One of the newest, and probably most anticipated,
shows on the TLC network is Something
Borrowed, Something New. The show just began its first season a few weeks
ago and I am already hooked. No surprise here really because I am obsessed with
all the TLC wedding shows,
especially ones that focus mainly on the dress.
In Something Borrowed, Something New brides must choose between wearing a
family heirloom dress (usually the mother’s wedding dress,) that dressmaker,
Kelly Nishimoto, redesigns for them, or wearing a new dress that stylist Sam
Saboura chooses. Needless to say, tears are shed and hugs are shared as the
brides struggle to make a decision.
The dresses that the brides
bring in their original condition are always quite outdated and usually not in
line with the style of the bride. This is only to be expected though, because
they are decades old. Kelly has the girls try on the old dress and then she
makes a sketch and begins tailoring the new masterpiece.
While the brides are in
Kelly’s workshop, Sam sets out to find them the perfect dress. He always
manages to please the brides,while taking into account the opinions of friends
and family.
In the end, the brides are
always presented with quite the difficult decision. How do you choose between
your mother’s dress: a family heirloom, an item that has so many memories and
so much love attached to it. Or, a brand new dress picked just for you: stylish,
modern and perfectly fitted. Tune in on Friday nights at 10 p.m. to
see if they pick Something Borrowed or Something New.
If your mom ever sucked you into watching Antiques Roadshow
with her, and you secretly kind of enjoyed it, you will probably also enjoy
Pawn Stars. I really didn’t think I could become hooked on a show that takes
place in a pawn shop, but the mystery of the story and value behind each item
is enough to keep me watching. Featured on the History Channel, the show
focuses on the Harrison family’s Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, located just
outside of Las Vegas. Three generations of men run the pawn shop together:
grandfather Richard, son Rick and grandson Corey. Together they amusingly
appraise, and make offers on, some very interesting and historical items
presented to them by all kinds of individuals.
Almost everyone that comes into the shop is looking to sell
their items for a very desirable profit. The stories behind some of the things
that come into the shop are quite incredible and a little hard to believe. This
usually leads to the shop owners calling upon an expert to examine and appraise
the item at its highest value. If the item turns out to be authentic, one of
the Harrison men are usually willing to make an offer on it. However, this
offer is usually much lower than the amount desired by the seller. With their
stubborn attitudes and years of experience, they usually manage to get an
amazing deal on whatever they buy.
Easily one of the most ridiculous, yet captivating shows
currently on TV is My Strange Addiction. Featured on TLC, this show is just so
far out there I don’t know where to begin. It’s sort of like Intervention for
the craziest addictions you have ever heard of. If you have a hard time
believing that drugs or alcohol could completely control someone’s life, wait
until you hear what these people are addicted to.
Some of the episodes
I’ve seen include addictions to a doll head, eating Comet, drinking gasoline,
bathing in and drinking one’s own urine, sniffing baby powder, sleeping with a blow dryer and eating cat hair.
The list only gets more weird, believe me. The craziest part is that these
people really NEED these things. They have formed such strong addictions in
their mind, they don’t believe they can function without these items.
The first half of the show usually focuses on the person
with the strange addiction, as they explain why and how it came to be. Later in
the show family and friends try to reason with them, and they almost perform a
mini intervention. A health professional is also usually consulted, whether it
be a physician or mental health professional, in order to try and communicate
the seriousness of the addiction.
From my experience watching the show, most of the addicts
are reluctant to give up their vices, even after speaking with friends, family
and professionals. It doesn’t matter if the addiction is causing bodily harm or
is just an inconvenience, these individuals have completely convinced
themselves that they need them to live. I guess it’s all really a question of
mind over matter for these individuals. Tune in on Wednesday nights, this show
might just become your strange addiction.
