Let us not think that French culture is only filled with museums and fine dining. Let us understand that the French are as susceptible, if not more, to gratuitous pop culture phenomena. While American socio-psycho-anthropological self proclaimed specialists are labeling the phenomenon of reality-TV as the outgrowth of an American voyeurism, the French are doing the best they can to replicate this genre of television without being similar enough to be associated with the American form. We forget that the word 'voyeur' comes from a French origin.
Enter "Loft Story" a studio-become-habitation that is a mix of "The Real World" and "Big Brother" (CBS's not so adroitly promoted version of placing a group of people in a house and watching what happens while they interact and develop a severe case of cabin fever, for those of you who haven't been paying attention.) The operating system of this show is the following: First, five women and five men are introduced into their "loft," which is actually built within a TV studio outside of Paris, where they will be enclosed for 84 days. Within the next two weeks, another female and male will also enter the loft, after being voted in by the roommates of the opposite sex. So there will be 12, and then the elimination process begins, which is done by a vote of viewers. The winner gets 500,000 euros for their own "loft."
Campy as this situation may seem, it is wildly followed and just as strongly despised in the same love/hate relationship that we as Americans should be familiar with in regards to such trashy components of popular culture. The reason I am writing about this, in fact, is because I was invited to a friend's house last Thursday. I thought it would be one of our many get-togethers including snacks, wine and several packs of cigarettes, which has become my baptism into her French 20-something social circle.
Well, this night was to be more remarkable than I had initially thought. We were going to watch the inaugural episode of the second season of "Loft Story." The game in her living room was to compare last season's housemates to those that arrived this season. I had no sense of last season, but this year it seems the bar is placed pretty low. I have developed a sketch of the characters that are in the loft:Of the women, there is Marlene, the promiscuous blond bimbo type with the annoying high-pitched voice and limited vocabulary to match. Then there is Julia, a black-haired, fair-skinned Wednesday Addams figure; a child of divorce who brought a philosophical guide to anarchy as literature, and wears army fatigues and has a lip piercing. Angela, whose actions seem like those of a Molly Shannon Saturday Night Live character, has difficulty keeping her enthusiasm controlled while in a chair; in real life she is a barmaid. Karine is a woman from Spanish origins who teaches flamenco. Finally, there is Leslie, who dreams of being a rapper one day.

On the male side, there is Felicien, from Spanish influenced regions. He is a rodeo clown and fills "that popular hometown boy" profile. Then there is Kamel, who is a representative of the French-Arab population, and his participation seems unfortunately "token" on the part of the casting crew. There is David, who is a fashion model and fits the pretty boy category cleanly. Thomas is the sterile, clean-freak, red-haired and freckled, suit-donning type. And finally William, an Afro-sporting basketball player. I must remind you of course that these are "real people." To me they seemed like cartoon characters. All this is tied together with catchy techno music and is followed by ads about where to buy the soundtrack. Who says the French don't like shameless capitalism?

They live in an IKEA infested TV set, and seem to all be very excited about the coming days of fame and possible fortune. I found out that there is a camera in the fridge that takes pictures every time it is opened. So, everyone in the world will be cognizant of any 3 a.m. chocolate ice cream and pickles raids. Who wouldn't want to live like this? There is also a camera in the pool, and in the shower. In short, with the mix of this invasion of cameras and the French love for free press, we will at least see some nudity and if we are lucky, and especially vigilant, perhaps a lot more. No wonder everyone is watching. On the first season of "Survivor," the most skin we saw was Richard without shirt, which produced a nation-wide scandal!

How to conclude on this, especially when the show has only just begun? Based on reviews from my friends of the last season, it is guaranteed to be pure fluff entertainment. Another given is that almost everyone will watch. So, it seems that voyeurism is international. Despite what all the specialists and academics say, I know that, in fact, they are watching too.