You might be familiar with the popular television show, Shake It Up, which follows the antics of a group of friends as they navigate the world of dating, relationships, and sex. One of the main characters, Emma, has this to say about the show’s most controversial scene:
“What you’re going to see in this episode… is a little bit racy. So, for those of you who are faint of heart, you might want to stop watching now. Because what we’re going to do is… take Viagra. And we’re just joking around. We’re not taking real Viagra. We’re just joking to make a point. But the idea behind the scene is that… we’re going to give the man a tryst with a couple of his friends. And it’s a group of friends because we want to show that a group of friends can still have a good time even when they’re…you know, trying new things. And the point is that it’s no longer taboo for men and women to hang out together and have fun. It’s not a dating show, it’s not a relationship show, it’s just a show about friends having fun together and trying new things. Just in case you were wondering.”
Though the scene described above is definitely risque, it’s not as scandalous as it sounds. The reality is that the show often tries to tackle some of the more taboo subjects in society such as sex, love, and relationships. For example, just a few years ago it would have been highly unusual to see two men embracing or kissing on a television screen.
This is largely thanks to pioneering shows like Sex and the City, which paved the way for the sophisticated humour and forthright discussions about relationships that we see on shows like Veep and Game of Thrones. In a nutshell, these shows and others like them helped to make discussing relationships and sex a mainstream social activity. In today’s world, casual sex and open romantic relationships are considered thoroughly normal. This is probably because it’s now safe for people to be themselves and not feel like they have to dumb down their opinions or behaviour to suit popular opinion.
The point is that if a TV show can be rated TVMA (Television Movies Adults Only) and made its creators rich, then it’s probably telling you that it’s okay to be yourself and not feel like you have to hide who you are or what you believe. Indeed, you might not even realize how refreshing authentic conversations can be.
Why Shake It Up?
If you’re reading this, you probably already know why you’re here. But if you’re new, let me remind you: you’ve found the source of genuine entertainment that comes in the form of a TV show, a movie, or a music album. As a culture, we’ve accepted that there’s something special about being a fan of something that’s already popular, or a trendsetter who will inspire others. And perhaps there’s even something addictive about seeing things through the prism of fan culture. Whatever the reason, being a fan has its perks!
But it also has its pitfalls. For example, you might get so absorbed in the world of Harry Potter that other books and stories seem dull in comparison. Or maybe you’ll spend all your time searching for the next Game of Thrones episode, forgetting about everything else in your life. Fanaticism can also be a bad trait, causing you to judge everything by the standards of the thing you love, whether that’s music, fashion, or sports. The key is to find a balance between being a fan and enjoying other aspects of life. This is why I recommend that you find a show that you’ve never heard of, or watched before, and give it a try. It might be something new and fresh that you discover you enjoy, while also broadening your horizons and helping you to appreciate the worlds of music, literature, and film more.
To wrap up, here are some of the top dating apps that you might want to try, so that you can find out if they’re worth downloading and using.