I've been catching up on past episodes of the Bulgarian TV show: <a href="http://play.novatv.bg/play/256654/?autostart=true" target="_blank">Lost in Bulgaria</a> (Изгубени в България) which plays on NOVA tv this past weekend. Here's the basic "plot" of this "reality" television show. Two foreigners who happen speak Bulgarian (because they are--or were--Peace Corps Volunteers) find themselves in a variety of different situations in Bulgaria as they try to explore life in this country.

Each episode revolves around a place and the kind of things that happen in the episode are based "real" life in this place. The place, activities and life seem to be normal for the people living them but they are supposed to be foreign for the Americans. The show then plays up the differences between what the Americans know and expect and the various communities they find themselves visiting.

Episode one: a village in the Rhodopes.

Two: a gypsy encampment on the edge of Sofia.

And most recently a fishing town on the Black Sea.

This show is something else. I alternate between feeling really uncomfortable for the American girl and boy to feeling totally uncomfortable for the Bulgarian host of the episode. <!--more--> At times, I've wanted to stop watching but then I make myself continue. As I said earlier on twitter, I'm obsessed and disgusted all at once with this show. It's sort of like a train wreck. I don't want to look but I do anyway.

I mean that's the point right? An up close look at someone 's life with a little drama tossed in for good measure. Only the way this show is set-up it's not always clear to me who is laughing at whom.

Are the Americans on the show laughing at the Bulgarian hosts? Are the Bulgarians laughing at the Americans? Am I laughing at both of them? And generally, the Bulgarian viewers, who are they laughing at?

Ah, I don't always know and that's what makes it most unbearable to watch. I can't always tell who's being objectified and used for the viewers pleasure.

Anyhow, I have to go to school now but don't worry there's definitely more to follow on this topic.