Todd TV: Tool TV

Back in the inception of the RealityNewsOnline/Reality TV Hall of Shame Awards, we bandied about the idea of a “Biggest Tool” category. Ultimately, we couldn’t quite make out what we were considering a “tool.” Later, we found ourselves with plenty of examples. Add Todd Santos to that list.

If you are a movie fan, you may have seen EdTV or The Truman Show. ToddTV is in that neighborhood. We basically will follow an average guy around as he lives his life. Here is the kicker: we get to change his life as well. We get to guide him. Hopefully, for his own good.

Now, let’s give the guy a little credit. It’s very hard to imagine complete strangers looking at your life, deciding they don’t like it, and making you quit your job, change your address, and date women you barely know. Todd had to go through this. He just didn’t do it with much grace.

We do know that Todd was very aware of the premise of the show. He knew he was at the behest of viewer submissions. He knew that this would be uncomfortable. So why is he bitching so much? The level of complaining that Todd does has made him utterly unlikable. We have to assume that Todd has some familiarity with reality television. Why do a reality show where your life is overturned if you are so satisfied with it? Why are you here, Todd Santos?

Todd is an overgrown child, he is commitment-phobic (though he will deny this till his last breath). Todd definitely likes to have his way. And, God forbid, if he doesn’t get it, he will whine, pout, throw hissy-fits, glower, and be an absolute bastard to deal with. It is so apparent that the producers found themselves digging deep to find some likeable qualities in Todd to try to make the program compelling. Even resorting to Todd getting semi-misty (it was a nice try, but even “emotional” Todd couldn’t keep the sarcastic smirk off his face) over a dog pound full of eager to please little guys who are, gasp, facing euthanasia! Did Todd really not know that unadopted dogs get euthanized? Maybe he didn’t, Todd’s world doesn’t have room for stuff like knowledge.

Let’s go over Todd’s offenses. Wait, there’s not time for all of them. Let’s just go to the greatest hits. Todd is a songwriter, like a double-digit percentage of Southern California. First he got super-producer Don Was to produce his song, which turned out to be the theme to Todd TV. Ultimately, Todd didn’t feel he got enough time with Was. And bitched. Todd was asked to visit a therapist each week. Todd doesn’t need therapy (heh!). He wasted a willing qualified therapist’s time by pouting for an hour. Nice. Todd was asked to date two women, and the viewing audience would choose one. Guess what? Todd has a girlfriend. Well, he has a “fun buddy.” Surprise. Dating someone is out of the question. So, let’s see, “fun buddy” is not his girlfriend, yet he can’t date someone chosen by the show? Perfectly logical, when you’re Todd.