Pop Vultures

I have a secret shame, and those who’ve read this blog for a while know that I rarely feel shame over my television choices. I mean, I watch America’s Next Top Model, so I have nary a leg to stand on when it comes to trashy TV. However, during the strike, I was so desperate for some light-hearted fare that I turned to One Tree Hill. I figured that, considering my weakness for teen soaps, it couldn’t be that bad.

But oh, is it bad. So terribly, horribly, fantastically bad. It’s so bad it crosses the line back into fabulous. I’ve heard comparisons to the Melrose Place glory days, though I wouldn’t go that far. Until someone returns from the dead to reclaim their former lover and rips off their perfect wig to reveal a skull criss-crossed with brain surgery scars, it can’t claim to be in the same league. However, the show does feature a 22-year-old who not only has her own major fashion label, but her own national magazine, and she recently decided that, despite being single and, you know, 22, she needed to adopt a child. Not enough? How about a famous author AND high school basketball coach, or a former rock star/current English teacher who somehow finds time, between marking papers and raising a family, to also produce a hit album for her friend’s indie record label? This show isn’t just removed from reality; it saw reality approaching and decided to hit it with a Mach truck before reversing over it several times, leaving it gasping and defeated. Still, while reality may have no place on One Tree Hill, the show has fun, and I can respect that (even if I don’t entirely respect myself for watching). The show owns its ridiculousness, and if you can embrace that, it’s a damn good time.

Plus, it’s got basketball. That may not mean much to you, but a good basketball game is one of the things I miss about the US (along with Mexican food, top shelf bourbon, and really big trees), and there are some pretty good basketball moments on the show. Also, I just found out this week that James Lafferty (who plays the briefly paralyzed, borderline alcoholic Nathan) and other stars of the show are holding their annual charity basketball game this Saturday in Wilmington, NC, with the proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Wilmington Family YMCA, and Winnie’s Garden, which provides support for animal shelters and homeless pets. I may not take the show seriously, but I do take the welfare of pets and children very seriously, and am happy to help publicize this event – even if it does mean breaking my silence of shame.

Any other One Tree Hill viewers want to ‘fess up? Or do you have your own secrets to admit? Come on, we’re all friends here.