Monday, April 24, 2006

Siv og Knut-- en kjærlighetshistorie

If you ever want to "just say no to drugs," but need a little more motivation, just watch Siv og Knut- en kjærlighetshistorie (a love story) on NRK. It is a reality show about a couple of completely messed-up drug addicts (heroin and morphine) who are basically homeless and married. She has eleven year old twins who are in foster care. It is the most depressing thing on television- but it is like watching a car accident. Try as I might, I can't turn away. Even if you do not understand a word of Norwegian, you will understand enough human emotion to get the big picture.

I hesitate to call it entertainment. I guarantee there is nothing glamorous about their drug use. This is complete warped yet compelling television. These are not cartoonish characters like the many buffoons in Cops episodes. They should seriously show more programming like this in the US. A reality series in an inner city crack house or following a bunch of homeless teen meth addicts around would better serve the public good than yet another cooking reality show. Want to send a real message about drugs? Don't send it from the government. Let the addicts tell their own story. Quite brilliant, actually.

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