Against gay marriage? How about this ‘fairytale?’
FILE: Kim Kardashian Reportedly Files For Divorce From Kris Humphries
sue ontiveros sontiveros@suntimes.com
I keep wondering, where are they?
Their thing is to show up, waving signs, shaking their fists, all in the name of preserving the sanctity of marriage. Interrupters, so to speak. They’re very good at getting on TV talk shows, wringing their hands as they claim all they want to do is defend traditional marriage. Maybe I’m hitting the talk shows at the wrong time, but I can’t find a one of them anywhere.
If the objective of the protesters who stand so vigorously against gay marriage really is to protect the institution, this is their moment.
Surely they haven’t missed the national obsession with Kim Kardashian filing for divorce this week after a mere 72 days of being wife to the NBA’s Kris Humphries. After all, coverage of the announcement that this wasn’t everlasting love hijacked even “Nightline.”
It’s not the fact that Kardashian and Humphries’ rocky relationship, bickering engagement and luxury-plus wedding have been the fodder of reality TV that I feel marriage protecters should find offensive. No, what I think should have them taking to the streets is that the show has gone on and on.
By the show I mean the actual reality TV special, “Kim’s Fairytale Wedding,” on E!, the cable channel that seems to own the Kardashians — or wait, it’s probably the other way around. (When there’s a two-hour hoopla and the groom’s name doesn’t make the title, that speaks volumes.)
Anyway, you’d think when the bride calls things off after less than three months, the TV “Fairytale” would vanish in embarrassment. Instead, it was refashioned into a two-episode special last week, and supposedly a disclaimer was added explaining that when Kardashian said “I do” she only meant for a little while.
In news reports, E! defended its decision to repeat this sham, oops, I mean show, saying it’s re-airing because “we’re a topical network.” What that means: It’s making big bucks. The special reportedly drew 4 million viewers the first time it aired in October.
Anyone truly worried about protecting marriage should be standing tall right now. “Kim’s Fairytale,” those “Bridezillas” and the other wedding-centric reality shows chip away at what marriage really is. These shows have managed to shift the focus from the institution itself to the one-day celebration, giving their biggest audience — impressionable young girls — the idea that this is what marriage is all about. And that if things don’t work right away, walking out is optional.
Marriage is serious business. It’s a partnership that shouldn’t be entered into just to wear a designer gown and do the Chicken Dance. Hardly a married couple exists who don’t face tough challenges along the way. You better make sure the person you marry is someone who can stand with you in the bad times. But, oh, the rewards when you manage to work together to make a strong and lasting union.
I can’t see how two guys — or gals — in love, standing up in their Sunday best to say “I do,” harms traditional marriage.
But continuing to air a show that treats the institution like a theatrical production, something OK to end as quickly as it begins? That’s worthy of hoisting a sign in protest.
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