Schadenfreude

Dear Schadenfreude,
Welcome back. The English language had banished you to a far away island where words that no one uses anymore go to die. But you fought back, and you won. Vive Schadenfreude!

Normally summer TV is so bad that I actually (gulp) read books. I’m still waiting for my book to come in from the library so I’ve been channel surfing and have come across two gems that can’t be missed.

NYC Prep
I can’t take my eyes off this real-life gossip girl style reality show on Bravo. These kids (age ranging between 16 and 18) tromp around New York like jet setting 35 year-olds. They spend thousands of dollars shopping, traveling and throwing parties. They have casual sex and social climb like hardened pros. Once I got past asking where their parents were and how they can drink in bars, I became fascinated by their seemingly vacuous lives. Through all the bitchiness and brat behavior, the show reminds me that teen angst knows no bounds. Social awkwardness, the sting of rejection and sheer loneliness are painfully visible, even through designer clothes. And let’s not discount how funny it is to watch children pretend like their adults. Favorite quote (from a 16 year old): “It would be social suicide to mess with Jessie. Plus, she’s my in to Project Smile” [the “in” charity that helps children with cleft palettes].

Is She Really Going Out With Him
This is the funniest show that MTV has produced…maybe ever? The premise of the show is profiling a “hot” girl who is dating a jerk that everyone around her hates. Rather than taking the obvious route of an intervention style, self-esteem questioning confrontation show, MTV has taken us on a photographic safari where douche bags are the big game of choice. A Robin Leach style voice narrates the show like Wild Kingdom, naming each type of douche bag by their scientific genus (i.e. “Rocker-bag” or “Beach Bag”). They then follow their prey around town, documenting the life of the “ass-grabbing ass clown” (yes, they actually say that). They follow the gentleman to the gym, the tanning salon, the clubs, the strip clubs, the salon, and shopping….all favorite activities of douche-bags. Ultimately, the girl must make a choice at the end of the show to keep their worthless boyfriend, or send him on his merry way. No matter what the choice at the end, the show leaves me laughing….and wondering why so many people love neck tattoos and side-cocked trucker hats.

Thank you Schaenfreude. It's becoming clear to me why a word meaning "laughing at the misfortunes of others" would have such a strong resurgence.