Wednesday, April 25, 2007
The most amusing "reality" show on television
This year, our au pair is actually English. Under her influence we have taken to watching BBC America, and accordingly I can report that we have discovered the most amusing "reality" show on television: "How Clean Is Your House?" It sounds more boring than watching paint dry, but it is in fact hilarious. Professional cleaners Kim and Aggie sweep into a different disgusting house or flat every episode, heaping understated yet rapier scorn at the homeowners along the way. They devote the first few minutes to close-up shots of insects and feces, microbiological examination of surfaces, and wide-angle shots of absurd clutter. The rest of the show is an extended examination of cleaning techniques, all with faux dramatic narration and endless British humor -- sort of a mixture of "hints from Heloise" and "Extreme Makeover," but funny. When they are done the home is, of course, beautiful. Then they come back months later for a snap "inspection" to see if the homeowners have maintained their home as rehabilitated or receded into their old ways. Either outcome is satisfying in its own way.
Watch it weeknights at 7:30 on BBC America. And, no, I'm not being paid to write this.
2 Comments:
By 
Fausta, at
Thu Apr 26, 08:50:00 AM:
The only thing about that program is, every time I've watched, I've gone and cleaned a closet in my house.
By Christopher Chambers, at
Thu Apr 26, 02:08:00 PM:
The thing that really amuses me is not so much the single men who are disgusting slobs, but the women. Hell, dealing with kids is tough, but this "I don't have time to keep my house miminally clean [gross, actually]" is laughable. Housewives, shame on you...hahahaha
