I am obsessed with a certain kind of TV show of late. I’m not sure I can totally identify why, but here it is: Those shows that put on display various psychological disorders/physical barriers. Specifically shows like “Hoarders”, “Animal Hoarders”, and “Heavy.”
It’s these kinds of shows…the ones that are almost too difficult to watch. I find them compelling to the point that if they have a marathon, I’ll have a problem.
I think part of my fascination with these shows is that these are normal people who hit a major roadblock in their life. No different from you or me, but for some reason there is something that prevents them from fully functioning in our society. I find that fascinating because it makes me wonder what it would take in my life for me to start feeling the compulsion to keep 30 cats in my house. What would it take for me to allow myself to weigh 400 lbs? What is it that snaps in their heads that keeps them from throwing things away?
Perhaps the greatest benefit to me personally of watching these shows is that I then end up doing a lot of cleaning and exercising.
Another thing I truly love about these shows is that they are not just portraits of these people. These shows are proactive, and really reach out to these people in every way possible to try to help them. They send in professional therapists, personal trainers (depending on the show), large volume trash/organization gurus (also depending on the show). All the people necessary to get these lost individuals back on track. Then the shows track their progress. I don’t equate these shows with most other “reality” shows because the show does not set them up for failure. It truly wants and implores these people to become their best selves.
I’m not advocating more of these shows, because I’m not sure I could handle it. I’m just saying I really enjoy them. There you go.