Reality TV- Make it Stop

[arkitect]

Once the sponsors got the taste of cheap programming, during the writers strike, the handwriting was on the wall.

Didn't need a writers' strike for bloody UK TV to get onto that bandwagon.

Sometimes it seems as if that is all there is to "TV" these days.
Anyone read Charlie Brooker last Saturday's Screen Burn? "…gouging my own eyes out with my thumb so I'd see 50 percent less of their godawful grinning gobs."

 

[Sdashiki]

Do what I did. Get rid of the TV altogether.

This is not a comment on your quote, but I quoted it because it got me thinking about it:

I cant stand it when your talking about TV, TV shows or whatnots and some random person, maybe even one of your acquaintances, mentions "Oh, I dont watch TV". Like they are some kind of superiour creature for "not giving into the glowing retard box".

Then you ask, "Well, do you own a TV?"

And they either say yes, or no.

Those who say yes, well, then you do watch TV, what you meant to say was "I dont watch TV shows, they suck, but I do like XXX and XXX" Where XXX can be a tv show they actually like or a movie.

Those who say no, well, IMO, wtf? Not having cable or an antennae is one thing, but are you meaning to tell me you dont play a single video game, watch a single DVD or care to see live news/weather coverage?

Reality TV is a reason to not watch mainstream TV, but not a reason to remove one of the greatest inventions of the last century. I mean Hitler was one of the first to see the potential power of TV...are you telling me that you don't want to be like Hitler?

 

[iJohnHenry]

S-t-r-e-t-c-h much??

I do watch "TV", every time I go by it, so I don't injure myself.

It has not been on, for anything, since April 12th.

 

[WinterMute]

I have an off switch, a remote control and some willpower, if I want to see retards bickering and fighting I can go stand in the closest pub's carpark at closing time any night of the week.

Reality TV is this centuries Freak Show, all thats missing is the stick to poke the devil baby with....

 

[Henri Gaudier]

They're crass it's true. It's also annoying that they've been commissioned and promoted etc but just don't watch. I have a TV and it goes on for the stuff I like and conversely, the more channels that are introduced, the less and less it goes on! But I keep it ... to have no Humphrey Bogart films on a rainy autumn afternoon, never to have seen the work of Jacques Cousteau or David Attenborough, to miss the Euro 2008 which is playing now .. no thanks. Use it sparingly and it's still a valuable thing.

 

[PlaceofDis]

Those who say no, well, IMO, wtf? Not having cable or an antennae is one thing, but are you meaning to tell me you dont play a single video game, watch a single DVD or care to see live news/weather coverage?

there are other ways of playing video games, watching DVDs, and finding news and weather coverage other than a TV. as it is i wouldn't even get local news on my TV right now. it gets turned on once a month, if that. there is one show i like to watch every now and then. i'm glad that they added it to HULU so i have a chance to see it when i'm in the mood. thats all.

if it wasn't for the possibility of me getting a Wii, the TV would be long gone since i don't currently have a monitor to hook it up too instead.

 

[JML42691]

I still can't believe that I actually wasted an hour of my night watching that "wipeout" show or whatever it was called, probably the worst show I have seen in a while. And I too hate most reality shows, the only one that I am watching is "The Mole," which is alright, but isn't as good as it was a few years ago. But these Bachelorette shows, and all of these find your love on TV are pure bull$&!@ and I cannot stand watching them.

 

[Abstract]

I don't mind "some" Reality TV shows.

Over the past 4 years, I have probably watched around 2 hours of television per year, excluding the World Cup, Olympics, or hockey playoffs. My friends downloaded shows like Top Gear, and I watch them. If you don't like reality, that's fine with me, but if your reason is because reality TV is not real, nor is it quality programming, exactly what society do you live in? Around 99% of TV is crap, and that even includes the shows that most people think are "good". Is any comedy on TV "good"? Dramas? You think 'Heroes' is good because you like it, not because it requires more than "half a brain". Same goes for Grey's Anatomy, House, or any scripted show. Maybe you want to believe it takes a smarter person to watch Six Feet Under --- or whatever HBO is churning out now --- because it's sad and emotional, and therefore, must be for smart people. I enjoyed that show when it was still on TV, but should I feel all smug and superior about it? Does watching a show designed to make me feel more sympathy for the characters mean I'm smart? No.

Even Big Brother, which is filled with annoying people stuck in a VERY unrealistic situation, is more "real" than many of the comedys and dramas TV snobs watch because at least with shows like Big Brother, real humans are getting pissed off at each other due to the stresses of co-existing in a closed space/cage. It's stupid because we all know this type of situation will get people to do and say things they don't mean, but it seems more real nonetheless.

If you want quality, just stick to the news, documentaries, and anything that wasn't made purely for entertainment. Most people who complain about reality TV are watching crap as well. They just think it's good. The REAL smart people will recognize the fact that the same stories have been told on TV shows for decades, but will continue to watch whatever they find enjoyable at the time.

The, the shows I watch are the 6 o'clock news, Top Gear, House, and occasionally Hell's Kitchen and Big Brother. The only show I make time for is Top Gear, and I must say, my life doesn't feel particularly enriched because of it.

 

[robbieduncan]

I was going to say I'm proud that I don't want reality TV, but I watch the Apprentice even though it is mostly a giant big farce it's pretty interesting to watch.

I watch it too. And I quite like Hells Kitchen USA (as it's called here to distinguish it from the original UK series). Mostly because I like the look of shock and horror on the Americans faces when Ramsey swears at them

 

[cycocelica]

Reality shows are cheap to make. They will be around for a very long time. Get used to it.

 

[Abstract]

Do you know what shows like Ninja Warrior used to be called? Game shows.


Nothing new here folks. Just a rebadging.

I watch it too. And I quite like Hells Kitchen USA (as it's called here to distinguish it from the original UK series). Mostly because I like the look of shock and horror on the Americans faces when Ramsey swears at them

Haha, I do enjoy that show when I get the chance to watch TV. I don't know about America and Canada, but in Australia, they can show Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares with all the cursing after 9:30 PM, which makes it perfect.

 

[Antares]

I actually really enjoyed "I Survived a Japanese Game Show." It's fun and shows portions Japanese culture and Japan. I'm not going to make it a point to religiously watch it...but if I'm home, I'll definitely be putting it on.

I too agree that, often, people who say "I don't watch TV" or "got rid of my TV" give off an almost elitist impression. It just feels like they are trying to imply that they are something special or better than you because of that...and they feel the need to always point that out. I know that's probably not always the case....I've dated one of them and know it's not....but that's the impression they give when they make statements like that.

Anyway, yeah, I'm not too keen on reality tv. I hate American Idol and all those stupid dancing and talent shows. One station does one and the others have to copy it...with a slight variations. Ugh! But what is reality tv? Gameshows like Wheel of Fortune and The Price is Right? Cooking shows like Rick Bayless and Julia Child? Handyman shows like This Old House or the New Yankee Workshop? Travel shows like Rick Steeve's Europe or Globe Trekker? Science shows like Nova or Nature? Technically, all of these are "Reality TV." And I love/loved them all. Maybe it's just the talent shows that I don't like. The problem is, it's the talent shows that make up the glut of prime time broadcast tv. That's what I think we're all sick of.

I casually watch several reality shows but there are only two that I never miss: The Amazing Race and Beauty and the Geek. Those are great fun.

 

[Stampyhead]

Those who say no, well, IMO, wtf? Not having cable or an antennae is one thing, but are you meaning to tell me you dont play a single video game, watch a single DVD or care to see live news/weather coverage?

My TV broke back in October (8 months ago) and I realized that I didn't miss it and haven't bothered getting a new one. In the unlikely event a show comes along that I actually want to watch, I will look for it on iTunes and download it from there (The Tudors, South Park). The only show I really miss that I can't get on iTunes is the Simpsons, so I'm just buying up the DVD's as they come along. For news I visit cnn.com/cbc.com/news.bbc.co.uk and I get weather from weather.com or from the widget on my Dashboard.

 

[0098386]

Is Jeremy Kyle also reality TV? I sometimes watch that, the epitome of freak show TV. It's amazing that these people exist.

As for TV in general... Before my anxiety a couple of months back I only watched a handful of shows. I watch about 30 minutes a day, but never more than 2 hours (Doctor Who and Casualty on Sat ).

 

[gkarris]

Then, there's the TV show spin-offs...

Example: "Lost" is just "Survivor" with an attempted story line...

You can also think of it as "Giligan's Island" re-imagined...



(runs for cover...)

 

[furcalchick]

I actually really enjoyed "I Survived a Japanese Game Show." It's fun and shows portions Japanese culture and Japan. I'm not going to make it a point to religiously watch it...but if I'm home, I'll definitely be putting it on.

I too agree that, often, people who say "I don't watch TV" or "got rid of my TV" give off an almost elitist impression. It just feels like they are trying to imply that they are something special or better than you because of that...and they feel the need to always point that out. I know that's probably not always the case....I've dated one of them and know it's not....but that's the impression they give when they make statements like that.

Anyway, yeah, I'm not too keen on reality tv. I hate American Idol and all those stupid dancing and talent shows. One station does one and the others have to copy it...with a slight variations. Ugh! But what is reality tv? Gameshows like Wheel of Fortune and The Price is Right? Cooking shows like Rick Bayless and Julia Child? Handyman shows like This Old House or the New Yankee Workshop? Travel shows like Rick Steeve's Europe or Globe Trekker? Science shows like Nova or Nature? Technically, all of these are "Reality TV." And I love/loved them all. Maybe it's just the talent shows that I don't like. The problem is, it's the talent shows that make up the glut of prime time broadcast tv. That's what I think we're all sick of.

I casually watch several reality shows but there are only two that I never miss: The Amazing Race and Beauty and the Geek. Those are great fun.

i liked the japanese game show with kei kaito (if you watch banzuke on g4, you will know who i'm talking about). it was pretty fun.

i wasn't too keen on wipeout though, it seemed just dumb, especially with the girl whining over a lost nail. i don't see women on ninja warrior whining about lost nails.

i'm not a tv snob and i don't mind reality tv. i actually enjoy some of it, like amazing race and the such. i refuse to watch the survivor and big brother types however, (mostly just relationship drama) which is classified as the benchmark of reality tv. but i agree most people are sick of the spawns of american idol taking over network tv. if i wanted that, i'll hit youtube. my rule on tv, if it's a quality tv show (scripted or not), i'll watch, if it looks like trash to me, i won't watch. for the record, i don't watch alot of network tv, i usually watch cable.

i like amazing race too, but i think the quality has dropped off in the last couple runs.

 

[mac 2005]

Do people really watch this crap?

I Survived a Japanese Game Show - Americans compete in a zany Japanese game show.

Yes, yes they do watch.

That said, I thought the premise of this show could be funny -- for one episode, anyway.

 

[Mousse]

Then, there's the TV show spin-offs...

Example: "Lost" is just "Survivor" with an attempted story line...

I enjoyed the first season of "Survivor." The later seasons, they talked constantly about alliances and strategies...Meh. After the first episode of "Lost" I commented to a co-worker that it was "Survivor" with real actors. I lost interest after they started doing the garbage about how the Island brought them there for a reason...Meh.

 

[Roger1]

Reality TV, blech.

History Channel, Discovery Channel, Military Channel, Animal Planet, PBS, any station with cartoons, and occasionally Trick my Truck or Pimp my ride. Oh, and VH1 when they have the '80's metal videos on.

No reality TV. If those idiots on TV want reality, they can come to my house and do my laundry for me.

 

[gkarris]

Reality TV, blech.

History Channel, Discovery Channel, Military Channel, Animal Planet, PBS, any station with cartoons, and occasionally Trick my Truck or Pimp my ride. Oh, and VH1 when they have the '80's metal videos on.

No reality TV. If those idiots on TV want reality, they can come to my house and do my laundry for me.

This has to be one of the most awesome posts on this website.

Love your avatar!

 

[MacNut]

Reality TV, blech.

History Channel, Discovery Channel, Military Channel, Animal Planet, PBS, any station with cartoons, and occasionally Trick my Truck or Pimp my ride. Oh, and VH1 when they have the '80's metal videos on.

No reality TV. If those idiots on TV want reality, they can come to my house and do my laundry for me.

By VH1 I assume you mean classic, and Pimp my Ride classifies as reality TV.

 

[NT1440]

The only reality show I watch is 30 Days, because that's actually interesting, has a purpose, and requires more than half a brain to understand it.

Morgan Spurlock FTW!

i love that show

HATE the rest of "reality" TV

 

[bbbensen]

so far, wipeout looks more like staged reality tv than funny game show like ninja warrior.

Wipeout wasnt that great. It would be better if the announcers stop cracking stupid jokes every second. I wanted to stab them in the eye.

I actually really enjoyed "I Survived a Japanese Game Show." It's fun and shows portions Japanese culture and Japan. I'm not going to make it a point to religiously watch it...but if I'm home, I'll definitely be putting it on.

I enjoyed it too. I hated the little hand gesture that they did.... But I plan to watch it again.

 

[rdowns]

I work on a number of reality TV shows and I can tell you they are far from "reality"

Every aspect of the show is scripted. If the people infront of the camera do not say what the producers want to hear, they stop the cameras, have a small meeting and the next thing you know, you have the subjects expressing their frustration or surprise and amazingly they say exactly what the producers want to hear.

Reality TV is the bottom of the barrel in terms of "unscripted" television shows. They are cheap to make, they are not paying actors because people actually do this stuff for free (15 minutes of fame) and they make money which is the bottom line for the executives steering the network ship. Quality programming is no longer the direction - if it makes money for the network, they'll broadcast it.

Isn't that the truth. I recently lived in a hotel for 4 months and an E! crew was there to film Lindsay Lohan's mother's reality show. Man, those guys could drink and they told stories of how set it all was. Supposedly there's a scene where she goes to the mall but it was filmed in the AM before the mall was open using extras.

OMG, tonight's TV Guide channel is even worse than last night's...


Wife Swap
Super Nanny
So You Think You Can Dance
Baby Borrowers- we have hit a new low
Celebrity Circus
game shows - geez, one can only hope network TV is doomed to extinction. Thank god for Animal Planet.

 

[MonksMac]

Reality TV, blech.

History Channel, Discovery Channel, Military Channel, Animal Planet, PBS, any station with cartoons, and occasionally Trick my Truck or Pimp my ride. Oh, and VH1 when they have the '80's metal videos on.

No reality TV. If those idiots on TV want reality, they can come to my house and do my laundry for me.

Great Post! That last part reminds me of a line from a Duran Duran song-
"... You don't have to dream at all, just live a day..." If you wan't real reality watch the news or the History channel. Those are reality and as an added bonus you actually can learn stuff when you watch them!