Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Would You...On Camera?

There's lots of TV shows popping up lately like "I Propose" on the Style Network and "My Super Proposal" on Spike TV that are all knock-offs of shows just like them from years before. Basically, put some poor guy through his paces, make him go to desperate measures to create an amazing proposal, and hope the girl says yes.

Talk about a lot of pressure.

Not just for the guy. I mean, guys are nervous enough. First, they have to get up the nerve to ask the girl. Then they have to get the ring. Pick a date to ask. Pick a location. Come up with a speech, or at least something better than "wanna get hitched?" and then there's the worry about whether she'll even say yes.

But when you add in TV cameras, a live (or even not live) audience, and dozens of family and friends waiting behind a curtain to jump out and yell, "Surprise," you've created an entirely new dynamic.

What happens if the girl doesn't fall for the ruse? What happens if the proposal is refused? And then that most humiliating moment is replayed, over and over again, on national television for years to come. It's bad enough to live through it in real life (no matter which side of the ring you're on), but to have it blasted on television screens throughout North America (and don't forget You Tube and the network's website, and people's blogs...)...it's a wonder anyone signs up for these shows.

Yet, they do. What I wonder is whether YOU would. Would you say "Yes" on camera? Would you propose on camera? Or would you rather keep that in a quiet, private, just the two of you moment? I know my DH was nervous enough, without the added pressure of a camera crew ;-).

Shirley

posted by Shirley @ 6:07 AM