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Ed Said - We don't know how lucky we are

 

As the first anniversary of the covid outbreak here ticks by, life in New Zealand seems to have slipped back into a fairly comfortable rhythm for many of us. There hasn’t been some profound moment that has led us here, it’s just we Kiwis seem to be fairly resilient, able to weather the storm, then shake ourselves off and get on with it, move on.

There are a few agonising signs though that we have quickly let the mundane cloud some of the serious reality. As if our own covid-induced reality isn’t bad enough, the amount of media coverage that follows the misfortunes of contestants on The Bachelorette and The Bachelor is a sad state of affairs. To those hooked on the show its both unpalatable and compulsive viewing at the same time. Knowing it will end in tears, you watch anyway. It’s a slow emotional train wreck. Can any good come of it? Usually, no.

Ironically reality TV is anything but. And after a harrowing rose ceremony, strangely these hastily coupled couples find their relationships suffer badly in the actual ‘real world’, the one on the other side of the camera.

Bachelorette Lexie and Hamish were apparently still going strong, then suddenly they were no more. Bachelor Moses and his rose Annie also crashed and burned. It’s a bit strange how, despite all the passion and pashing, by the time the final episode airs these relationships are usually over. Who wants yesterday’s news tomorrow?

What is our fascination with the broadcasting of fake reality, contrived relationships, and dirty laundry? Maybe the irony is that reality TV is just an escape for the viewer from the ‘reality’ of their own mundane lives.

Speaking of laundry, infinitely more attention grabbing are the wardrobe shenanigans of Hilary Barry on TVNZ’s Seven Sharp. Unlike most reality TV couples, Barry and co-host Jeremy Wells make a great on-screen duo. Experts at witty repartee, both can laugh at themselves and each other. Jeremy’s languid and sometimes laddish presentation style perfectly complements Hilary’s energy and risque clothing choices, which have become the stuff of legend in broadcasting and social media circles.

It’s a subject that at times grips the nation as viewers tune in wondering what Hilary will be wearing that night. Will it be the cheeky off-the-shoulder number? Off one shoulder or both? Perhaps the aubergine blouse with the plunging neckline? Or the floral ensemble that shows a little of everything?

Hilary is an active, and savvy Instagrammer, baiting her fashion police detractors like Ken, Jocelyn and Barb with previews or feedback on the saucy numbers that she’s copping criticism for. What’s more fun is Hilary is happy to puff her chest out (pun intended) and discuss the whole business on air now and then. I agree wholeheartedly with you Hilary, “they’re just boobs”.

See how distracting it all is? Now we are talking seriously about travel bubbles, suddenly there is an interest in the outside world again. But how much interest have we taken in the outside world lately? I have to admit losing touch a little. Alarmingly I read that despite their vaccination push, US covid cases have recently risen in 25 states and they are now battling the UK variant.

That same variant is affecting much of Europe where countries like France and Poland struggle to contain a surge in cases. Brazil and India have a new and deadlier strain. Ukraine, North Macedonia, Greece, Serbia – all are suffering with mixtures of increased cases, lockdowns and recession. Outside our borders it’s not over yet.

Perhaps our most eloquent and sartorial kiwi bloke, Fred Dagg, said it best in song, way back in 1975: We don’t know how lucky we are / We just don’t realise how fortunate we are / We have no idea of the luck we possess, collectively / We just don’t know how lucky we all are. Full stop.

Rich Pooley
Editor
info@mangawhaifocus.co.nz

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:Got an opinion about something, good, bad or ugly? Let others know about it. Email your letters to the editor, info@mangawhaifocus.co.nz. Senders name can be withheld, but name, address and contact number must be included. Letters may be abridged to fit.


 
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