Dear Reality TV Star, Let's Talk.

It has recently come to my attention that certain people are, shall we say, nervous about what my intentions are with regards to my coverage of the upcoming onslaught of Dallas-based reality TV shows on this blog.  So, I thought I would write an open letter explaining my position:

Dear reality-TV-star-to-be,

There is no need to fret! I am on your side!

First and foremost, this blog is a love letter to Dallas. I love living here and want to share my passion for this city with others. My main mission is to showcase Dallas' hottest events and coolest people.  Be excited that you are blog worthy!  Isn't that why you agreed to do a show in the first place? To get attention either for yourself, your business or your charitable cause?

I piece together clues.

My biggest guilty pleasure is watching reality TV shows: Survivor, Biggest Loser, Real Housewives, Flipping Out, Amazing Race - I love them all! And the fact that new reality shows are being filmed in my city with people I know is so freakin' fantastic I could die. Bananas!

I understand that you are getting nervous.  You are about to go from being a relatively unknown person to a reality TV star!  My little blog might be the first place you have seen gossip or stories about your show because the national press hasn't picked anything up yet. They are waiting for your show to air. And to see if you are worth wasting ink on.

What you need to understand, is that I am not a journalist. I am a blogger. BIG DIFFERENCE. The words I write are my thoughts and opinions. They are not bound by any industry code of ethics or fact-checked by an intern.  After 15+ years of working on newspapers and magazines, here's something I know for sure: All press is good press.  If no one is talking about you, your show is dead in the water.  So change your attitude, I am helping create excitement for your show!!

Looking for scoop!

And here's something else you need to know, most of the stuff I'm writing about you is coming from people on the set or people who are involved with your show.  I always say that in any situation there are at least two sides to every story and the truth is usually somewhere in the middle.  So, if you ever see anything you feel is incorrect about you, feel free to email or call and give me your side of the story.  I can't help you if you aren't talking to me.  I will happily correct something or print your version of a circumstance.  I don't have to quote you. I can get my point across without using your name - as you have seen. 

I am coming into your season with giddy anticipation and wide-eyed exuberance. I am looking for the good and hoping for the best. If you do something awesome, I will be the first one to sing your praises. And if you act like a total douchebag, I will be calling you out.  You know Perez Hilton and Kathy Griffin? Those are the people you need to be worried about. Not me.  I promise to be fair and I challenge you to find anything I've written and honestly call it "mean".  It's just not my style.

So, I hope we're cool. Because if I didn't like you, I wouldn't be talking about you.

Love you! Mean it!
Cynthia