Sunday, April 27, 2014

Reality's New Low

We are inundated with Reality TV 24-7.  It's all pretty bad, but some of it is worse than others.  In the pool of reality TV, there's a subset of dating reality TV.  I have to admit, I've watched my share of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, and one summer Jason and I even indulged in watching (while talking on the phone) Gay, Straight, or Taken.  These shows are not quality TV by any means, in fact my only defense is that they are like a train wreck and I just couldn't look away.  There has also been a subset of the dating show subset...the deceitful dating show.  Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire? and Joe Millionaire, to name a couple, were created to trick the "contestants".  While part of me feels like it's pretty low to prey on people's feelings for TV, another part knows that's the point of these shows.  No one in their right mind would go on a reality/competition show and even if you're not in your right mind, it's reality TV which means scripted and edited to make for "good" TV.

Anyhow, just being home (while on vacation) during the work week, the amount of trashy TV on and advertised for made my head spin.  Since, when I do watch TV, I watch shows recorded on the DVR I usually fast forward through commercials.  However, I didn't get to the remote control fast enough when this commercial was shown...

Beyond it being such a dumb concept, I want to know how they found 12 people who didn't know the moment they saw this "Prince" that they were being duped?  I mean even if you don't watch the regular news, he's always fodder on the entertainment shows.  Just standing in line at the grocery store once a week would make you knowledgeable enough to know that this person is a Prince Harry double.  Which brings me back to the scripted reality show...such an oxymoron.

8 comments:

  1. I watch 'How I met your mother'. I had to agree with Robin. If you're stupid enough to fall for that, you're a "smoron." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k-TZ_quNNg
    I think we can beat ourselves up. And for no darn good reason too. It's all a delight to visit good museums and galleries, watch plays, and read good and 'worthy' books. Since I got my reader I've filled it with free stuff that I know I'll never read. I have enough on it to keep me on a Desert Island for blinking years. Soon though, I'll start putting dross I can read in a trice and gain vastly more pure fun out of it.
    One thing I will say about the format. I don't think women like an estrogen heavy environment. I think, even with women who get along with women more than men there are a sweet number, 3/4, they can deal with without going slightly nuts. Of course, that may be the idea. Where the 'reality' is naturally distorted on top of the created distortion of the show. A sort of collective Stockholm Syndrome.
    I wonder will the show pay for the therapy needed afterwards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! That was a good episode of HIMYM. I stopped watching it this season as that was the longest wedding in the history of the world (last season got a little too silly as well) and I got tired of it. I heard, though, that viewers were very upset in the finale. Did you watch?
      Oh gawd, can you even imagine the cattiness on the set of those shows. Having twenty emotionally distraught women, going crazy over and fighting for one man..it is probably a turn on to some men. And, yes, I think that's the idea. I'm sure there are a lot who are fine about it, looking for their 15 minutes of fame. I would almost guarantee most of them are aspiring (fill in the blank) in the entertainment industry. "Normal" people wouldn't do that to themselves.
      I almost want to watch this one (not really though) just to see if there's at least one smart one who says, "What the hell?" But I bet that will be part of the editing. Producers will probably make them fall all over themselves pretending they think he's a royal.

      Delete
    2. We're a good season begins you in himym. They are out in Farhampton doping a lot of remembering.

      I'd say emotionally stable women would have a worst time of it. The ones going in nuts, let's face it, haven't that far to travel. But the sheer numbers create its own reality. Women will compete with each other naturally and it doesn't make all that difference if there's a prize at all.

      Delete
    3. Oh shoot, sorry, didn't mean to spoil it for you.
      Yes, that's probably true. It reminds me of this Betsy Johnsn quote...
      http://girlyme.tumblr.com/image/71965223941

      Delete
  2. There's no doubt why I only watch sports and Big Bang Theory on TV!
    It's the, "Who's This Babies Daddy" type crap that makes me the most disgusted!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know right!?! That's why I mainly watch cable. The shows are much smarter than most of the network stuff. However, I watched a Big Bang Theory this weekend, from like a month ago, and it was FUN-NY! That one has been iffy this season, but they still have some good writing.
      Other than the Kings and USC FB, I don't follow sports too much anymore. I just don't have the time. The first round of the playoffs has been a nail biter...but the Kings won tonight tying the series. Yay!!!! :)

      Delete
  3. No worries. I'm in no at that fussed. In fact I'm finding the wind down a bit tedious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ok phew! :) I agree. I have most of this last season still on the dvr, but after the first few episodes I just got tired of it. Real weddings are long enough, who wants to watch one for 6 months!?!?

      Delete