Uplifting Towards a New Low

Nadir of All Game Shows

Something about game shows has always fascinated me. Not the ones that test intellectual ability or even trivia knowledge, but the shows that reward inane, silly, and asinine behavior. The outgrowth of shows where people dress outrageously has been the so-called "reality shows," in which people demonstrate behaviors that are designed to shock and awe. But just because it is not my cup of humiliation does not mean that many others feel the same. Those shows consistently get high ratings - the more outlandish and self-deprecating, the better the ratings.

Just when I thought it could not get any more depraved or sick, a new competition debuted in Las Vegas. The object of the show is for contestants to qualify for free breast implants. The show is called, "Boobs or Bust 2: Go Big or Go Home." The contest, such as it was, took place at the Jet nightclub inside the Mirage. The contest featured has-been and wanna-be celebrities to get the hype going.

The "game" is played by providing funny money, which is called "boob bucks" to "gentlemen" in bottle-service booths inside the club. These guys are low end high rollers who pay $ 600 for a bottle of booze and consider themselves what in the old days would be called "the cat's meow." The 50 or so contestants become as flirtatious as possible in order to secure as many bucks as possible. The one with the most bucks at the end of the game wins a $ 5,000 "enhancement."

The game is as old as mankind. Women audition for men in hopes of attracting enough attention to turn his wiles into a long term relationship - but in this case, "long term" lies in the eyes - or chest - of the beholder. The contest continues until the very wee hours of the morning when three potential winners move to center stage to count the bucks secured from the bucks. A winner is declared, takes the check and giggles her way offstage. Only in Las Vegas? Maybe so, maybe not, but I'm not sure such a game show would play in Peoria. Ok maestro, do the first fer lines from "Money... The best things in life are free, but you can leave them to the birds and bees, I want money....."

Dr. Forgot