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"And to find out who the winner is, you will have to stay tuned through the next commercial break," my 7-year-old utters inexplicably as my family plays our latest favorite game, Apples to Apples.
She then goes on to do what sound like two 30 second commercials, albeit for products I can't really get a grip on because she is speaking so quickly and not completely enunciating.
"And now, back to the game. Who will win, Daddy or Mommy? The tension is mounting. Only I have the answer," she says mixing the two cards belonging to myself and my husband around in her little hands. "This is the most dramatic game of Apples to Apples ever."
Suddenly, it hits me. Too much reality television. She is mixing moments from American Idol with other shows she had seen bits and pieces of. I didn't realize she was paying such close attention to the not-so-subtle nuances of Hollywood's attempts to keep viewers engaged. I try to explain to her that our game will take forever if she doesn't get on with it and pick a winner.
"Mommy, it is much more exciting this way," she says with a precious grin. So I let her go. It takes another improvisational commercial break before we can move on with the game. By the time she announces the winner, no one wants to play anymore.
I've decided the next time we play the game, I'm setting my DVR.
Amanda is the mom of two girls, a reporter for WRAL-TV and the author of several books including one on motherhood called "Smotherhood." Find her here every Monday.
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August 9, 2010 11:39 a.m.