Reality TV is there to help fill the void

I think I was annoying at times, as a child.

The most common question I asked my grandfather was always, "What are we going to do next?"

And his response was always the same: "Go ask your grandmother."

But what are we going to do now?

Now that the Super Bowl is over and March Madness is still light-years away? What is going to excite us the way Janet Jackson's chest did?

For me, it's Reality TV, baby.

I don't usually watch Reality TV, but now that we're in a transition in sports I might give it a try. Besides, it's just like sports. There's always a winner, and there's definitely losers. Reality TV is almost like the playoffs, on every episode there's some sap who is one-and-done.

And the best part is, it's all compacted into one hour. Watch the dopes make fools of themselves for 35 minutes and then somebody gets the boot.

Do you ever watch the old episodes of "Love Connection"? Chuck Woolery was years ahead of the curve.

There's plenty to do in your week ahead:

Tuesday

Going 1-1 through rivalry week isn't bad at all. It puts Southeast Missouri State right back into the thick of things and keeps them out of the cellar. Every game is big from here on out, though. The Otahkians host Eastern Illinois at 5 p.m., and the Indians play at 7:30 p.m. By the way, are they still the Indians?

Wednesday

My friend Jeff continually reminds me that St. Louis University's men's basketball team is one of the most exciting teams in the area. Jeff is also partially blind, and all he can make out are the shapes moving down the court. But at least the Billikens didn't lose to Belmont. The Bills begin a three-game homestand with DePaul at 7:10 p.m.

Thursday

And if the sun is bothering your eyes in the back seat of the van, get mom to take you to see the Blues and Avalanche. The first 15,000 get a window cling. Avalanche at Blues 6:30 p.m.

Friday

Two games highlight the high school schedule: Poplar Bluff at Notre Dame, and New Madrid County Central at Jackson. Both games begin at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday

Of course, the one mention of this weekend's rodeo will be a plug for my company. What do you expect, I have to earn a paycheck. It's Southeast Missourian youth bandana night at the rodeo. The rodeo begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are available at the Show Me Center box office. Seats start at $15.

Sunday

Things can always get worse, but I don't know how. I'm bottoming out as a Tiger fan. UNLV visits the University of Missouri in a nonconference game at 2:30 p.m.

David Wilson is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian and a student at Central High School.