PREFACE: In the interests of fair blogging, I will admit that I am not and never have been a fan of reality TV. Any time I've watched an entire episode...or any portion thereof ... has been when my daughters have been at home and I watched it to spend time with them. Otherwise...I just didn't get it. So the following is defintely from a slanted point of view. (Ed. Note: I was going to say "Fair and balanced blogging", but don't want Bill O'Reilly crawling up my a$$).
BUT, I just did a quick review of the upcoming television season. In light of Katrina, I think so called "Reality TV" will seem vapid; well, more vapid, actually.
Survivor: Please. Do I have to say it? Survivor: Guatamala is going to appear very trite after Survivor: The Attic.
Big Brother: A bunch of people living together in a house? Compare that to Big Brother: The Dome
The Apprentice: Several hundred thousand people are suddenly unemployed. Trumps pouty-lipped "You're fired" is just going to sound wrong.
The Amazing Race: Top racing a storm surge to save your life, then we'll talk Amazing.
The Real Gilligan's Island: Truthfully, I never understood the whole reality concept of that show. (and R.I.P. Little Buddy and Maynard G. Krebs) (and I know there are a bunch of guy types who think two Maryanne's and two Gingers are the makings for The Real Fantasy Island.)
Wife Swap: How about Wife Find?
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition: You all are smart people, I don't think I need to say anything on this.
Fear Factor: Fortunately, I don't see this on NBC's fall line-up....but that doesn't mean it won't pop up as a replacement show. Wonder if the producers are thinking about the lost opportunity of having a swim meet in the toxic gumbo.
Then on the regular programs...Desperate Housewives and Lost. Now, I AM a fan of DH....but desperation has taken on a whole new meaning lately. And Lost; again, I don't have to say any more.
Yes, we will need our escape from reality, maybe more than before. But since we've had harsh reality TV the last 10 days or so, I'm wondering how that will affect the "reality TV" genre.
Saying "genre" after "reality TV" leaves a really nasty taste in my mouth.
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4 comments:
Excellent observations!
Brilliant, Sly! I so agree (though I do watch Lost).
And I'm pretty sure NBC will be bringing back the disgusting Fear Factor later in the season.
Ditto what Leetie said!
The overwhelming majority have decided to lump a whole bunch of TV shows under the "Reality" moniker. OK, I'm outnumbered and I surrender. But please allow me to subdivide them into 2 groups: Enjoyable and Vile.
Enjoyable shows include Survivor and The Amazing Race. These shows challenge people physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually. I find it interesting to watch how various people respond to these challenges.
Vile shows include just about everything else. It seems that there is no bottom -- however low the producers set the bar, they find contestants who will slither under it. "Let's find a good-looking dude, pretend he's loaded with money, and film gold-digging women whoring themselves to attract his affection." "Super!"
Hydeman
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