Obsessed: Reality TV That Doesn't Make You Hate Yourself
On Monday night, A&E premiered a new TV show called Obsessed, on which people with anxiety disorders attempt to conquer their obsessions and compulsions with the help of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. And if the first episode is any indication, it's incredibly intense, and also, so far, pretty awesome! Though the show is similar to Intervention in tone and structure, there's no doubt that the subjects of Obsessed are willing, fully active participants in their own (hopeful) recovery, so it feels less exploitative. Did I mention, though, that this show is super intense? It's INTENSE. But it's not without moments that will no doubt end up on The Soup, either, like this clip in which a man is forced to confront his fear of "vaginal secretions." I can't believe everyone isn't blogging about this show this week!
Scott's obsession with cleanliness has become completely debilitating. He's decided to get help so that his boyfriend (the guy seen here) can move in with him. His therapist has just stopped by and asked to use the bathroom, volunteering that she has her period and needs to, like, wipe off with his nice white bathroom towels or something? That's the ruse. Anyway, Scott confronts his fear of germs and women in a segment that surely marks the first time the phrase "fibroid juice" has ever been used on television. (Also, I'm leaving in the end of this segment, when Scott's analysis of his exposure takes a surprising and wonderful turn.):
(According to Urban Dictionary, "squidge" means either a small bridge, a kind of pot, the act of crapping one's pants, something you want to do to the cheek of a cute child or animal, or crotch-drippings. So she was probably using it in the latter sense. Also, can you believe that that is that doctor's actual job?)
The other half of the first episode was about Helen, a single mother whose anxiety disorder began with her father's death, and who has become obsessed to the point where she wears the clothes he was wearing when he died. That sounds so terrible, right? It's hard to describe this show without it seeming sensational, or without sounding dismissive or shallow about it (especially since I couldn't resist putting up the vagina juice clip, oops), but the subjects of this show are extremely sympathetic, and their desperation to conquer their anxiety is heartbreaking. You'll totally cry watching this show. And it's going to be fascinating, because anxiety disorders have similar, familiar markers, yet they manifest themselves completely uniquely in every single person. It's like one facet of the OCD brain is amazing originality in coming up with one's own "thing." In that way, it stands out from Intervention, because you never know what you're going to see. Everyone is by now accustomed to thinking of reality shows as freak shows, and the people on them these monsters we feel comfortable hating because they're just trying to get famous, blah blah blah, so the rare show like Obsessed, which is about actual recognizable human beings for whom you feel actual empathy, is weird at first. But it's also great. You come away from it (at least so far) feeling like the world is a little bit better for it existing, and that you're a tiny bit more of an empathetic, understanding person for watching it. (Basically, the opposite of everything you feel when you watch the Real Housewives.) Anyway, you can watch the full first episode (and a preview of upcoming episodes, omg the hands lady! Infinite variety!) on the A&E site. I recommend it! Highly!
Posted by Lindsay at 5:00 PM in Reality TV
Tags: Intervention | Obsessed
The best part of the Scott's germophobia-OCD is that his boyfriend is a PORN STAR and that DOESN'T gross him out. Apparently he's got selective germpophobia.
I'd find a link for evidence but I'm at work. Anyone working from home?
Score = 7
*COUGH* Gage Weston *COUGH*
Score = 0
I guess I forgot to include the link there didn't I?
http://www.jumponmarkslist.com/gio/2006/interviews/gage_weston.htm
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Thank you Lindsay! I was talking to someone today, trying to explain this show and in particular, the whole "fibroid jiuce" thing and I was like "Why is this clip not all over the Internet??" When I was watching the episode, I was liking it and all but when she so casually said "Ok, I want to let you know I have my period and I'm going to change my tampon in your bathroom", I sat bolt upright and was like Ok this show just kicked into AWESOME TOWN.
"Can I get a zero to ten with tampon residue and vaginal secretions?"
Score = 11
Thank you Lindsay! I was talking to someone today, trying to explain this show and in particular, the whole "fibroid jiuce" thing and I was like "Why is this clip not all over the Internet??" When I was watching the episode, I was liking it and all but when she so casually said "Ok, I want to let you know I have my period and I'm going to change my tampon in your bathroom", I sat bolt upright and was like Ok this show just kicked into AWESOME TOWN.
"Can I get a zero to ten with tampon residue and vaginal secretions?"
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My coworker and I have been verbally blogging about this all week...
Score = 13
I'm just mad that I missed it! But it's on the Tivo now and I can't wait to see next week's episode.
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why would there ever be "squidge" on a towel? that's what toilet paper is for...
i know that's not the point, but ew? i'm a little bit with scott on this on.
and the show looks awesome!
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Next time i'm doin it: "yeahh girl, focus on touching that nastiness"
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I've suffered from OCD, the "Pure O" type since as early as I can remember, so even commercials for this show are painful to watch. But it's nice that they're finally talking about OCD and showing the public how horrible a condition it really is, instead of making fun of it like Monk (although I did enjoy Monk at times, but OCD is not a humorous thing.)
Score = 9
I found it really funny/tasteless that there was one of those "fear mongering" Lysol disinfectant spray commercial during the episode.
Score = 7
Listening to that voice in the bathroom that says "COME LOOK" is always a risky move, and sometimes you have to confront things that you would not want to confront.
Score = 9
I really glad you mentioned this show and I hope people watch it. Anxiety disrders are so misunderstood. I hope this educates people.
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Helen's doctor seemed like a character Fred Armisen would play.
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I've got a type of OCD, too, and I thought this show looked (and still looks) kind of iffy. I like the thought of different types of OCD being brought into the public eye (instead of just perpetuating the wash-hands-touch-doorknobs kind of thing), but like you say, Lindsay, reality TV has become a freak show and most people watching this show might still see its subjects as freaks, just like the subjects of Intervention.
I don't know, I'm willing to hear it out, but I guess I'd be more forgiving of a show that shed light on people with OCD who are still able to function in society rather than those who have become completely debilitated. Then again, that would make for super-boring television.
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i like when he says:"I'm so hot" funny show
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Wait, doesn't every gay dude fear the vage? i wouldn't want some lady wiping her cootch with my white towels either, but i'm far from ocd. this makes zero sense. why does he need to cure this fear?
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