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Finally, a reality show that did not eliminate someone every week, an absence of watching people survive in a jungle to win money, and no extreme weight loss battles that would inevitably end with a contestant scoring a large sum of cash.

Reality TV was and is a hodge-podge of game shows and vulgar talent contests.  Goody brought something new to the table---dare I say it---something educational and even eye-opening.

As could be expected though, Goody got her start in reality TV on a tacky little show known as "Big Brother".  Like so many others before her, Goody became famous for being famous--a wonderful byproduct of true reality television.  However, as is quite rare in the reality world, she was able to parlay her fifteen minutes into a do-good kind of show, a show that educated others on the consequences and daily struggles of dealing with cancer.  

I must say I give her credit for divulging each day when she started to lose her hair more and more, showing her frail body weakening from loss of appetite, and having to explain to her two sons that "mommy was going to have to go away soon". 

Not exactly the easiest things to do in private, let alone share with millions of viewers.  

In a story by the NYTimes, Goody explained her end-of-life publicity by saying she hoped to earn as much money possible to provide for her sons after she was gone.  Yes we all know that people who appear on reality television get paid for their participation, but even though Goody most likely received a large sum of money for her cancer documentary, I feel that her motivation to do so was completely justified in claiming to participate in the documentary solely for her children's sake.  After all she was leaving behind a five-year-old and a four-year-old to be raised without their mother.

Its taken a long time for a reality show to actually bring about positive feedback.  Although, Goody did receive flack for her show, I honestly think her ability to show viewers the dark side to cervical cancer was groundbreaking and much-needed.  

Not many know what goes on behind the scenes in the midst of a battle with cancer, and Goody shed light on a sensitive subject--yes instigated by the want for money, but also to illustrate to the public what her life was like at the time.

It has been a long time since a President intrigued different generations such as Obama does today.  In the past Ronald Reagan had his movie-star ties which certainly added to his popularity, but the Obamas appear to have a star quality that radiates from all four members of the family.  Sasha and Malia's outfits have been copied, reproduced and now the girls both have dolls fashioned in their liking.  

As a regular reader of your typical "celebrity junk" magazines I was rather surprised to find the Obama family gracing cover after cover.  Instead of my usual Brangelina sighting update, or which latest celeb has entered rehab, staring back at me one day on the Walmart newstands were Michelle, Barack, Malia and Sasha.  The Obama family celebrity was only added to by the numerous "Obama's my homeboy" t-shirts, many books, notebooks, buttons, and bumper stickers all announcing the celebrity intrigue surrounding the Obamas.

Unfortunately I think the Obama family's celebrity appeal went a little overboard this past year.  As an educated young woman looking to gain insight into our potential President's ideals, I was disheartened to find him so exploited.

When I grab a tabloid I expect to read about trashy celebrity gossip.  Tabloids are in business to detail who's meeting who, where the hottest nightspot is, who the top designers are, and who's cheated on who.  In that respect, why has the media positioned the Obama family onto such magazine covers?  Since when did it become okay to migrate our President from a Time cover to the newest edition of Life and Style? It's almost as if our world has taken a serious liking to Obama-mania for lack of a better word.  Lets face it-we've all heard about Michelle's fashion choices and how her clothing items sell out instantly at stores.  As mentioned earlier, Sasha and Malia seem to be pitching new clothing and toys nearly every day, and one cannot walk through a college campus without passing at least one person wearing and Obama t-shirt.

As a presidential family I just do not understand why the exploitation of what they're wearing, what gadgets they enjoy playing with, and what they look like are items that should concern the public.  We should want to learn more about this family in regards to what they can do for us as a nation-not about their pure entertainment factors.  Can we re-focus on the political appeal?  Leave the celebrity mush for Brad, Angelina, Tom and Katie.