Some of you may remember reading about my experience participating in the ABC Primetime show “What Would You Do?” over the summer here in Paris. It finally aired on Tuesday night in the United States, and almost all of my family and friends happened to be watching. Aside from getting my hometown wrong (I’m not from Colorado) and some pretty heavy editing, I thought it turned out pretty well. You can watch it online here.
Some people object to the premise of the show, “The Ugly American in Paris”. Two actors portrayed loud, badly-dressed, uncultured oafs from Texas. Paris, Texas, that is. The hidden cameras were waiting to see how the French would react but it was mostly other Americans and tourists who spoke up and chastised the couple. But much was edited out of the final show. For example, most French people, when interviewed afterwards, were not surprised that it was a hidden camera show because the actors were just too over-the-top stereotypes to be believed. So for all of you who are worried or angry that they made Americans look bad, don’t worry. Most of the French didn’t fall for it anyway, and those who did just thought the Americans were having a good time and that the French act the same way when they’re on vacation. 😉