[BleedingRomero]

I like to think i live above the ignorance when it comes to choosing my channels carefully, but you can't go past 3 without seeing a trailer for some idiots new reality tv show. Why is society rewarding seemingly "entertaining" behaviour with air time and fame? This fact is discouraging to me and I desperately need someone to explain the meaning behind this tragedy in our entertainment stream.

[isis-999]

Simple. "Reality" shows are cheap. As cheap as showing a blank screen. Sitcoms,Dramas,and especially action and or Sci-Fi cost tons of money to produce,while a Reality Show can break even with zero ratings.

And,if it DOES "hit",it's like printing money for the network.

[Rosewin]

Quote

I can’t believe how many emails I got from those of you who watch that program, Jon & Kate Plus 8. It’s a reality TV show, and they’re breaking up because he had an affair? Because she seems to be really mean to him, people have written suggesting I get involved. NO WAY.

When I was young, there was a show on PBS, An American Family, that was the same sort of thing. Cameras were there 24 hours a day, and the family fell apart. Strangers were there, the family was performing for television, and there were stresses and strains with the celebrity part of it - there shouldn’t even be a celebrity part. I just think these things are disgusting displays.

Then there was the Jim Carrey movie, The Truman Show, which was about his life being a television show, and he not knowing it. I remember at the time that people said, “Isn’t this a disgusting thing to do to a person?” Well, now, people volunteer for it! So, I have no respect for these parents. I have no respect for any of the people who do this “reality” stuff.

My heart goes out to the kids. Is it humane to children to let their parents exploit them in a television program when their images and intimacies are exposed to everyone for all time when they have no say or control? Is it in the children’s best interests to be USED as entertainment by two parents so self-absorbed that they put money and celebrity in front of their children’s privacy? It’s like putting your children in a circus freak show strip and having a barker yelling: “Come in, come in and see what happens to children when their parents use them for your entertainment… It’s exciting, it’s damaging, but you won’t be able to take your eyes off ‘em. Watch ‘em wiggle. Watch ‘em cry. Watch ‘em squirm. It’s so much fun…bring popcorn and beer and come watch the show.”

To me, there should be a law that you can’t use kids on TV like this. It’s one thing when they’re acting, but it’s another thing when they’re being exploited. I’m surprised that nobody stepped in and said “This is the exploitation of minor children,” although late last week the Pennsylvania Department of Labor said it was looking into whether the show is complying with the state’s child labor law. But I’m not going to get involved. There are other show-biz types who have a habit of doing that. I’m not one of them...

http://www.drlaurabl...on-kate-plus-8/

I always said if you want to destroy a nation just find a way to take both parents out of the house and have the children grow up watching Jerry Springer on after school TV to babysit them instead.

This post has been edited by Rosewin: 25 June 2009 - 10:48 AM

[Splodgenessabounds]

I hate reality shows but.....

Reality TV attracts a lot of freaks, but these freaks are only a very small population of the country. Most people who watch these shows are normal people just looking for entertainment. My sister for instance, she watches Big Brother, The X Factor (Britain's American Idol), Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars etc., but she's a very intelligent woman who's studying to become an accountant and there aren't many people who study harder than her.

In England, only 1 million people are watching series ten of Big Brother out of 60 million. There have always been talent shows on TV like Britain/America's Got Talent and The X Factor/American Idol. Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars is a remake of a 70's British show which was very popular in it's day.

Blaming reality TV for the eventual downfall of society is just covering up the real problems which will cause it's downfall. We're focusing on the wrong area IMO.

Same goes for the celebrity culture, yes some celebrities are bad role models but they usually always have been, but the amount of idiots who actually copy them is very small in number.

This post has been edited by Splodgenessabounds: 25 June 2009 - 04:11 PM

[swtp]

isis-999 on Jun 25 2009, 02:17 AM, said:

Simple. "Reality" shows are cheap. As cheap as showing a blank screen. Sitcoms,Dramas,and especially action and or Sci-Fi cost tons of money to produce,while a Reality Show can break even with zero ratings.

And,if it DOES "hit",it's like printing money for the network.

Exactly what i was going to say. Nearly everyone is feeling the economic pinch, and finding people who will do anything just to be on t.v. is pretty easy, and throw in a bit of cash or prizes then many will show up for a chance at being picked. But just how much reality there is on a reality show is very debatable i think.

[Bear's Quest]

swtp on Jun 25 2009, 08:00 PM, said:

Exactly what i was going to say. Nearly everyone is feeling the economic pinch, and finding people who will do anything just to be on t.v. is pretty easy, and throw in a bit of cash or prizes then many will show up for a chance at being picked. But just how much reality there is on a reality show is very debatable i think.

I agree

I don't like these 'cookie cutter' type reality shows where everyone has a hour-glass figures w/ golden hair or sun-tanned bodybuilder, very unlike reality.

The first season of Survivor was the best, when everyone looked like the average joes.