Alright, so today I’m gonna ramble about something kinda random I messed around with – the Spike TV Guys Choice Awards. Yeah, that’s right, that show from back in the day. Don’t judge me!
Where it Started: Just Boredom, Really
It all began on a particularly dull Saturday afternoon. I was scrolling through YouTube, trying to find something, anything, to keep my brain from turning to mush. I stumbled across a clip from the Guys Choice Awards, probably some dude getting an award for being, well, a dude. For some reason, it sparked a weird nostalgic interest. I mean, remember when Spike TV was a thing?
The Deep Dive: What Even Was This Thing?
- First, I hit up Wikipedia. I needed to know the basics – years it ran, purpose, the whole shebang. Turns out it was a yearly thing, celebrating (and sometimes poking fun at) guys’ favorite stuff. From movies and TV shows to babes and bros, it covered a lot of ground.
- Then came the YouTube rabbit hole. I spent a solid hour watching acceptance speeches, skits, and musical performances. Some were hilarious, some were cringey, but all were definitely… of their time. Think lots of objectification and dudes being dudes.
- Next, I tried to find some behind-the-scenes stuff. Articles, interviews, anything to get a sense of what went on when the cameras weren’t rolling. Sadly, there wasn’t a whole lot out there. It wasn’t exactly a cultural touchstone, ya know?
The “Why?” Question: Why Did I Even Care?
Good question. I honestly couldn’t put my finger on it at first. Was it the early 2000s nostalgia? Was it the bizarrely specific categories (“Most Manticipated Movie,” anyone?)? Or was it just the sheer absurdity of it all? Maybe it was all of the above.
The “Experiment”: A Modern Guys Choice?
Okay, so here’s where it got a little weird. I started thinking about what a modern-day “Guys Choice Awards” would even look like. The culture has changed so much since Spike TV went off the air. Would it even be possible to do a show like that today without getting totally roasted online?
- I jotted down some potential categories. Instead of “Hottest Chick,” maybe “Badass Female Lead.” Instead of “Guy of the Year,” maybe “Male Ally of the Year.” I tried to keep the humor, but ditch the blatant sexism and objectification.
- I even started brainstorming potential nominees. Think Keanu Reeves for being a generally awesome dude, Zendaya for dominating the screen, and maybe even some streamers and YouTubers for their contributions to online culture.
- The whole thing was a thought experiment, really. A way to think about how masculinity has evolved (or not evolved) over the past decade.
The Takeaway: It Was Fun, Actually
Look, I’m not saying I’m going to start producing a Guys Choice Awards reboot. But the whole experience was surprisingly entertaining. It forced me to think about how media shapes our perceptions of gender, and how humor can be both progressive and problematic.
Would I do it again? Maybe. If I’m ever bored enough, I might even try to write a full script for a modern Guys Choice Awards. Just for kicks, ya know?
So yeah, that’s my weird little Spike TV Guys Choice Awards adventure. Don’t judge me too harshly. We all have our guilty pleasures!
