I'm not a big fan of reality TV (if you've read any of my reviews for television shows you'll know this already!). I had never seen any episodes of "Newlyweds," nor did I care to, but while staying in a hotel in London, MTV was playing a marathon and I happened upon one of the episodes - probably the most (in)famous, the one where Jessica Simpson eats the tuna and asks if it's made out of chicken.
I didn't know the story behind the show then - how Joe Simpson, the father, had persuaded MTV to finance the show after Jessica's albums stopped selling, and how after the popularity of the show increased, her albums began to fly off the shelves. Joe Simpson is a savvy businessman and he's always seemed to make the best out of the worst for his two daughters - he's the brains behind everything and he rarely receives any credit.
The show itself is kind of lame but nevertheless amusing and entertaining - newlyweds Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey (of the doomed boy band 98 Degrees) get married and the show follows their daily routines at home - their ups, downs, and romantic moments.
The real charm of the show is Jessica Simpson. I don't listen to her music and I had only heard her name mentioned a few times, but it seems now I can't go anywhere without seeing her face.
I think she's naturally cuter than Britney Spears and has a nicer attitude - she's ditzy but honest, spoiled but funny in spite of (or rather because of) her pampered lifestyle. A few of her quotes had me laughing - like when she hires a cook to make a dinner for Valentine's Day, then tells Nick, "I was cooking all day." I can see why people would hate this, but as far as reality "entertainment" goes, at least "Newlyweds" is just that: entertaining. It's like one of those guilty pleasures - something so appalling you just can't stop watching.
