NKOTB?

Sometimes certain things cross your path and you just say, "Really?" A lot of times, it is followed immediately by, "Why?"

I understand that reunion tours are in vogue these days. Especially for groups you never thought you'd see together again. I mean I ponied up a hundred plus to see the Police. I thought about doing it for Van Halen. And in a "I'll always be a teenage girl at heart" kind of way, I even understand the Spice Girls. But even that part of me looks at the New Kids on the Block new album and tour and says, "Really? Why?" All the aforementioned groups can do pretty much the same thing that made them popular. The Police and VH rock out and the Spice Girls still look good (sort of). I'm not quite sure what made the New Kids so popular but I'm pretty sure it had to do with them being kids. Five thirty-something dudes is suits "Hangin' Tough" might not catch on like it did back then. However, anyone booking these concerts should have plenty of first aid available to deal with all the drunk 40 year old women who haven't partied like this in 15 years.

As I'm writing this I have seen the most annoying commercial for Taco Bell twice. Annoyance aside, you have to consider its purpose or rather the lack thereof. Two (white) guys pull up to a drive thru and start rapping (horribly) about a 89 cent burrito. "Really? Why?" Now maybe its on every half hour because I live in a college town and we like the cheap eats, but I'm pretty sure I live nowhere near Poserville. Its the type of commercial that makes me want to boycott the item and anything associated with it. And for those of you wondering, I've still never had a Mentos.

I think reality television is here to stay. Who could have predicted Survivor could sustain its popularity for this long? And even though the Osborne's flamed out after a few additional seasons, they were pioneers in the industry. But now we have the Osborne effect. Every B-list (or C-list) celebrity thinks they can put camera crews in their house or join a game show and gain notoriety. And the worst part is we give it to them. Gene Simmons, Hulk Hogan, Danny Bonaducci. "Really? Why?" Someone please, please tell me why Flava Flav is still on my TV set. And why women are competing to go out with him. Flav, go find Chuck D and rap. If you need money sell your clocks.

I could go on. Really Maury? Why? Who are the people who go to court on TV and get yelled at by those lady judges? Why? Girls wearing sunglasses that cover their whole face. Really? Why? Are they prescription? Did you singe your eyebrows? Are they 3-D?

Now that I have had my say, what makes you sit back and say, "Really? Why?"