On Reality TV
Posted April 11th, 2003 @ 09:38am by Erik J. Barzeski
Gabe says of reality TV:
Survivor. The Real World. American Idol. The Bachelor. What do all these shows have in common? They all suck.
This from the premise that "they're not reality." Frankly, Gabe, I'm not buying it. Just because "reality tv isn't reality" doesn't mean it "sucks." Reality TV, were it actual reality, would be pretty damn boring. Reality TV has its moments, its bright shining spots where someone acts so tremendously stupid that it's enjoyable. Nobody watching reality TV is deluded enough to think that it "is" reality. You're a screenwriter/director, Gabe. Give your audience a little more credit than that.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to blog about last night's episode of Survivor.
Donate Life
Posted 11 Apr 2003 at 10:31am #
For me the problem is more one of overexposure. Every network has at least 1, if not more. Channels like The History Channel are launching reality-type shows. MTV is mostly reality TV at this point (Real World; Road Rules; Sorority Life; Frat Life; etc etc). The only new shows launched seem to be reality TV. I'd just like a choice between reality TV and the latest forensic pathology/cop/legal thriller.
Posted 11 Apr 2003 at 1:05pm #
Yeah, so? There are a myriad of reasons why I think those shows are God-awful. Want another one? I tune people off when I think they're being annoying, so why would I watch the same damn thing on TV? 🙂
Posted 13 Apr 2003 at 10:59am #
They're just lazy TV. It's so much easier to point a camera at a bunch of whiny idiots than it is to pay a competent writing staff to construct a snappy half-hour of comedy (e.g. vintage Newsradio, Seinfeld, etc.) or an engaging drama (vintage X-Files, Twin Peaks, Buffy, etc.)