Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Reality TV
There has probably been a lot of ink spilled on the subject (or in the information age a lot of typing-related repetitive stress disorders contracted), but I have to bring up my disdain for Reality TV.
The first issue I have is with it being called Reality TV. It is not real, it is staged. Shows are set with some sort of premise, and they film the unscripted events that occur. If anything it should be called unscripted TV, not reality TV. I remember when Real World debuted. Somehow, I didn't find it realistic that a large group of young attractive men and women with minimum wage-paying jobs would find themselves living together in a humongous condo in Manhattan. Reality TV is where the "cameras are along for the ride" and the action would still happen without the cameras present. Nature documentaries and the show "Cops" are the only two that meet that.
The second issue is that they reflect a lack of creativity in the studios. In order for me to buy into something, I need to know there was some effort put into it. Reality TV no longer requires scripting and writers coming up with great plots. Instead, it explores the cliches of ambitions, relationships, and shock. I need a solid plot line that makes me think, not a show where they throw young men and women together and see how much trouble they get into.
The third issue is that it gives people without any talent a false hope of stardom. People end up sacrificing their humility, their pride, and their reputation just for the sake of being a star. It is quite sad to see folks who've deluded themselves into thinking they have talent (we've all seen the judges eschew the horrible singers on American Idol).
American Idol is probably my least favorite of the ones I've caught a glimpse of. I was pleased that record studios and radio stations made the decision as to which artists was promoted. That way I didn't need to sift through the many wanna-bes to find something decent. However, now we have a show where a record company does this less than appealing work in prime time. In fact, we are merely watching someone do their job. Somehow I don't see an hour of me typing at my desk becoming a prime time hit!
Don't give me contestants vying for a prize and willing to prostrate themselves to TV execs who are merely looking for the winning formula that will give them the best rating. Please give me a show where I can get lost in the plot; follow it's nuances. Give me a show where I care about the characters because they are respectable and noble. Please.
The first issue I have is with it being called Reality TV. It is not real, it is staged. Shows are set with some sort of premise, and they film the unscripted events that occur. If anything it should be called unscripted TV, not reality TV. I remember when Real World debuted. Somehow, I didn't find it realistic that a large group of young attractive men and women with minimum wage-paying jobs would find themselves living together in a humongous condo in Manhattan. Reality TV is where the "cameras are along for the ride" and the action would still happen without the cameras present. Nature documentaries and the show "Cops" are the only two that meet that.
The second issue is that they reflect a lack of creativity in the studios. In order for me to buy into something, I need to know there was some effort put into it. Reality TV no longer requires scripting and writers coming up with great plots. Instead, it explores the cliches of ambitions, relationships, and shock. I need a solid plot line that makes me think, not a show where they throw young men and women together and see how much trouble they get into.
The third issue is that it gives people without any talent a false hope of stardom. People end up sacrificing their humility, their pride, and their reputation just for the sake of being a star. It is quite sad to see folks who've deluded themselves into thinking they have talent (we've all seen the judges eschew the horrible singers on American Idol).
American Idol is probably my least favorite of the ones I've caught a glimpse of. I was pleased that record studios and radio stations made the decision as to which artists was promoted. That way I didn't need to sift through the many wanna-bes to find something decent. However, now we have a show where a record company does this less than appealing work in prime time. In fact, we are merely watching someone do their job. Somehow I don't see an hour of me typing at my desk becoming a prime time hit!
Don't give me contestants vying for a prize and willing to prostrate themselves to TV execs who are merely looking for the winning formula that will give them the best rating. Please give me a show where I can get lost in the plot; follow it's nuances. Give me a show where I care about the characters because they are respectable and noble. Please.
