Reality TV: not a big fan. I worked in television for too many years, trolling for "true crime" movies back in the day, to really believe that things can be "real" or "true" on television. (One thing I do know for sure, to use an Oprahism: Valerie Bertinelli is a really nice person and an amazingly hard worker.)
Still, this clip, from a new Animal Planet show about people overcoming their extreme animal phobias, just breaks my heart. It's a cliche, but it's not: a big tough-looking guy, terrified of ALL pit bulls. Which doesn't just mean that he avoids pit bulls. It means he avoids places where pit bulls MIGHT be...like dog friendly parks. Which means his time with his family outside is highly limited.
I identify. I was never quite as phobic as this guy...but I would cross the street, and I would never pet a dog. It made no sense to me at all. My shift took years and years, and more than one dog. This guy has a very good reason for being afraid of this breed, and I salute him for doing this at all---let alone doing it on TV. This is NOT about him creating a brand, or selling food, or showing up at openings for large sums of money. He's doing it to get part of his life back.
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