Maury Povich: Does his Show Send Mixed Messages?

 

PATERNITY TEST are not the only scandalous episodes on Maury!

   It’s needless to say that Maury or The Maury Show, is one of the biggest and longest running shows on daytime television. Part of the show’s longevity is due in part to his primary niche. THE PATERNITY TEST! Over the years, Maury has solidified himself as the king of the talk show paternity test. And we know it’s impossible to deny seeing one of his shows dedicated to a group of poor young women trying to figure their baby daddies are for the sixteenth time. And its not hard to figure out that most of his viewers like this kind of drama. That’s fine!
   However, once in a good while, he'll have a show on dealing with a different topic. Some of these other shows messages, in my opinion, are misleading. Primarily the shows dealing with people who were unattractive or geeks and are now knockouts. You've seen an episodes like this. Usually the title is something like, “I used to be a geek, now I’m sheek!” In my opinion, given the type of guests who appear on stage, I think this is an appropriate title for the episode. “I used to be a geek, but now I’m a freak!”

I think someone made a  mistake with this title. 

   The so-called former geeks or ugly ducklings come on the show, having grown up to become very provocative strippers and porn stars. Don’t get me wrong! Some of the former geeks grew up to become your standard run-of-the-mill models. Which is okay! And I have to admit. Some of them have grown up to become not only beautiful, but classy as well. Yet, that’s few and far. Not to mention, the majority of these guest still have personal hang-ups and insecurities.

Are these geeks really sheek?

   
   Ordinarily, a former geeks primary purpose is  to reveal to some jerk who used to treat him or her like Oscar the Grouch, that he or she is no longer a despicable dork. That’s hilarious isn't? That some individuals want to show some loser from ten, sometimes twenty years prior, how significant they are.

Now Michelle, if only for a moment, lets think this through. Does this joker really look like he's worth getting snazzy for?

   Shouldn't they feel significant already? In my opinion, tracking someone down to show them his or her self worth is a bit unnecessary. That’s like me going to some of my old classmates and confronting them about how much of a success I have become, in addition to how they used to treat me.
   My obvious verdict: that would be a waste of good time. Even if I did, no one would care if I was successful. In fact, they’d probably hate me even more. Not to mention that I have more important things to do than trying to impress some ignoramus I should care less about. How absurdly pointless!
  It's amazes me how these people are still miserable because of what some idiot said or did to them years prior. Which means that they have never disbarred the silly remarks made about them years prior. Ergo, the geeks are just as much of a loser as the bullies. Even though they appear to have overcome the torment, the wounded feelings are still there.
   I understand if a person desires to display his or her capacity to overcome a tough time. But one doesn't have to track people down or come on national television to say “Hey, I’m a winner now.” Wouldn't living a positive life display your success anyway?

Now, it’s time to call a spade a spade!

   
   Like I said earlier, there are a few geeks that are attractive to me. But I have to say, about 90% of are nothing but a bunch of floozies.That's what they are okay. No? Then answer me this. How will growing up to become the town’s slut (be it male or female) proves that you have outdone some washed up jock that's working at your local Odd Job retailer? (By the way, wouldn't it be ecstatic if a former geek brought someone in from his or her past and they still behaved like a jerk? That’s happened a few times now that I think of it!) I reiterate, several of the geeks and ugly ducklings (like the one in the picture below) grew up to become very attractive as well as respectable. But even some of them dress extremely provocative.

Model Andrea Perez: Before and After

Is there a bit of hypocrisy in “I Use To Be A Geek” episodes?

 
   This is where the title of this blog becomes most relevant! I’m sure we all have our opinions of strippers and porn stars, but I think it’s safe to say that the bulk of society does not inspire to take off their clothes on stage or engage in sexual activities for a living. Not now, not ever! Or at least…I hope not ever!

That's right Maury! Cover up that 14-year-old future stripper!

   However, from one time or another, I’m sure you've seen an episodes dealing with wild and crazy teen girls. (By the way, is it me, or does anybody find it sort of creepy that a 74-year-old man has been surrounding himself with a bunch of underage girls for the last 15 years? How come he never has any wild teen boys on his stage! Teenage boys have problems too Maury! What? Are they just way too extreme for the show?) Several of these scantly clad teenage women aspire to become strippers and/or porn stars. Am I right?

She wants to be a stripper and porn star. Maury  is not feeling this. Wait! What?

   Ironically, Maury berates them for wanting to pursue these kind of professions. Wait a minute! I'm confused. Let’s get this straight Maury! You're trying to tell us that it’s okay to become an adult entertainer or exotic dancer if you were geeky, unattractive, and had about as much self-esteem as Ugly Betty, but obscene if you‘re an out of control adolescent. Are the wild teens visiting the show, too extreme for the pole or porn? The message is a bit confusing.
   Moreover, several of the wild teens that come on his show have low self-esteem. Don’t they? I thought that Maury would encourage their future aspirations. I guess in order for Maury to give his consent towards people in the porno business, a person must be the recipient of pain and torment as opposed to giving it.
   Also note that Maury never questions some of the former geeks about their professions. Questions relating to whether or not these individuals are truly happy and proud of what they do. Or questions pertaining to how long the former ugly ducklings plan to stay in their given professions. He just seems to go along with their behavior.

As you can see, he just goes along with it!

   Bringing me precisely to another point of confusion! Does Maury candidly think that attractive but shallow people are the only ones who make inspiring role models? Ugly ducklings turning into beautiful swans is a terrific phenomenon. Got it! But, is beauty the only thing that matter? It‘s no secret that an individual’s success is measured by more than his or her outward appearance.

Bubble-heads and Bimbos

Matt! You're still smitten. O' girl didn't give you the time of day. I thought you were smarter!

   Maybe it’s myth, but I thought geeks and nerds were supposed to be somewhat intelligent! However, if you examine the ones on his show, well… they're kinda half-baked. I don’t know! Maybe they’re just acting idiotic and dumb. Then again, I don’t think you need a big brain when you're making  a living taking off your clothes.
   Occasionally, Maury introduces some nerdy teenager (usually a girl) to the show. This individual consist of low self-esteem, sad teary eyes, and a homely look. (your basic hackneyed dork) and gives them a make over. Afterwards, they look and act like the same idiotic former geeks that are on the show.
   Listen, we don’t need to add another shallow, dimwitted, sleazy guest to the collection. On top of it all, they make it seem like the only way he or she can accommodates any worth is by getting a tacky, physical make over. Sending this message to geeks or nerds is sad when you think about it.
  As long as an individual change their outward appearance, his or her confidence will grow? I don‘t buy it! If that’s the case, how come several of the lapse geeks need Maury to help them confess his or her feelings towards their secret crush? True confidence comes from within!

So this is my point! 

   There are several former geeks, nerds, and dorks who were tormented. However, they didn't all grow up to become professional peelers or adult entertainers. Why not bring other kinds of successful former dorks and nerds on the show? Like people who were teased but are now best selling authors, lucrative business men, or affluent doctors. I don’t think successful former geeks with descent occupations are difficult to find. And as far as I can tell, they're just as interesting. I know they're more interesting than some of those slutty swans on the show. I'm sure I'm not alone on this view.
   Now I know I've been ranting much on this subject. And to your shock, I’m not saying that Maury shouldn't bring a porn star or a stripper on the show every once in a while. But not all of the time!? The majority of the guess we see should consist of a variety of interesting occupations. Let me ask this question. How many people want their tormented child to become a porn star or exotic dancers? Because, believe it or not there are children watching “I used to be a geek” episodes. And telling them that it’s cool to be a stripper is influencing young geeks and nerds! Start bringing other professionals on the show Maury!

So I guess it’s time to conclude this post right? 

   Listen, I’m sure Maury is a great guy. And given his lastingness, he’s certainly an intelligent guy. Outdoing many tabloid talk show such as Geraldo, The Phil Donahue Show, The Montel Williams Show, and Jenny Jones. However, his producers as well as himself must modify the way success and prestige is presented. Not to mention, if he is supportive of individuals with exotic occupations, then he must go all the way. There’s a bit of hypocrisy when he chastises the teenage girl who wants to expose her body in a nude way. I get it, they’re underage. But, instead of scolding them for it, why not encourage them to become porn stars or strippers when they get older? Maybe, he doesn't want to look like a creepy old man.Then again, who knows? Finally, can he start having more shows on other than baby mama dramas!?

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