The Ultimate

The only word that comes to mind is cringe.

While I readily admit I have never met any of the characters involved , I have already begun to do precisely that, cringe.

Of course, that is despite the fact that any odds of my ever encountering any of the family (a/k/a The Firm) are more remote than my suddenly growing a second head.

I hope that totally clarifies my position and my forthcoming admittedly, negative opinion.

Although I have had a great deal of personal experience with a rather large extended family, both early and later in life, I have no memory of ever knowing a unit lacking a few dissenters.

Every friend, acquaintance or relative, who happened to pass my way has shared stories about a cousin, sibling or in law who didn’t totally identify with the larger group. Every cast of characters included a rebellious uncle, niece or remote relative. Quite often, several as a matter of fact.

I have listened frequently to unhappy friends and coworkers bewailing obligations to share family vacations, holiday events or sometimes weekly dinners with elders of their clan. I have nodded in sympathy when acquaintances described cooking large dinners for unexpected family visitors. And yes, there were moments when I was a reluctant occupant of the kitchen myself. I am not without sin in this scenario.

Complicated relationships with in laws, etc. are hardly unusual or unheard of in today’s society. Possibly the only difference today is a current lack of desire for privacy or secrecy.

Still there is something quite unpleasant about earning 7 million dollars to discuss your mate’s family on national TV.

While I cannot possibly imagine the stress of living in a castle, I must admit to a few difficult issues with a elder in law, and reluctantly acknowledge there is currently a younger member of our clan who feels exactly the same way about me.

However, I must also state emphatically that neither the older Lady in our family or I ever wore or owned a crown. Of course that might have been a mite more difficult, but still does it justify two hours????

Frankly earning 7 million dollars to tell your tale of woe, is just a bit “much.” Perhaps 20 or 30 minutes would have been less unpleasant to watch, but of course, also, less profitable.

While the current Matriarch under observation does wear a crown, as well as quite a few tiaras, the celebrated Lady is also well beyond prime.

For some vague reason I recall an old saying relating negatively to “Kicking someone when they’re down....”.

I do wonder if two hours of complaining, will be worth even the 7 million in years to come. The narrators still have time to think about it. Perhaps they will.

I believe every parent watching the highly publicized interview will join me and cringe just more than a little. Perhaps because most of us, even those who once lived in split levels and cape cods, not castles, still remember a few family problems of our own.

Bringing me to the ultimate question. Why watch?