Lochte finds new way to entertain

15

Author: Noel Hemphill

Ryan Lochte has added a new title to his long list of accomplishments: reality TV star. E! Network picked up filming the interview-challenged athlete in an effort to fill the time space where Kardashian shenanigans would usually appear. Though Lochte may not do well with words, watching him prank his brother, go on painfully awkward dates, hang out with his adorable mother and in general learn about the show’s title – an enticing question – of “What Would Ryan Lochte Do?” makes for some great television.

The show is a mere two episodes in, and viewers already have already begun to get a good picture of the gold medalist and his life as a stereotypical jock. Lochte goes from swim practice to flag football games in style with his aptly titled “Lochterage” in tow, holding dubious red cups from venue to venue as he giggles through life. He holds house parties and invites tall and beautiful girls over to drink with him and his boys. He shouts his typical cheer of “Jeah” in bars while he mixes up the “Lochte Long Island” for a bevy of blondes unable to keep their eyes off the Greek god in front of them. Lochte is an adorable quasi-celebrity, and he knows it – but so do those around him. He gets shut down by girls, and his best friend is his personal assistant.

Throughout the whole television experience, it’s easy to forget he is just a guy. He is a professional athlete whose good looks made him the toast of London 2012; his talent was merely the icing on the cake. The show reveals the more routine moments of his life which show him as a more relatable, likeable person. He lives with his younger brother, and the two are as thick as thieves. His hobbies include skateboarding and bowling with his family. He plays with his sisters’ babies happily, and cries when he recalls the support of his family getting him to where he is today. Those same sisters chastise Lochte for his dating methods and for his selection of “What Women Want” as his favorite movie.

He truly is just a goofy, handsome man who stumbled in to the spotlight. His word vomit and blank-out moments in interviews made him America’s favorite idiot; the show gives us a guy who is more complex, from training for the 2016 Olympics to working with his charity for muscular dystrophy.

Lochte admits to his mental blank-outs, saying that he gets off topic and that then “a jumping banana” will be in his head. His humility, honesty, hardworking attitude and signature wink make this show a winner. Lochte is an enigma wrapped in a truly stunning package of muscles; viewers will stay tuned in to watch him party and continue on his search for a girlfriend who takes him seriously. However, viewers will most likely watch for the gratuitous shots of Lochte in a teeny-tiny speedo. Whatever the reason for watching “What Would Ryan Lochte Do?” I am certain America has found its new guilty pleasure.

This article has been archived, for more requests please contact us via the support system.

Loading

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here