Reality Bites DC: State Dinner Party Crashers Plead the 5th
by Jason Killian MeathMichaele and Tareq Salahi, who are well past their 15 minutes, appeared before the House Committee on Homeland Security yesterday and took the 5th, which protects against self-incrimination. The world will have to wait to hear exactly what they crashed and when they crashed it. Though we already know most of the details — the Salahi’s told us months ago on their Facebook page.
Reality TV has given us real housewives, wife swaps and biggest losers. Finally, the whole genre may have jumped the shark right here in DC. The Salahis hadn’t even finished auditioning for Bethesda-based Half Yard Productions when they pulled off the ultimate reality-show stunt. By gate-crashing a White House State Dinner, one can just hear the director behind the camera: “You got the part, baby!” Now comes news of a third crasher… Salahi friend Carlos Allen, a D.C. “party promoter!” With all these shenanigans at that first State Dinner, it’s a wonder Indian Prime Minister Singh didn’t run screaming — “I’m a Dignitary — Get Me Outta Here!”
Last month, in response to the ‘party crashers,’ an outraged Rep. Diane Watson (D-Calif.) wanted to know what GE’s Jeffrey Immelt knew and when he knew it. After all, he attended the State Dinner as a confirmed guest, and in an awkward twist, the reality TV show for which Michaele and Tareq Salahi were auditioning, “Real Housewives of D.C.,” is produced by Immelt’s Bravo network. Watson, who chairs the Congressional Entertainment Caucus, called for a sweeping review of “the conduct and ethics of reality television in general.” This, from a woman who once praised Fidel Castro as “one of the brightest leaders I have ever met.” With words like that, she shouldn’t stand in judgement of reality TV, she ought to be on it!
Nary a peep has been heard from Congresswoman Watson and her reality TV investigation lately. Perhaps Democrats realize they have bigger problems than reality TV.
D.C. is rarely featured in reality television. Its official image tediously plays out on television every night in households across America. All political spin, prepared speeches and carefully choreographed sound bites; not the unscripted, spontaneous train-wreck fare familiar to reality TV audiences. But ‘official’ Washington provides an unmatchable reality show backdrop. Imagine Survivor’s Jeff Probst hosting a show where a handful of lawmakers get voted off Capitol Hill each week. All the makings of histrionics worthy of an Emmy!
In a distressing quest for fame, the Salahis did what any respectable reality TV star would do and threw common sense right out the window, sashayed uninvited through the door, and hobnobbed with the leader of the free world. Respect and restraint are words completely unknown in reality TV — so Michaele, acting as a true desperate housewife, posted her White House exploits all over her Facebook page. Perfect!
Ironic that the official entertainment for Obama’s first State Dinner was none other than reality TV star Jennifer Hudson. Having been booted from “American Idol,” Hudson went on to receive an Academy Award. Sometimes reality TV stars aren’t always the biggest losers –Hudson’s “Idol” appearance launched an acting and singing career.
For their part, the Obamas don’t seem to have any problem with reality TV. Hosting a White House “Iron Chef” competition for the Food Network that aired just last week, Michelle Obama became the first presidential wife to appear live on a reality TV show. “The Naked Chef,” Jamie Oliver, served the Obamas while they dined in London at the G-20 last year. The First Lady’s hairstylist, Johnny Wright, inked a ‘docu soap’ reality show deal. Even the winner of Obama’s “Health Care Reform Video Challenge,” Eric Hurt, was a contestant on the trashy reality show “Temptation Island.” (More Fun Facts: one of MTV’s “Real World DC” cast members was an Obama delegate).
So, reality TV has finally come to roost in the nation’s capital.
A Salahi storyline would likely be a ratings and publicity bonanza for Bravo’s “Real Housewives” franchise; that is, if someone doesn’t wind up in jail over the whole thing. But wait – that could make a good episode too. To be sure, a weekly show featuring the Salahi’s would only create an ongoing headache for a White House eager to move on from ‘Gate-Crashers Gate.’
So, will the Salahi’s star in the new season of “Real Housewives of DC?” Stay tuned, the series could debut as soon as this spring.
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10 Comments
"Watson… called for a sweeping review of “the conduct and ethics of reality television in general.” "
Please. The conduct and ethics of Congress makes reality television look more pure than a 5 week old puppy.
I hope that reality programming is just another iconic TV genre that is reaching the end of its lifespan. The problem then becomes – what is going to replace it? Will that be even more dumbed down or will someone offer something that has some intelligence to it?
With any luck, this will be the last we hear of the Salahis.
Yeah, I know that won't happen. Just let me believe it for a few minutes. I have so little to look forward too!
; )
Do not be distracted by the TV show angle. What would be the point of crashing the party for a show…if it wasn't being filmed? Just to prove to the producers how exciting they would be on air? I don't think so. The story that needs to be examined is how did they get past security? What lies did they use? Who did they talk to? Why did the White House block a Congressional request to testify? Were they carrying mini-cams and taped their crime? Why was it so easy to get near the President?
The left has tried to demonize the right as dangerous by putting them on watch lists. Who they really should be watching is the far left. They are already starting to feel let down by the One, and if they start thinking he's betrayed them….. well, every President we've lost has been to hands of the left.
So remember, do everything in your power to protect the man in the White House, we want him to go down in history as the dangerous fool who eclipsed Carter, not the martyr of Camelot 2.
what is going to replace it?
Old-fashioned nuclear family-oriented sitcoms, where the moms are clever, the dads are wise, problems are solved with kindness, and the home team always wins.
In short, Leave it to Beaver reruns.
Or, they could re-tread old shows to meet the new political climate. I'm thinking Habib's Heroes (set in Gitmo or Northern Illinois, depending), Burqua Junction, Green Zone Acres, Fawling Towers, Allah's in the Family, Leave it to Jubair…
Ya, and don't forget cartoons, like the Flintstoners, and the Jetsinners.
Call me a cynic, but I didn't believe for one New York second these people were party crashers. Someone in the Obama administration told them to come, told them which entrance to use, warned the gate keepers that "their friends" would be showing up, and when the sheist hit the fan, did exactly what characterless politicians and hangrs on do — bailed.My guess is it's Valerie whateverherlastname is.
Sometimes I think that Conservatives should just let it go. Honestly, I probably would have done the same thing if I had the opportunity. However, never talking about it will hopefully make these people go away. Then I think about what probably happened that night, the President's social secretary was screaming at secret service to let these dodo birds in the party and dropped the "Do you know who I am line?". So the two guards are suspended and probably reassigned to protect the 4th cousin of Bill Clinton. They get the blame for someone else’s mistake, isn’t that America?
When the Obama Administration shows as here how manifestly indifferent and casual they are to the Dear Leader's security, inmagine how little they care about yours. This goes to the heart of what's wrong; they don't get that there are in fact evil people who wish us harm and want to kill us.
These silly people should pay for this vialtion of presidential security with a jail sentence so that no one else ever tries it.
Jennifer Hudson is so much more than a former reality TV star (I wouldn't call finishing in 7th place being a "star," either).
She's established herself as an acclaimed actress and singer in her own right. A reality TV show may have launched her, but it doesn't define her.
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