party

Folks, I never got into this job to be a red carpet/party reporter. I'm not good in noisy crowds of people I don't know, and I'm especially not good at fighting other people to be heard in a group. But when I found myself on the press side of the red carpet for the premiere of NBC's Kidnapped last night, I tried to do my best.

The red carpet consists of whatever stars are coming to the premiere slowly walking down a procession of press people: first they pose for photographers, then they talk to television and other video outlets, then they answer questions from lowly print outlets like us. I decided to hang out at the end of the line and catch what I could, since I'd also be going to the screening and the afterparty (which also doubled as the NYTVF launch party). And since I was on the Kidnapped set a few weeks ago (that post is in the works), there wasn't much more to ask the principals that I hadn't already. But it was still an interesting evening. After the jump, a few pictures of my night.

Surprise! You've been bumped from the schedule. UPN has pulled Get This Party Started from its schedule for the rest of February sweeps. The reality show, hosted by ex-Laguna Beach star Kristin Cavallari and some other guy, has had dismal ratings since it premiered two weeks ago. This week's episode about a surprise graduation party scored a 0.4 rating among adults 18-24. Ouch.

The premise of the show is that Kristin and her television-friendly co-host help friends and/or family plan and execute a surprise party for a very deserving person. It must be as boring as it sounds.

Well, MTV's new season of My Super Sweet 16 has just kicked off with yet another obnoxiously spoiled teenager. Okay, we get it: these kids live a more luxurious life than the average American. But does that really entitle them to behave like airheaded, bitchy morons? It's no wonder that society now acts like there's no moral fiber, virtue, anything left in today's youth... After all, popular culture is plagued with pre-teen idiots. Just about every episode features some brat screeching at his or her (usually her) parents and results in me snarling at the TV, "If you say 'whatever' one more time..." followed by some angry flailing.

Is this horrible behavior simply in the name of "love to hate" entertainment or is it a real negative influence on today's youth (I know pre-teens that worship and live by this show)? All of these kids make me sick... especially after I remind myself they're barely younger than me and are already so corrupted. And yet... I can't flip the channel. I've got to admit, all complaining aside, idiocy makes some good TV. Damn guilty pleasure television. Honestly, at this point, I'm not sure if I'm recommending or bashing this show nor am I sure if I love it or hate it. I suppose it's something you have to see for yourself so you can happily complain about it later.