Reality TV shows aren't they fun? (Wait come back!) Today we head back into the 2002 "Twilight Zone" to look at episode 33, "How Much Do You Love Your Kid?". This episode seems to point to early 2000's TV culture of reality shows really getting over the top and weird with their premises. Though, I'm sure we've never had a kidnapping reality show.
"How Much Do You Love Your Kid?" stars Bonnie Somerville who starred on "Grosse Pointe" (hey!) and later ended up on "Friends" and also on The OC and more. Steve Bacic als is in this episode, if you've watched "Andromeda" you know who he is. Wayne Knight shows up but more on him soon.
Yes this post contains spoilers. (For a 20 year old show)
It starts with a wife and husband, and they seem to be going through money troubles you can tell by them talking about bills. The husband ,Ted, is going for a new job and hopefully this will fix the problem. This is the Twilight Zone, so this might not go to plan. (That's my line!) They also have a son named Wiley, who needs braces (dental plan, Wiley needs braces). That's to show they really need money. That comes important for this so far very sitcom like episode. Also the wife, Donna, does have seem to have money for a facial. (That's explains alot)
Running out of money stresses me out, I wish I knew where it goes / Copyright Paramount
While Donna was getting a facial, she gets a phone call that Wiley didn't show up to school. she goes to the police station. Then Wayne Knight shows up. (He has come to Pimp Her Ride, wait no, everything is wrong about this statement, I'm sorry) He's there to tell her that she's been chosen for the new show "How Much Do You Love Your Kid?" (roll credits) Wayne Knight tells her that she has 60 minutes (also wrong show) to find her kid or... bad things happen. (Bold this can be said in a police station)
I'm here to take you to the set of "Third Rock from the Sun" / Copyright Paramount
They show her a video of her son being kidnapped. (Roll Twilight Zone 2002 intro) The woman acts logically and asks the police officer to police office, but he can't help because the show has their child kidnapping loicense. (What the heck?) The officer is there to give clues instead. (Her reactions are me watching this episode)
Also Wayne Knight plays the role of the host too well. Donna calls her husband and cellphones don't work well (should have gotten Sprint). This game show is weird and she mentions "Lord of the Rings". (Who is this reality show for?) If the people around aren't working with the show, then they are of no help. Wayne Knight doesn't tell her what happens if she doesn't find Wiley because drama reasons.
What the heck am I watching? / Copyright Paramount
She's able to find her kid, being in a red car, and there's a car chase, because sure. (this show is weird) Wiley has been found, but not fully safe, he has to go the hospital. I believe Wayne Knight's character is way too good at this reality show host. He gives her the option to play for 1 million dollars. He even offers her a gun. (Does she get a I get to kill someone loisence?) The son even says he should go after the guy. (I wonder if he was in this or something) She agrees and goes to find a kidnapper. (Round 3 will be weirder)
He's alright , he won't be but for now.../ Copyright Paramount
She borrows a Jeep and chases some guy, while the TV show people follow her. She finds out the kidnapper is her husband. Apparently, Ted is an idiot, and he agreed to "kidnap" their son to win money, because "they needed the money" Donna is unhappy, he makes a pitch that they have a million dollars. Then she shoots him dead, then she's arrested. (Oh now the cops arrest somebody)
She wants a divorce and decided to go the death they shall part version/ Copyright Paramount
Like I said this came out in a time when Reality Shows were pretty a new concept and having some off weird concepts. "Fear Factor" a reality show where people will do almost anything for money maybe could accelerate to a reality show where people try to win money at any cost. This episode sets up things in the beginning well. The family was having money troubles and it sets up the motives well. Ted wanted money quick and when the reality show people found him , he thought it would help. You can understand why he would have done such a thing, but it also shows that people might do anything for money even something stupid.
Donna's role at first wasn't about the money, she was rightly angry and bothered by this stupid realty show and felt she had play by their rules in the insanity to get her son back. I think her role after getting her son was an interesting turn as well. Wayne Knight plays a role of trying to get manipulate her into going further using her human urge for revenge. I'm sure she could have stopped after getting her son and won some money, but something about the idea of getting the kidnapper and maybe getting a million dollars was tempting.
Wayne Knight is a star in this episode, he pays the role of the host very well and it's good how he feels genuinely disturbing, yet you aren't sure if he is truly wanting to help her at times or just trying to get the show to move along and make her fall into his reality show pitfalls.
I like that the reality show sprung up on them, and they didn't have the intention of being on one, showing how people can fall into things for reasons like greed on the husband's part and revenge on the wife's part. Simple episode but interesting to see and makes one wonder how far someone would go for money even in our times.
That's it for now, tune in next time when we wonder would you eat your phone for $12,311,214.22?
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