“The Hills” — A Night At The Opera
Pic via MTV.com
Remember back when The Hills was just a whimsical digression? Somewhere along the way things got murky. They seemed to be trying a lot harder. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that the series has turned into two completely different shows, “Engaged and Enraged with Heidi and Spencer” and “The Fabulously Boring Life of Lauren Conrad.” Attempts were made for inner-series crossovers, but those never work out. Now we’re left with a product that isn’t even attempting to keep up the guise of “reality” and because of this we start noticing things like “acting ability” or “dialogue” and like Mayor Royce after attempting to put a positive spin on legalized drugs, I’ve found myself taking a step back, throwing my hands up and saying, “What was I thinking?” More after the jump…
I knew it was going to happen the second Spencer’s sister entered the picture. Not just because they might as well have added a baby, or a new neighbor, or any number of shark-jumping cliches, but because when the three were discussing the future wedding the She-Pratt “just remembered” that she applied to be a minister on-line and of course wanted to Marry her two most favoritest people on the planet. Just remembered? That’s like “just remembering” that sex-change operation you had last week, or “just remembering” you killed a guy. It was silly. It was forced. It was the bginning of the end.
I will admit that the big confrontation at Opera between the She-Pratt and Lauren and Audrina and Brody and Frankie would have been pretty great had there been anything more to it than what we saw last week in the previews. Instead the evening devolved into this fight (natch) between Audrina and Justin/Bobby/Justin-Bobby over whether or not he was actually making out with some chick at the bar right in front of her. The details of this argument don’t matter, because the two people in the middle of the argument were so half-assing it the thing played like a student-film. Justin/Bobby/Justin-Bobby was his typical aloof self, though instead of just being an ass he also appeared to be down-right amused by what was clearly being asked of him by the producers of this show. As for Audrina, anytime she’s suppose to “play sad” it ends up looking far more jovial, like she can’t keep a straight far (hell, she probably can’t… I couldn’t).
I found the whole thing solidly unsettling. You’d look at their faces, their stupid blank faces and see nothing but the wheels turning, trying to remember the blocking and the scene. The only person on this show who is convincing in her portrayal is Heidi who looks genuinely sad whenever we see her interacting with anyone. Though the more I think about her scenes the more the more I wonder if that sadness is not the result of an actress playing a part but of a woman looking at what is happening right in front of her: bad television.
November 27th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
Agreed. The Hills is starting to bite.
But Rick- are you still watching Samantha Who? Because I’ve come to LOVE that show. This week’s bonding between Ahndrea and Dina/Tina was great. Love that show! Write more about it and less about the craptastic Hills.
November 27th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
It’s funny because I dumped “Samantha Who?” two weeks ago soley because of time constraints, though perhaps I’ll make the switch back. Here’s the thing: my television viewing has become perhaps a tad too, um… girly. I can really only afford to pick it up if something else gets dumped.
November 27th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
Well… I mean, I like both Samantha Who? and The Hills, but I see your point. You are a man and must act like a man- at least sometimes. If you are over The Hills, then bring me some Samantha Who! I will keep you updated on the show’s progress in the mean time.
Whatever you do, just keep bringing me my Gossip Girl. God I love that show. My goal in life is to be Blair Waldorf.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:04 am
I watch the hills online with Kevin, Paul, Liz and a few other MW or StuDems or what have you. We realized that our favorite parts of the episode are the following:
1. When we know they are about to show a clip that was one of the previews (ex: oh they are going to do the Forgive you and forget you line soon yessss!)
2. When the show is over and they show the previews for ‘next week on the hills’
Word on the street though, is that next week is the finale? So maybe you won’t have to worry? You’re the tv guy, I’m sure you can find out.
November 29th, 2007 at 8:27 am
I hear Whitney is being booted and recast to get someone not so white.