"Is this chicken or tuna?" It's the age-long question that has America's new favorite blonde, Jessica Simpson, baffled beyond belief. And that's only one of the many moments that audiences have witnessed on "Newlyweds," the MTV reality series starring Simpson and husband Nick Lachey. Now in its second season, "Newlyweds" has become one of MTV's highest-rated shows... ever.
The show follows the young couple as they begin their new (and crazy) post-marriage life together. Simpson is the beautiful, whiny, messy, lazy, innocent wife who doesn't always say the most intelligent things. Some of America's favorite Jessica-isms include not knowing if Chicken of (or as she calls it, Chicken by) the Sea tuna is chicken or tuna, thinking that buffalo wings are made from buffalo, and taking along her Louis Vuitton bag on a camping trip.
Lachey plays the role of the responsible, neat-freak, do-it-yourself, constantly stressed-out husband who always tries to please his wife. Some of Lachey's more memorable moments include attempting to decorate the house while Simpson is gone, taking on a swarm of angry bees and going to the Playboy mansion.
The show takes the pop stars everywhere from their L.A. home to the golf course, to the Caribbean and on an unforgettable camping adventure. Even though the two run into obstacles in each episode (such as Simpson spending $750 on some bras and underwear or Lachey attending one of Hugh Hefner's parties), they've been able to overcome them and have successfully made it through their first year together, which is where the second season takes off.
Audiences can expect many laughs and more insane moments from Simpson and Lachey as they attempt to conquer year two of their marriage. In the season premiere, Simpson and Lachey celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, Simpson's manager (her father) forgot about this important day and scheduled her to perform in Atlantic City. Trying to make the best of a less-than-perfect situation, Simpson and Lachey spend their anniversary gambling, taking a romantic carriage ride to a fancy dinner and staying in a luxurious hotel room adorned with rose petals. But these aspects are completely overshadowed by the highlight of the day - an Octoberfest celebration. They are the youngest people in attendance by at least 50 years.
In the most recent installment of the new season, Lachey turns 30, something he is less than thrilled about. To make the transition into his third decade easier, Simpson plans a birthday party for to end all birthday parties for her husband. Meanwhile, Lachey has been set up to do an interview with "Star Magazine." He meets with the reporter at a restaurant, only to be asked questions pertaining to his sex life and get stuck with the bill for lunch.
Because Simpson knows that her husband is having a rough time, she flies all of his hometown friends out for the soirée. Lachey's 30th birthday turns out to be better than what he expected. With an ensemble of cabaret dancers, Simpson jumps out of a birthday cake, scantily clad in a black corset and garter belt. To top everything off, she buys Lachey a $55,000 dollar diamond-encrusted watch.
And where would the new season be without its golden (or should I say blonde) Jessica moments? While talking on the phone in the second episode, she says, "What do you call those sports guys...oh yeah, that's right, athletes!" In the brand new third episode, Simpson inquires about the origins of Al Pacino's character Scarface, asking, "Is his face scarred or something?"
The immense popularity of the show has brought Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey into the mainstream limelight. Before "Newlyweds," Simpson was simply the girl who wanted to be a virgin until she got married, and Lachey was the guy from 98 Degrees. Now with cable's highest rated show, a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live and offers to star in sitcoms and movies, these newlyweds are some of the best known, most talked about stars in show business. When Simpson's third album "In this Skin" was released (about a month prior to the first season of the show), it appeared as though it would be a flop. Now, after the triumph of "Newlyweds," Simpson's album has been certified gold and continues to climb up the Billboard charts.
Even if you don't like or listen to pop music, you will fall in love with "Newlyweds." Or perhaps the more appropriate description is that you will wet yourself by watching "Newlyweds" from laughing so hard. It's comedy, it's drama (not to mention lots of burps and comments about human by-products!). There is some element of the show that everyone will enjoy. This Valentine's Day, everyone should check in with Nick and Jessica because even if you're not in a relationship with someone, at least you can laugh about it.
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