Reality T.V. encore!

Reality T.V. is instant drama, happiness, tears, skipping of heart beats, mind-numbing dumbness, awe-inspiring intelligence all at the same time! No wonder, our generation thrives on a staple diet of talent-based shows whether it's singing, dancing, cooking, designing, styling or even doing things which make you question the very definition of talent; then there are the shows which feast on emotional turmoil and almost dysfunctional people; shows which make celebrities out of regular people and shows which make conventional celebrities seem really, really ordinary. Reality T.V. has enough show-casing of a competitive spirit both inspiring and sickening! I feel that this duality of reality shows and the instant gratification and repulsion they bring keeps them economically and emotionally viable.

I saw a few episodes of Top Chef Masters-season 1 and it was a refreshing change when I saw a show not only replete with exceptionally talented and experienced chefs from all over America competing to win a 100,000 dollar prize for their favourite charities but with simple elegance! These are renowned chefs who are teachers, who run some of the country's best restaurants and who are visibly beyond conventional competition. It was quite heart-warming to see their camaraderie and how they were helping each other out to meet deadlines or sharing valuable pieces of advice with each other between artistically prepared courses. Being that good and being able to ask for help and listen to advice coming from your equals, makes you truly genius! And when each week one of them gets eliminated, their departure is so gracious; there's no name-calling, no tears, no drama! That is true competitive spirit, appreciating someone who did a job better than you at that time, during that competition and it takes nothing away from the brilliance of your talent but only adds to it! Right? :)

Check the show and its master chefs out:
http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef-masters/season-1/about