Husband and wife team Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott’s new reality show, True Tori, made its long awaited debut (roll eyes here) on Lifetime last Tuesday. Why this next installment in the Spelling franchise? So Tori could get the “true” story out of course about Dean’s cheating, as opposed to the one that has been leaked (she has been leaking?) to the press since the news broke back in December.
Is anyone really surprised by what went down? I mean, seriously, who would actually be shocked to hear Dean cheated on Tori, his wife of seven years, when, in fact, these two got together while married to other people?
Sure as hell, not me.
But that is beside the point. What I am appalled at and, incidentally, disgusted by, is taking this infidelity side show on the road, creating a media circus, and exploiting her four young children in the process.
Before I continue, let me first say that I have always been a huge Tori Spelling fan. I was a religious, almost cult-like, follower of Beverly Hills, 90210 back in the ‘90s, and I have watched more than my fair share of Tori and Dean reality TV. But this is where I draw the line and must speak my piece. It is simply way too much exposure, even for the average Hollywood publicity hound.
As a blogger, I am in wholehearted support of letting it all hang out there. I am a veritable adultery 12-stepper: Hi. My name is… and my husband cheated on me. In the end, though, so fucking what? I am not that special. And neither is she.
But her children are.
Why? Because all of this is out of their sweet little hands. They are young and innocent. Victims. Growing up in a family tainted by infidelity is hard enough, and will become more difficult as they age if their parents are not careful. Deliberately parading kids around adult matters for the world to see and scrutinize, well, that is pure selfishness.
Tori, you want to get your story out? How about a press release? Wait, here is a novel idea: blog about it! Serve as inspiration to those of us who have gone through, or are going through, the same heartache.
Our job as parents is to insulate our children from harm as best we can, and for as long as possible. Reality comes to bite all of us in the ass sooner or later. But to invite reality into your home via TV cameras just seems like irresponsible parenting. Watching your kids call their dad on the phone while in a treatment facility was painfully familiar to watch. I have been there, looking on as my own children called their father in those days immediately following his move from our home. That is a private time worthy of a family discussion, not pandering to the cameras.
I have to say, though, for me the highlight of the first episode was when little Hattie complained her tummy hurt and minutes later threw up all over herself in the car, perhaps the only moment that was not scripted for the cameras and actually True Tori. In that moment, I really felt for you. What can I say? I am a sucker for a mom cleaning vomit off of a car seat.
I do not doubt that you love your kids. But you have to start acting like it. Deal with your marital problems privately. If it turns out that sacred union of yours is not fixable, move along. Dean does not walk on water, despite the facial hair he sports.
Tori, I do love you, but you disappoint me. You have worked so hard to build that lovey-dovey empire of yours, complete with happy family branding and a kid-friendly lifestyle. But with this last venture, I am worried you will crash and burn, sacrificing what I know you, and any loving mother, value most−your children’s emotional health.
Oh, and one more thing before I forget. If it does come out that all of this adultery drama is a publicity stunt as some of the tabloids allege−a sham to land yet another reality TV show−then I say shame on you for minimizing what the rest of us who actually have to deal with this shit in real life go through each day. Reality TV should mean, ahem, reality, at least in some sense. It is bad enough if Dean is an adulterer. But to only play one on TV? Now, that would be just plain pathetic.
So ask me, will I still tune in next week to see how this “drama” unfolds?
Sadly, I think, yes. That is, unless someone (perhaps the god who cancels bad TV?) will be kind enough to put me out of my misery. Until then, I remain yet another rubbernecker, empathizing with the victims, but nonetheless unable to turn away from the carnage.
True Tori airs Tuesdays on Lifetime, 10 pm EST/9C.
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