Commentary: Firm resolve
A few suggestions on monitoring entertainment
By Mary Fischer
CNN Headline News
(CNN) -- Welcome to 2005. It's early in the new year. Are you still keeping your New Year's Resolutions?
That's OK. Don't feel bad. Your resolution was probably too hard or dull to keep. Besides, if anything's really worth doing -- then it's probably worth starting to do in April or September, not just January. So start later on, when there's not as much pressure.
If you still want in on the fun of making New Year's promises to yourself, let me offer you some resolutions that don't involve what you eat or if you exercise or some other such boring nonsense. I think these resolutions are worth sticking to, and may even make you a better person. But that's just my opinion. So here we go:
Make celebrities choose a career and stick with it
If your favorite soap star writes a children's book, don't buy it. If you love a teen sensation on the big screen, don't rush out to get her new CD. When athletes catch the acting bug, don't indulge their insanity by watching their new sitcoms.
Stop paying attention to J. Lo's lovelife
Really, enough is enough. You can wish Jennifer Lopez luck in her search for happiness, but don't check in on her progress. That's just a drain on your own life force.
Start watching television shows that feature professional actors
I think it should be apparent by now that "reality shows" have nothing to do with reality. If you want to watch people in contrived circumstances portray overwrought emotions, let professionals handle it. I think it's more honest, and couldn't we all use a little more honesty in our lives?
Don't decide what movie to see based on what's at the top of the box office
Democracy's great, but often large groups of people make horrible choices. Take, for instance, the macarena.
Avoid awards shows
Along those same lines, avoid awards shows. If you think a movie or television show or a CD is great, that's enough. It doesn't matter what the Screen Actors Guild or the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences thinks. If you need to know what was worn at the awards galas, check out any major magazine after it airs.
DVDs are wonderful, but don't bother with alternate endings
If those endings were better, why weren't they used in the first place? And if they aren't better, why would you want to waste your time watching them? Try to force filmmakers to use the best ending possible from the get-go.
I realize these resolutions could be tough to stick to, but challenge yourself in 2005. I think you'll surprise yourself with your resolve. And by 2006, I think you'll be a much happier person.
