Deployment Idol

So when I asked on Facebook about ideas for upcoming blogs, a friend suggested "Project Runway".  How stereotypically quaint I thought, and I almost dismissed it.  As of yet, DADT has not yet been officially repealed, so I don't think Ru Paul will be making an appearance anytime soon on the USO circuit.  On the other hand, MASH's Klinger made a pretty good cross dresser for back then, so I decided that a reality show might still be a good idea, but what to write?  I started brainstorming and here are some ideas and clips for potential pilot shows:

"Middle East Idol", where contestants lip sync to popular songs much in the same way a drag queen performs for money, but they do it for free and in uniform.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyxT5MBZTTs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZD6o5z8LBM

"Big Brother - Season LXIX" (The Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o0zsIHTx2A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x6m-JZTrjs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9DHTNqBVmc

"Survivor - Helmand Province", where contestants compete against themselves but still have to outwit not only the Taliban, but also the U.S. Marines, who will beat them just as bad if not wearing their blue burqas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-P8clU7gL8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwSFj_GjrL0

"The Dead Sea Shore", where the Israeli Army lives for gym, tan, and laundry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm4UAt_bKwo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awaGFgsHD9A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Swh9xAJmzE

"Dancing With the Soft Porn Stars", where the dancing scenes between Service Members go way beyond normal male bonding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPgD2fj6eiE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZujPj2HnBh4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q775dmiBGy0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4CcJcCrWcc

"Project Runway Repair", where U.S. Airmen take worn out uniform parts and try to create the next fashion sensation for contestants to compete with on the U.S. Navy's own show: "Next Bottom Model".
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0WgILwEJcc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIRerGVrEeg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKvy9UhQRXQ

"The Army's Got Talent (No Really)", where Soldiers audition to land an entertainment contract, hopefully getting them out from their prior eight year unbreakable contract, with the U.S. Army.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uezJfTG9ELI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW1toLy_FMQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8rm56hTDDs

"Stop Chef!", where even the contracted local workers are as foul mouthed and critical as Gordon Ramsey of the DFAC food.

"Biggest Loser - Kuwait", which will be cancelled after the pilot episode because nobody loses much weight on deployments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbZoRO9geCc

And my personal favorite:
"So You Really DO Think You Can Dance?", where Service Members are foolish enough to submit audition takes of freestyle dancing in hopes of becoming the next Internet sensation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTjrUfZAuUs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KplDb81NLdc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT8onkYDQsc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcbSe6MpPVk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvUY9AGhZfc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPs4bTcyfFI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BjRODnhsfU

While I've never participated in one of these productions, I don't think I'd have any reservations in doing so.  Going to war takes its toll on your mind and emotional well-being, and finding enjoyment anywhere you can, even by making an ass out of yourself, is self-help therapy.  Just being able to laugh at yourself and share that laughter with others reminds us all that we're human and helps the folks back home remember that too.  I'm often critical of "Reality TV", but that's not reality at all.  War is reality, and so are the things we all do to keep us sane until we come home.  And we're live in 3... 2... 1...

More to follow.