In the beginning, reality television was limited to stereotypical college students on The Real World and people thrown on an island in Survivor. Now, in search of more fame and notoriety, athletes are embracing all forms of overexposure.
Want to see Ochocinco's killer dance moves? You got it.
Do you honestly need more Terrell Owens in your life? Well, luckily VH1 broadcasts T.O.'s reality show.
The Apprentice? Celebrity Mole? Check and Check. Athletes galore.
More and more recently, athletes have found second homes for themselves on reality television. It is one thing to be spokespeople for certain brands or advocate some causes, but anything more than that, beside the occasional Saturday Night Live performance, is ridiculous.
Ochocinco, as a prime example of crazy showmanship, is set to make just under five million dollars this year. Instead of hitting the gym and attending Bengal's offseason conditioning camp, he donned his blue suede shoes and danced the night away. He may have met his future fiancé, nixing his upcoming dating show in the process, but in real reality, he should save those dance moves for the few times he finds the endzone.
Serena and Venus Williams got real for six episodes, and graced viewers with a glimpse inside both champions' lives off the court - complete with their clothing line and Serena's attempt at a modeling career. They followed in the footsteps of Jose Canseco, who appeared on VH1's The Surreal Life 5, feeding his need to never lose the spotlight.
Some of you may remember Jesse Palmer was drafted in the fourth round by the New York Giants and warmed the bench for Kerry Collins, or that he played briefly in the Canadian Football League for the Montreal Alouettes. Most of you probably remember him, however, as his titular role in The Bachelor. Just like his football career, his relationship with winner Jessica Bowlin didn't last long either.
And Michael Jordan may have been the Chicago Bulls MVP during his stellar career, but his former teammate Dennis Rodman is the all star of reality television. Rodman has appeared on The Surreal Life, Celebrity Apprentice, the British Celebrity Big Brother, Geek to Freak, and even took home $220,000 in winnings from his stint on Celebrity Mole.
Still, athletes who appear on these reality shows are an embarrassment.
Professional athletes are supposed to be role models, people we look up to. Kids grow up dreaming of the day they have their shot at the pros. Now, instead of kids watching their heroes dominate on the field, they see them trapped on an island, confined in a house or sitting in a meeting room across from Donald Trump.
Athletes make millions and millions of dollars, they don't need even more money or face time. As for the ones who don't have much money and need these shows to stage a comeback, well, that's their fault anyway.
These shows, whether long or short, test my faith in professional athletes. Many not only play for our favorite teams during the season, but they also represent our country at world championships and Olympics.
Dennis Rodman, for example, went from being an NBA champion to banned from the Yucatan.
In the words of Tony Kornheiser, Child please
get off my TV. I don't want to see, nor do I care, what Jose Canseco does behind closed doors. Who really does? These people are supposed to be athletes, not the regular reality show trash I enjoy making fun of.
Courtney Cohen is a sophomore studying journalism and Wednesday columnist for The Post. Send her your defense of athletes seeking attention at cc363207@ohiou.edu
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Opinion
Courtney Cohen
