[Mirithorn]

I personally liked every reality show I've ever seen. I know, I know, I shouldn't- maybe they're not as sophisticated as they might be. But I've always loved people watching, seeing how people react to eachother and how social dynamics work in different situations. But almost everyone I know (well, that I know well, as in, people who use my name when they're not in situations where it is absolutely necessary) denounce them as mindless entertainment. What's your opinion?

[Otal Nimrodi]

I think they're mindless. I mean, some of them are good, in the way that you describe, but a lot of them are just there for the "Eww!" factor. But I'm not judging you for liking them. I watch Pro Wrestling, so...

[barend]

i think they glorify and encourage mediocrity and are doing a way better job of destroying western civilization then terrorism will ever be capable of.

[Al Creed]

i think they glorify and encourage mediocrity and are doing a way better job of destroying western civilization then terrorism will ever be capable of.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have never seen Reality TV summed up so nicely in one sentence.

[Rhubarb]

Absofuckinglutely.

I admit to having taken mild interest in one series of Big Brother, in which some of the contestants seemed rather nice people. This was so unusual that I was somewhat intrigued, and watched to see how they'd react to the rest of the contestants who were the usual hateful fuckhats.

I agree with barend. They're just so... pointless. There's nothing inspirational or creative or, well, anything about them at all. I'd go a step further and say that the only appeal of BB seems to be a) vouyerism, and b) judgementalism. You get to perv on people (my mother calls them 'her little pets' as though they were The Sims or mice in a hutch) who are more or less unaware of you, and you can stand in judgement of whether or not they are worthy to receive your approval. It's... kind of sick. Not nearly as sick as the thumbs-up thumbs-down of Roman gladiatoral games, but it's the same principle.

The ones where you don't get to vote are just as bad. Caper for my amusement, tiny people. If your performance is subpar, out you go.

I saw a reality show in the UK where viewers basically just watched contestants talk about themselves and why they wanted money, and then judged them worthy or unworthy to get a cash prize, based on their personality and appearance. It was shortlived because it lacked a gimmick, but it was just the bare fundamentals of reality TV stripped naked.

This post has been edited by Rhubarb: 25 July 2005 - 11:57 PM

[Mirithorn]

I don't know, there's just something so fascinating about how stupid people can be. And it's nice to be mildly angry about something without getting to the point where I am actually yelling at an electrical appliance. I do have trouble choosing favorites, though, since a) I watch tv other than Star Trek so rarely that I never see more than one show of a particular... well, show and I don't really like any of them and they all seem like morons. Yes, I'm arguing with myself. *notices top bar* I've been saying that Bush is a Sith ever since I saw the third movie! Oh, and Otal, watching wrestling is a much, much worse crime.

[Despondent]

The Amazing Race (CBS, US) is pretty good. Great locales, a noble effort (6 weeks of non-stop world travel, who can argue with that?) and you STILL get to look down on the stupid people shouting with each other.

I would LOVE to do that show!

[Otal Nimrodi]

Oh, and Otal, watching wrestling is a much, much worse crime. 

We've had this conversation before. If I did not watch wrestling, I would have to act more like a boy, and you would hate me. Would you rather I was a twin? (Nothing against twins in general, just certain ones, whom I have mentioned before.))

[Emu]

Reality TV embodies the fact that our society's collective imagination is beginning to wither and die due to neglect.

[SithAvenger]

I have to agree with Despondent. The Amazing Race is a GREAT show. It's exciting and funny. But the Amazing Race is the only good reality show out there. I think all reality shows suck except the Amazing Race.
They should make a channel where they show all reality shows so we can simply avoid that channel.

[floppydisk]

Reality shows suck, except for The Mole (which, even thought it was pitched as a reality show, was really a game show).

This post has been edited by floppydisk: 28 July 2005 - 07:50 AM

[Laughlyn]

They should make a channel where they show all reality shows so we can simply avoid that channel.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They're way ahead of you....

[Mnesymone]

Hook's Law dictates that pretty much any reality Tv show will be unrealistic. Also the gimmicks are unrealistic.

Hence my idea for a reality TV show called "Survivor"
Very similar in many respects to the reality TV show "Survivor" but different.
The basic premise is to take your bunch of contestants, gear them up in clothes with hidden cameras and transmitters on them, give them their food and water and suchlike and put them on their island. They will work together, establish their camp, maybe the tribe allegiances, eat their food, drink their water, find more water and possibly find more food. Then we see the voting process go in. Rather than voting people off the island, they vote on who they are going to cannibalise. Once the last person is eaten, there will be one person left. This one is the survivor. They are then taken off the island and given their prize - survival.

This would be a reality tv show. But owing to pesky laws, this is illegal.
The only real reality tv show currently shown is something like the hidden camera segment of Dead Ringers.

[floppydisk]

As a NightLife Cardinal, I fully endorse that awesome TV show concept.

I've got an idea for a show too, but it's not a reality.

It's just like baseball, with all the same rules and everything. The only catch is that I'm going to let numerous small animals onto the field, like cats and chuauias, and if you hit one with the baseball, you get extra points for you team.

Then when the FEMA people show up, I'll promise to stop if they come to an animal-free game. I'll put them in the outfield seats, lock the doors, put even more small animals on the field, and give super-double points if you hit the FEMA people.

[Rhubarb]

You all need to be euthanised. Except for barend. And Mnesy.

I would have to act more like a boy, and you would hate me.

So Otal's a girl now or what?