The Sublime and the Ridiculous

Okay, so "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" may not have been sublime last night, but it was close. In the season finale, Kathy, accompanied by her assistants, went to perform at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. There, she met not just soldiers who had been wounded, most had lost limbs, but their families as well. More than once, she fought back tears, but always in private. She was determined to not let the soldiers or their families see her cry.

What we did see was Kathy bringing out a soldier or two, but more often being amazed and amused by the humor they showed. Talks with the soldiers and their families gave her some great material for her show that night. Her trip to Afghanistan and Iraq last year was gut-wrenching. This time it was the heart the got wrenched. I am so impressed when Kathy lets us she the caring person she is beneath all the bluster. Now I remember why I watch the show and put up with the silliness and vulgarity. I'm glad Bravo shows episodes multiple times because I want to watch it again.

On the other end of the spectrum, in a place both ridiculous and ludicrous, was "Reality Bites Back". Last night's episode was "So You Think You Can Dive". How they got Greg Louganis got talked into playing a judge for the show is beyond me. I think he wondered that himself.

The comics, only five left, had lessons in diving, then made two dives. The first was supposed to have some technical form to it. Chris Fairbanks actually made a decent time, complete with flip. Amy Schumer made her dives from a low board. I'm not sure how she managed to stay in the competition, but she's my favorite, so I'm happy. Well, as happy as I can be considering the lameness of the show.

Bert Kreischer was the one eliminated. The show was a little confusing. Louganis handed out an immunity rose after each dive. Chris got the first one, Amy the second. The remaining three contestants ended up in a board room where Louganis announced who would be leaving. One has to believe the comics are happy when they are sent home. Bert took his time leaving, removing his swim trunks and doing some sort of nude farewell dance. Of course, they blurred all the good parts, but that was probably a blessing.

So, with Louganis on the show, we had another Olympics tie-in. I wonder how many more there will be. I still think the competitons are the best reality show of all. Boise got its first gold medal winner, cyclist Kristin Armstrong (no relation). Michael Phelps is going for the gold and the USA's female gymnasts brought home the gold and the silver.