bekkaa was car shopping with Daddy.
p.s who’s going to watch Big Brother?
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I couldn’t agree more Em! People need to get over themselves. I’m also going to put the cat among the pigeons here and suggest that many vehement critics of The Shire watch, or have watched, ‘high quality’ programs like Big Brother and other reality shows and loved them (i.e. been addicted to their showcasing of human ridiculousness). Taking the moral high ground over The Shire in these days of reality TV is a little hypocritical.
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Great article and yes, not to be taken seriously doh! How could you? But really do we have to have such crap on tv where young girls might actually believe this shit is normal & okay.
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I eatched it for 10 mins last night, I bet if I turn it on in 6 months time it’s still bout the same stuff. Days of our lives for night time viewing.
Best line last night . Some dude ” what I want is the same guy as you do and my slurpie” classic.
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For me, the difference is that Kath and Kim, Summer Heights High etc. were satire. Based on my very limited viewing experience, the Shire has no deeper social commentary and it’s not intended to be anything more than what you see.
At the risk of being offensive, shows like this appeal mostly (though not exclusively) to the lowest common denominator. They glorify, rather than parody, lifestyles and attitudes that many people consider unsavoury, which is why so many people are having a whinge about it. That said, those opinions do seem based on only a very short viewing of the show (usually the bits involving Vernessa, Bekkaa and the other one whose name I forget but I can’t be bothered scrolling up to check).
Anyway, my point is that I don’t think The Shire is in any way comparable to shows like Kath and Kim and Summer Heights High and while I agree that people should just not watch the show if they don’t like it, I think people are more concerned that certain (subjectively) unfavourable values are being projected on impressionable minds.
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Nail on the head. Not even Chris Lilley could come up with something this demented.
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Love this article, there is a lot greater crap on tv than The Shire, and we all love to have a great belly laugh at our fellow Australians, maybe those who insult the show are embarrassed because they’ve recognized a tiny part of themselves in the characters? I certainly have, but I will embrace it and will continue to watch The Shire, if only to thank God I live in Melbourne.
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The thing is if enough people are vocal in their disike of shows such as “The Shire”, TV stations will be forced to send money and make quality shows, instead of showing crap T.V.. Free to air T.V. is getting worse and worse. Thank god for the ABC and SBS
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Agreed em! Not on the part about enjoying the shire (as much as I try..) but about haters who rant on social media – you’re just giving channel 10 publicity it wants and needs for its show to succeed. If you’re a true hater, when someone asks what you think of the shire, simply reply, ‘what’s the shire?’
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Agreed em! Not on the part about enjoying the shire (as much as I try..) but about haters who rant on social media – you’re just giving channel 10 publicity it wants and needs for its show to succeed. If you’re a true hater, when someone asks what you think of the shire, simply reply, ‘what’s the shire?’ or ‘why would I waste my breath talking about it?’
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This article was more annoying and pointless than the show, but you got tweeted by Sarah Murdoch so I suppose it was worth it.
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Watched 5 minutes, didn’t like it, turned it off. Always love your writing, Em.
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I have not watched but gosh I am tempted!!! I love all that dramality crap. Loved all the MTV shows. I am going have to watch it online as I do feel I am missing out! I know it’s rot, but I am an adult and I can watch what I want, even if they or their body parts aren’t real. What ev’s
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I wouldn’t wan’t to fly over The Shire, let alone watch it on TV !
But if you enjoy the show, good. Continue to enjoy it.
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best thing i read all day. completely agree with you em!
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I nearly choked on my cup of tea reading this, I am stlll giggling. I want a rap buddy too. Dammit.
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I want a rap buddy, too !
Sorry. The letter “C” on my keyboard has a mind of it’s own and refuses to associte with the letters R, A and P !
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It’s only a TV show ferchrissakes!
It’s screened by the network to gain ratings. And I would have to say, it’s succeeding madly! A bit like those appalling ads we all love to hate – they do exactly what the advertisers want: to get everyone taking notice.
They produced it as entertainment.
Build a bridge, everyone….
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Agreed – happy to say I partake in the strange practice of not watching what I don’t like.
In case I get snarked at, I am reading this article because I am mildly interested in Australia’s reaction to something like this as a society.
The advice to just not watch is good; I also despise this show and everything it represents, but I also hate the current trend of hating things relentlessly because it’s the current thing to make fun of.
But like a commenter below, I think it’s sad people can’t think of anything else to do with their time. There are a hundred things to do to relax and turn off your brain, so that doesn’t work. You can obviously do whatever the hell you want with your time, but I just think that using it to watch this is sad.
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I love that the Shire has forced me to rediscover Australian Story and Four Corners on Channel 2. Last night was fantastic TV with Beccy Cole and the story of her coming out as gay, and an amazing investigation into the Julian Assange story.
thank you Channel 10.
Well done Em. I love car crash TV but this is just a bit too over the top for me.
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Love you Em, so funny. I haven’t seen it yet, will be now!
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Never turned it on, so I can save myself the effort of turning it off.
But seriously, Em’s right – if it’s so terrible, why are you bothering to watch and whinge? Life’s too short to watch bad TV unless it’s a guilty pleasure -and that’s a whole other story …
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I think the only annoying thing is that its on at prime time and there really isn’t that much on that is very good in that time slot. I don’t hate the show I just don’t want to wach it. I wish there was more intelligent humorous TV on. There is so much on offer overseas, no wonder people download and have stopped watching TV
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Em…..you’ve just put into words exactly how I feel about this show. I think it’s unintentionally hilarious, and I’m most curious to see how much bigger the girls lips can get before they start tripping over them.
But I think my favourite part of this post is the comments section where people are still wailing about how horrible the show is ….even after you specifically told them to lighten up. Silly!
Keep it up, you’re hilarious!
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Agreed! Also loving the judgmental comments implying anyone who watches it is clearly lacking in intelligence and contributing to society’s problems etc etc. In fact, just love judgmental people in general
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I watched the first and vowed I wouldn’t watch the second. Hard as I love my so bad it’s good trash tv but I just couldn’t on principle.
Anyway fast forward to last night..oo, look I forgot to turn the digital recorder off from recording The Project so watched it again!
I really think this is a hard one for me. I can see your point Em, and have defended other shows back in the day ( big bro, wife swap, bachie – I mean The Bachelor) with this point but yeah, The Shire is another thing. It’s just so embarrassing that we are trying to emulate the trashiest part of American culture and looking even worse.
Not that I watch jersey shore etc. ‘Dramality’ or whatever the fuck they’re calling it makes my brain short circuit.
“Guess who I bumped into the other day?” Mitch says to his mum over dinner. “Gabby” Yeah funny that, since she’s your co star and scripted to do just that.
Just can’t get my little brain around that. What a mind fuck living their lives must be…
And they are so boring and stupid, my god. Those girls. Oh my god, those girls.
I found myself wondering why didn’t they at least get some interesting, intelligent, witty people for the show? I’m guessing only stupid, vain people would do this?
Ok so there is the kind of rant you’re ranting against I guess Em! Sorry, couldn’t help myself.
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Em, I am loving this so much.
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Em,
I can’t believe you are categorising these Shire people with the likes of Jane Turner, Gina Riley and Chris Lilley.
They are actual Australian comedians who wrote comedy shows like “Kath and Kim” and “We Can Be Heroes” with a lot of humour and intelligence.
The Shire is just cheap, badly acted, cheap TV!
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Yes! I take personal offence that my all time favourite tv shows are considered to be in the leagues of the shire
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My goodness you’re a funny girl. Love your post.
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It’s all good and well to say, “if you don’t like it, don’t watch”.
It’s the fact that it’s there, corrupting who know’s how many impressionable young minds that I object to.
Like so many things out there in the big, bad world, I choose to let people make up their own minds about whatever it might be that they choose to make up their own minds about. Unless, of course, it is illegal.
I decided ages ago that “The Shire” wasn’t for me. However, as one who can’t stand the holier than thou types who demand that it’s their way or no way, I won’t go all kamikaze on those who enjoy this program.
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Em quite ironically taking the “If you don’t like it, leave!” mentality to the Shire.
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I couldn’t have said it better myself! Woohoo Em! I am a born and raised Shire girl and this mix of people on The Shire have nothing to do with me, are nothing like me and are funny to watch because of this. Me thinks those with their knickers in a twist either have no sense of humour or it touches a little too close to home. If ‘Shireries’ think its going to make the WHOLE SHIRE LOOK BAD then let others think that. If you’re proud of living here then thats all that matters, who cares what everyone else thinks, just enjoy YOUR life in Gods Country and lighten up. Why do some people have to be such intellectuals all the time? On another note… SO excited to meet the feret girls next week, bahaha!
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Great post Em!! U r bloody hilarious . U write exactly how u speak , and I love that !!
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I love trash tv, there’s something about flicking on the tv and tuning out the “smart” part of my brain which I use all day at work. I love the botox girls- sure they are dumb but they are harmless and pretty funny. Bekkaa is just weird, the boys are tossers, but I don’t really care. I know The Shire trash but I still watch it- along with Dance Moms, Jersey Shore, Wife Swap…………
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Well said! If you dont like it dont watch it. Its not rocket science!!!
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You had me at fart.
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