Reality DVDs/Blu-rays: How Earth Was Made, Life After People, American Pickers, Jersey Shore

Generally, my idea of reality TV is the kind of documentaries you'll find on A&E, History Channel, Bravo, etc. At one point I watched America's Next Top Model at times, but it seemed the girls I liked never won (except the year CariDee did - she's now a psoriasis spokesperson, too); guess I prefer the Maxim types to the runway types (which makes me, uh, a guy). And then there's Hell's Kitchen, Ace of Cakes and a few others. But people on an island or trapped in a house backstabbing each other or bachelors and bachelorettes thinking they'lll marry someone off a TV show? Uh, no. So here's a batch of "reality" video releases, with Jersey Shore, too, for those who might want to watch that dumber side of human interaction.



How Earth Was Made
Complete Season 2
History Channel
The second season of this geology series continues its fascinating look at the natural forces that have and continue to shape earth. This is a plantary story that begins billions of years ago as volcanoes, masses of ice and roaring rivers created today's mountain ranges, canyons and valleys around the glove.  Many of the episode locales are familiar in name to all, including the Grand Canyon, Vesuvius, the Sahara, Yosemite, The Rockies, Everest, Death Valley as well as  a focus on "Earth's Deadliest Eruption," "America's Ice Age," and "America's Gold." Teachers should use this series to make geology inviting - and dramatic - for all student. 


Life After People
Complete Season Two
History Channel
Blu-ray
So what happens after we're gone - assuming we don't destroy our planet (and we likely won't)?  That's the premise of Life After People. In the second season there's a look at the "Wrath of God," which is pun-loaded in the narration; "Toxic Revenge"  examines gases and radiation along with poisons in every day household cleaners and such;  "Crypt of Civilization " turns to time capsules and what might be found when we're no longer around; "Last Supper" is not about religion, bu the fate of farmland after man. "Home Wrecked Home"  looks at the deterioration of  homes without maintencance, while "Holiday Hell" is about Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Other topics include cities, towns along ocean waters, dams and such;  aviation; and royal homes and government houses. Also on DVD.



Paranormal Cops
A&E
In Chicago, they're cops by day and investigate the weird at night. In homed, offices and elsewhere. But is it real spooky stuff, the unexplainable or that which does have an explantion?
Imagine CSI goes paranormal and you'll have an idea of what goes on here. Episodes included the one-hour "Casa Madrid," Stirring Up The Dead," "Meagan's Ghost" and more Not quite as good (or creepy) as Ghost Hunters, though.


American Pickers Season One
A&E
American Pickers follows Iowa's Antique Archaeology owner Mike Wolfe and partner Frank Fritz as they discover items steeped in American history, found in small towns all over the USA and on the rural routes, with a few highways as well.  As "pickers" they poke through other people's junk or cast-offs  in garages, barns, attics and son on.  They're big and small, inlucding a prize Harley, unusual Ferris Wheel, and other treasures in episodes such as " Super Scooter,"  "White Castle on the Farm," "Invisible Pump," "5 Acres of Junk" "Bigfoot in Alabama" and "Leland's Cafe."  From gas station signs to vintage movie posters, this pair truly are wonder pickers and their special camaraderie is part of the adventure. 

Jersey Shore-Season One

MTV
With uncensored episodes (nothing as racy as one might think), the talked about MTV program follows the lives of a lot of self-censored annoying types on the Jersey Shore there for the summer in Seaside Heights. Really now, how can people called "The Situation" (a muscle-head ego doucheschnozzle) and Snooki (sorry, but what a twit) be taken seriously? Not one iota. And the "Jersey Shore Makeover" here? Scary, very scary. A better title for the show would be "Jersey Lamebrains, though one can be sure there are more like 'em in other states, too.