Reality TV killing intelligence!!!

Pauliesonne · 10th March 2006, 10:22 AM

Ok, here is what I think;

Reality TV is dumbing down people, who are a majority, by letting them not think for themselves.

So in turn, they believe whatever nonsense they're told.

People need to watch more BBC4!!!!

brodski · 10th March 2006, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Pauliesonne

Ok, here is what I think;

Reality TV is dumbing the people, who are a majority, by letting people not think for themselves.

So in turn, they believe whatever nonsense they're told.

have you got cause and effect confused there?
I'm not sure myself, but I doubt that it's part of a conspiracy, as your post seems to imply.

Pauliesonne · 10th March 2006, 10:25 AM

I did'nt mean to imply a conspiracy whatsoever.

Nyarlathotep · 10th March 2006, 10:26 AM

We don't get BBC4 in Nevada. So I am in deep trouble then.

brodski · 10th March 2006, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Pauliesonne

I did'nt mean to imply a conspiracy whatsoever.

fair enough, that's just the way I read it.
But the question is there, does inane TV make people stupid, or appeal to those that are allready stupid?

edited for spelling

Pauliesonne · 10th March 2006, 10:37 AM

innae?

brodski · 10th March 2006, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Nyarlathotep

We don't get BBC4 in Nevada. So I am in deep trouble then.

well, you can still listen to BBC radio 4.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/index.shtml?logo

I prefer it to BBC 4 anyway.

Pauliesonne · 10th March 2006, 10:38 AM

Not me.

I've never been one for the radio.

I don't know why...

I'm sure there is some good stuff.

brodski · 10th March 2006, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by Pauliesonne

innae?

sorry, I mean inane.

Ossai · 10th March 2006, 10:43 AM

Pauliesonne

Quote:

Ok, here is what I think;

Reality TV is dumbing down people, who are a majority, by letting them not think for themselves.

So in turn, they believe whatever nonsense they're told.

And you thought the TV shows were bad. You haven’t seen anything yet.

World’s First Ever Reality TV Convention Coming To Nashville, Tennessee

The sad part is I live in Nashville.

Ossai

Serenity · 10th March 2006, 10:52 AM

Good thread!
I think the format has been getting dumbed down to the point where the reality is so contrived. It doesn’t have to be devoid of intelligence or be an intelligence killer. Maybe the problem is the market being flooded with these type shows and the quality is suffering as a result. I can think of some pretty good reality TV shows - Survivorman , World's Most Dangerous Catch, Cops, Rough Science (BBC), come to mind. Reality TV done right can be very enlightening.

Serenity · 10th March 2006, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Ossai

Pauliesonne

And you thought the TV shows were bad. You haven’t seen anything yet.

World’s First Ever Reality TV Convention Coming To Nashville, Tennessee

The sad part is I live in Nashville.

Ossai

That's too funny! An underclass of Reality TV stars seeking limelight has been created.

Marker · 10th March 2006, 11:54 AM

My issue is with the fact that we call it "Reality" TV.

Reality it is not.

If the peole in these shows were typical of "real" people then that would mean the world would be populated by spoilt, insecure, attention-seeking celebrity wannabe's with personality disorders.

As far as I know its only America thats like that...

Nyarlathotep · 10th March 2006, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Marker

My issue is with the fact that we call it "Reality" TV.

Reality it is not.

If the peole in these shows were typical of "real" people then that would mean the world would be populated by spoilt, insecure, attention-seeking celebrity wannabe's with personality disorders.

As far as I know its only America thats like that...

Some people, apparently, will take any opportunity to bash Americans.

And people on another thread wonder where I get the idea that I would be treated like dirt if I ever travelled outside of the US. sheesh.

Marker · 10th March 2006, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Nyarlathotep

Some people, apparently, will take any opportunity to bash Americans.

Sorry Nyarlathotep, it was meant to be a friendly tease. I could never say anything against someone who quotes Marty Feldman (genius) in his sig.

Nyarlathotep · 10th March 2006, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Marker

Sorry Nyarlathotep, it was meant to be a friendly tease. I could never say anything against someone who quotes Marty Feldman (genius) in his sig.

In which case, sorry if I over reacted.

Zbu · 10th March 2006, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Marker

My issue is with the fact that we call it "Reality" TV.

Reality it is not.

If the peole in these shows were typical of "real" people then that would mean the world would be populated by spoilt, insecure, attention-seeking celebrity wannabe's with personality disorders.

As far as I know its only America thats like that...

I think the only thing Reality TV has shown us conclusively is that there are many people out there who believe that Fame is something they would strip naked, cover themselves in live cockroaches, run into public, and beat up an old lady with a cricket bat for. Yes, there are these kinds of idiots out there, but then again they have probably always been with us.

Serenity · 10th March 2006, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by Marker

My issue is with the fact that we call it "Reality" TV.

Reality it is not.

If the peole in these shows were typical of "real" people then that would mean the world would be populated by spoilt, insecure, attention-seeking celebrity wannabe's with personality disorders.

As far as I know its only America thats like that...

Ultimately it’s the viewer ship that influences the industry’s direction by voting with their eyes. These reality stars learn from their predecessors that in order to “make it” and be offered the quality, well-paying roles, you must first be recognized; stand out – sensationalism and over-dramatizing serve well here. Today’s reality actors must be privy to this and end up becoming caricatures of themselves in hopes their so-called "reality" endeavors become a springboard for future stardom or riches. There's lots of blame to go around, how its distributed, I'm not sure.

Beleth · 10th March 2006, 07:04 PM

The first word in the subject of this thread is unnecessary.

Crazytree · 10th March 2006, 07:15 PM

this is more of a chicken-egg scenario. I think people have gotten pretty dumbed-down and we're just starting to figure it out.

Zep · 11th March 2006, 03:55 AM

I have to go with the comment above: What the heck has the adjective "reality" got to do with this type of TV show? Nothing. Not a goddam thing.

As far as I can tell, no-one on Earth BUT these shows are involved in such stupid, utterly contrived, poorly realised and UNreal games, for the TV viewing public. They are totally on their own with this, their own redefinition of the word "reality".

If it were actually "reality", surely a reasonable fraction of the human population would be behaving like they do. Perhaps somewhere in the dim, dank depths of the Amazon there's a still-to-be-discovered tribe who vote each other off the island each week at Tribal Council to the sound of synthesised background music and noises of cickets. If so, I would expect it to appear first on National Geographic channel, with considerable scientific fanfare (and frank surprise). But I haven't ever seen it anywhere, either live or reported - have you?

No.

If I were running the game, I'd make just one rule change: Allow the viewers to vote off as many contenstants as they like each week. That way, they would become two-show specials only. That's enough, I think, don't you?

ned flandas · 11th March 2006, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by Pauliesonne

Ok, here is what I think;

Reality TV is dumbing down people, who are a majority, by letting them not think for themselves.

If so many people didnt watch it, then there's no way they could put it on year after year.

So the veiwers are to blame too.

Complexity · 11th March 2006, 07:12 AM

Turn off the damned TV and read a good book.

Mephisto · 11th March 2006, 07:58 AM

I'm wondering if Reality TV is responsible for "dumbing down" people or if it's just bringing to light how dumb people really are. Reality TV is a fairly new thing, but stupid people have been around for ages.

Meadmaker · 11th March 2006, 01:36 PM

Is reality TV even all that new? Wasn't there a show in the '50s or '60s called "This is Your Life"? That was before my time, but I think it basically had an ordinary person on stage, and their lives would be discussed for the TV audience, with old photos, or a sudden, surprise appearance by their first grade teacher. That seems like reality TV.

I must confess to liking some reality TV. "Trading Spaces" is a sort of reality TV, and I liked it for a while, although I never would have watched it if my wife didn't turn it on. I saw a few episodes of the first "Survivor", and found it interesting. I saw the first two episodes of this season's "Amazing Race", and I like it. I probably wouldn't watch it if it weren't on at a time when I'm doing a stationary bike exercise routine, but I don't think it is quite insulting to my intelligence.

Ausmerican · 11th March 2006, 05:30 PM

There is every bit as much reality in the majority of reality TV shows as there is in pro wrestling.

scimystic · 11th March 2006, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by Pauliesonne

Ok, here is what I think;

Reality TV is dumbing down people, who are a majority, by letting them not think for themselves.

So in turn, they believe whatever nonsense they're told.

People need to watch more BBC4!!!!

All TV kills intelligence. I chucked mine out when Robin Day* died (20 years ago?) and haven't missed it a bit.

*The last political interviewer to combine the intellectual honesty and accumen needed to drag BSing politicians back - time and again - to their little piles of BS, until they'd either be forced to answer the question or admit to being the shallow spin mongers that most of them were and still are.

Serenity · 11th March 2006, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by Meadmaker

Is reality TV even all that new? Wasn't there a show in the '50s or '60s called "This is Your Life"? That was before my time, but I think it basically had an ordinary person on stage, and their lives would be discussed for the TV audience, with old photos, or a sudden, surprise appearance by their first grade teacher. That seems like reality TV.

Candid Camera immediately comes to mind also. I think the difference between then and now, is the number of shows. The Reality TV marketplace has exploded over the past years. It might have started in 1992 when the original Real World TV series aired.

Quote:

I must confess to liking some reality TV. "Trading Spaces" is a sort of reality TV, and I liked it for a while, although I never would have watched it if my wife didn't turn it on. I saw a few episodes of the first "Survivor", and found it interesting. I saw the first two episodes of this season's "Amazing Race", and I like it. I probably wouldn't watch it if it weren't on at a time when I'm doing a stationary bike exercise routine, but I don't think it is quite insulting to my intelligence.

I'm not embarrassed watching it either. There's some good shows out there mixed in with all the 2nd rate stuff. Reality TV will always be with us in one form or another. I don't buy into the turn your TV off and read a book crowd unless your not reading any books. TV will always have its place, and its power to inform (or disinform) instantaneously is unmatched and will only increase. I love the fact that movies can be a shared cinematic bonding experience. It's difficult to get that same effect with books. I realize the pros and cons of each and will continue to want both in my life. We should be thinking about how to influence quality in TV and balance viewing time with other extra curricular activities, because it's not going away.

Serenity · 11th March 2006, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by scimystic

All TV kills intelligence. I chucked mine out when Robin Day* died (20 years ago?) and haven't missed it a bit.

*The last political interviewer to combine the intellectual honesty and accumen needed to drag BSing politicians back - time and again - to their little piles of BS, until they'd either be forced to answer the question or admit to being the shallow spin mongers that most of them were and still are.

That's a false statement. You must not be watching enough TV.

alfaniner · 11th March 2006, 07:59 PM

The only "reality" show I was ever very interested in (other than a certain early season of The Real World) was the Eco-Challenge. Real athlete teams competing under some of the worst conditions imaginable to reach the goal first. And a rather subdued finish, at that.

Mark Burnett was the producer, then Survivor killed in the ratings, and I haven't seen Eco-Challenge since.

slingblade · 11th March 2006, 08:49 PM

I like "The Biggest Loser" in America ( weight-loss show) because the entrants do lose weight and get healthier. It's cool to watch them shrink each week. But of course it is also manipulative and flawed. Still, good show.

UserGoogol · 12th March 2006, 02:42 AM

Originally Posted by Serenity

Reality TV done right can be very enlightening.

Yes, but when "done right," a Reality TV show is really nothing more than a gonzo documentary. Or possibly a game show.

Serenity · 12th March 2006, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by UserGoogol

Yes, but when "done right," a Reality TV show is really nothing more than a gonzo documentary. Or possibly a game show.

I think the game show is in its own special category so I’ll set it aside. I think it’s unwarranted to compare a Reality TV show to a documentary. Each category offers a different slice of pie, a unique perspective, or slant. To consider it a gonzo documentary would be to misconstrue its value by saying it’s trying to be something it’s not. It would be just as unwise to call a documentary a gonzo Reality TV show.

If I had watched a documentary on fishing for King Crab in the Bering Sea, I would likely get a clinical experience… watching someone’s “narrative” version of reality with lots of facts, interviews and footage. A Reality TV show on the same topic would add another layer or (human) dimension to the story; putting into context what the documentary, by its very nature, has trouble delivering. Also, someone interested in the social sciences… focused more on the element of human interaction… might find Reality TV more interesting and informative than the documentary.

Ausmerican · 12th March 2006, 08:42 PM

The only reality based show I can ever bring myself to watch is 'Monster House.' More reality than most and really gives you some cool ideas to try with your house. Not that the wife always agrees.

UserGoogol · 12th March 2006, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by Serenity

I think the game show is in its own special category so I’ll set it aside. I think it’s unwarranted to compare a Reality TV show to a documentary. Each category offers a different slice of pie, a unique perspective, or slant. To consider it a gonzo documentary would be to misconstrue its value by saying it’s trying to be something it’s not. It would be just as unwise to call a documentary a gonzo Reality TV show.

What I meant was that a "good reality show" is one where you are documenting the lives of your characters in whatever situation you set up for them. To pick somewhat of an abitrary example, The Apprentice was basically just a documentary about a bunch of people competing on TV show to get a job working for Donald Trump, in that it showed their lives.

A documentary is a show which attempts to show something that is actually hapening, and a reality show is "actually happening," therefore a reality show is a documentary, although a very different style from a "normal" documentary. A normal documentary documents something out there, a reality show documents itself. I suppose gonzo was the wrong word to convey that, though.

10th March 2006, 10:22 AM	#1
Pauliesonne Bi Gi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: A small town in Northern Ireland called Limavady. Posts: 2,691	Reality TV killing intelligence!!! Ok, here is what I think; Reality TV is dumbing down people, who are a majority, by letting them not think for themselves. So in turn, they believe whatever nonsense they're told. People need to watch more BBC4!!!!

10th March 2006, 10:24 AM	#2
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,073	Originally Posted by Pauliesonne Ok, here is what I think; Reality TV is dumbing the people, who are a majority, by letting people not think for themselves. So in turn, they believe whatever nonsense they're told. have you got cause and effect confused there? I'm not sure myself, but I doubt that it's part of a conspiracy, as your post seems to imply.
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,073

10th March 2006, 10:26 AM	#4
Nyarlathotep Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 7,514	We don't get BBC4 in Nevada. So I am in deep trouble then.
	__________________ Why stay sane in a sick world?

10th March 2006, 10:35 AM	#5
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,073	Originally Posted by Pauliesonne I did'nt mean to imply a conspiracy whatsoever. fair enough, that's just the way I read it. But the question is there, does inane TV make people stupid, or appeal to those that are allready stupid? edited for spelling
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,073	Last edited by brodski; 10th March 2006 at 10:39 AM.

10th March 2006, 10:37 AM	#7
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,073	Originally Posted by Nyarlathotep We don't get BBC4 in Nevada. So I am in deep trouble then. well, you can still listen to BBC radio 4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/index.shtml?logo I prefer it to BBC 4 anyway.
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,073

10th March 2006, 10:25 AM	#3
Pauliesonne Bi Gi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: A small town in Northern Ireland called Limavady. Posts: 2,691	I did'nt mean to imply a conspiracy whatsoever.

10th March 2006, 10:38 AM	#8
Pauliesonne Bi Gi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: A small town in Northern Ireland called Limavady. Posts: 2,691	Not me. I've never been one for the radio. I don't know why... I'm sure there is some good stuff.

10th March 2006, 10:38 AM	#9
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,073	Originally Posted by Pauliesonne innae? sorry, I mean inane.
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,073

10th March 2006, 10:43 AM	#10
Ossai Graduate Poster Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,459	Pauliesonne Quote: Ok, here is what I think; Reality TV is dumbing down people, who are a majority, by letting them not think for themselves. So in turn, they believe whatever nonsense they're told. And you thought the TV shows were bad. You haven’t seen anything yet. World’s First Ever Reality TV Convention Coming To Nashville, Tennessee The sad part is I live in Nashville. Ossai
Ossai Graduate Poster Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,459	__________________ The other moral to be drawn from the story [of Job] is that if you lead a good virtuous life, God will urge Satan to kill your family for a bet. Perhaps you should try to sin a little now and then, just to keep your children safe. - Dr Adequate www.stopsylvia.com

10th March 2006, 10:52 AM	#11
Serenity Serenity Now! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: CT Central Lowlands Posts: 862	Good thread! I think the format has been getting dumbed down to the point where the reality is so contrived. It doesn’t have to be devoid of intelligence or be an intelligence killer. Maybe the problem is the market being flooded with these type shows and the quality is suffering as a result. I can think of some pretty good reality TV shows - Survivorman , World's Most Dangerous Catch, Cops, Rough Science (BBC), come to mind. Reality TV done right can be very enlightening.

10th March 2006, 10:56 AM	#12
Serenity Serenity Now! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: CT Central Lowlands Posts: 862	Originally Posted by Ossai Pauliesonne And you thought the TV shows were bad. You haven’t seen anything yet. World’s First Ever Reality TV Convention Coming To Nashville, Tennessee The sad part is I live in Nashville. Ossai That's too funny! An underclass of Reality TV stars seeking limelight has been created.

10th March 2006, 11:54 AM	#13
Marker Lapidating the Pataphysical Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tuican Horn, Middlesaxan Posts: 115	My issue is with the fact that we call it "Reality" TV. Reality it is not. If the peole in these shows were typical of "real" people then that would mean the world would be populated by spoilt, insecure, attention-seeking celebrity wannabe's with personality disorders. As far as I know its only America thats like that...
	__________________ I've just been playing against the computer. It beat me at chess but came off badly in the kick-boxing.

10th March 2006, 12:15 PM	#14
Nyarlathotep Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 7,514	Originally Posted by Marker My issue is with the fact that we call it "Reality" TV. Reality it is not. If the peole in these shows were typical of "real" people then that would mean the world would be populated by spoilt, insecure, attention-seeking celebrity wannabe's with personality disorders. As far as I know its only America thats like that... Some people, apparently, will take any opportunity to bash Americans. And people on another thread wonder where I get the idea that I would be treated like dirt if I ever travelled outside of the US. sheesh.
	__________________ Why stay sane in a sick world?

10th March 2006, 12:27 PM	#15
Marker Lapidating the Pataphysical Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tuican Horn, Middlesaxan Posts: 115	Originally Posted by Nyarlathotep Some people, apparently, will take any opportunity to bash Americans. Sorry Nyarlathotep, it was meant to be a friendly tease. I could never say anything against someone who quotes Marty Feldman (genius) in his sig.
	__________________ I've just been playing against the computer. It beat me at chess but came off badly in the kick-boxing.

10th March 2006, 12:31 PM	#16
Nyarlathotep Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 7,514	Originally Posted by Marker Sorry Nyarlathotep, it was meant to be a friendly tease. I could never say anything against someone who quotes Marty Feldman (genius) in his sig. In which case, sorry if I over reacted.
	__________________ Why stay sane in a sick world?

10th March 2006, 12:37 PM	#17
Zbu Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 466	Originally Posted by Marker My issue is with the fact that we call it "Reality" TV. Reality it is not. If the peole in these shows were typical of "real" people then that would mean the world would be populated by spoilt, insecure, attention-seeking celebrity wannabe's with personality disorders. As far as I know its only America thats like that... I think the only thing Reality TV has shown us conclusively is that there are many people out there who believe that Fame is something they would strip naked, cover themselves in live cockroaches, run into public, and beat up an old lady with a cricket bat for. Yes, there are these kinds of idiots out there, but then again they have probably always been with us.

10th March 2006, 01:38 PM	#18
Serenity Serenity Now! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: CT Central Lowlands Posts: 862	Originally Posted by Marker My issue is with the fact that we call it "Reality" TV. Reality it is not. If the peole in these shows were typical of "real" people then that would mean the world would be populated by spoilt, insecure, attention-seeking celebrity wannabe's with personality disorders. As far as I know its only America thats like that... Ultimately it’s the viewer ship that influences the industry’s direction by voting with their eyes. These reality stars learn from their predecessors that in order to “make it” and be offered the quality, well-paying roles, you must first be recognized; stand out – sensationalism and over-dramatizing serve well here. Today’s reality actors must be privy to this and end up becoming caricatures of themselves in hopes their so-called "reality" endeavors become a springboard for future stardom or riches. There's lots of blame to go around, how its distributed, I'm not sure.

10th March 2006, 07:04 PM	#19
Beleth FAQ Creator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Not in a cave Posts: 4,134	The first word in the subject of this thread is unnecessary.
	__________________ Administrator and Head Moderator, The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe Forum Big Fan, Stop Sylvia Browne I will come back only after the words "Hi, Nyarl!" are returned to the post http://forums.randi.org/showpost.php...5&postcount=14 .

10th March 2006, 07:15 PM	#20
Crazytree Thinker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 148	this is more of a chicken-egg scenario. I think people have gotten pretty dumbed-down and we're just starting to figure it out.

11th March 2006, 03:55 AM	#21
Zep Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26,985	I have to go with the comment above: What the heck has the adjective "reality" got to do with this type of TV show? Nothing. Not a goddam thing. As far as I can tell, no-one on Earth BUT these shows are involved in such stupid, utterly contrived, poorly realised and UNreal games, for the TV viewing public. They are totally on their own with this, their own redefinition of the word "reality". If it were actually "reality", surely a reasonable fraction of the human population would be behaving like they do. Perhaps somewhere in the dim, dank depths of the Amazon there's a still-to-be-discovered tribe who vote each other off the island each week at Tribal Council to the sound of synthesised background music and noises of cickets. If so, I would expect it to appear first on National Geographic channel, with considerable scientific fanfare (and frank surprise). But I haven't ever seen it anywhere, either live or reported - have you? No. If I were running the game, I'd make just one rule change: Allow the viewers to vote off as many contenstants as they like each week. That way, they would become two-show specials only. That's enough, I think, don't you?
Zep Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26,985

11th March 2006, 07:03 AM	#22
ned flandas Thinker Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 215	Originally Posted by Pauliesonne Ok, here is what I think; Reality TV is dumbing down people, who are a majority, by letting them not think for themselves. If so many people didnt watch it, then there's no way they could put it on year after year. So the veiwers are to blame too.
ned flandas Thinker Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 215

11th March 2006, 07:12 AM	#23
Complexity The Woo Whisperer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Minnesota, USA Posts: 9,263	Turn off the damned TV and read a good book.
	__________________ "It is a great nuisance that knowledge can only be acquired by hard work." - W. Somerset Maugham "Thought is subversive and revolutionary, destructive and terrible; thought is merciless to privilege, established intuititions, and comfortable habit. Thought looks into the pit of hell and is not afraid. Thought is great and swift and free, the light of the world, and the chief glory of man." - Bertrand Russell

11th March 2006, 07:58 AM	#24
Mephisto Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: in a state of disbelief Posts: 6,065	I wonder I'm wondering if Reality TV is responsible for "dumbing down" people or if it's just bringing to light how dumb people really are. Reality TV is a fairly new thing, but stupid people have been around for ages.
	__________________ "What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?" Mahatma Gandhi

11th March 2006, 01:36 PM	#25
Meadmaker Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Detroit suburbs Posts: 11,435	Is reality TV even all that new? Wasn't there a show in the '50s or '60s called "This is Your Life"? That was before my time, but I think it basically had an ordinary person on stage, and their lives would be discussed for the TV audience, with old photos, or a sudden, surprise appearance by their first grade teacher. That seems like reality TV. I must confess to liking some reality TV. "Trading Spaces" is a sort of reality TV, and I liked it for a while, although I never would have watched it if my wife didn't turn it on. I saw a few episodes of the first "Survivor", and found it interesting. I saw the first two episodes of this season's "Amazing Race", and I like it. I probably wouldn't watch it if it weren't on at a time when I'm doing a stationary bike exercise routine, but I don't think it is quite insulting to my intelligence.
	__________________ Dave "War is Peace. Freedom is slavery. Particles are waves."

11th March 2006, 05:30 PM	#26
Ausmerican Illuminator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,381	There is every bit as much reality in the majority of reality TV shows as there is in pro wrestling.
Ausmerican Illuminator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,381

11th March 2006, 06:39 PM	#27
scimystic Scholar Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 119	Originally Posted by Pauliesonne Ok, here is what I think; Reality TV is dumbing down people, who are a majority, by letting them not think for themselves. So in turn, they believe whatever nonsense they're told. People need to watch more BBC4!!!! All TV kills intelligence. I chucked mine out when Robin Day* died (20 years ago?) and haven't missed it a bit. *The last political interviewer to combine the intellectual honesty and accumen needed to drag BSing politicians back - time and again - to their little piles of BS, until they'd either be forced to answer the question or admit to being the shallow spin mongers that most of them were and still are.
scimystic Scholar Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 119

11th March 2006, 06:44 PM	#28
Serenity Serenity Now! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: CT Central Lowlands Posts: 862	Originally Posted by Meadmaker Is reality TV even all that new? Wasn't there a show in the '50s or '60s called "This is Your Life"? That was before my time, but I think it basically had an ordinary person on stage, and their lives would be discussed for the TV audience, with old photos, or a sudden, surprise appearance by their first grade teacher. That seems like reality TV. Candid Camera immediately comes to mind also. I think the difference between then and now, is the number of shows. The Reality TV marketplace has exploded over the past years. It might have started in 1992 when the original Real World TV series aired. Quote: I must confess to liking some reality TV. "Trading Spaces" is a sort of reality TV, and I liked it for a while, although I never would have watched it if my wife didn't turn it on. I saw a few episodes of the first "Survivor", and found it interesting. I saw the first two episodes of this season's "Amazing Race", and I like it. I probably wouldn't watch it if it weren't on at a time when I'm doing a stationary bike exercise routine, but I don't think it is quite insulting to my intelligence. I'm not embarrassed watching it either. There's some good shows out there mixed in with all the 2nd rate stuff. Reality TV will always be with us in one form or another. I don't buy into the turn your TV off and read a book crowd unless your not reading any books. TV will always have its place, and its power to inform (or disinform) instantaneously is unmatched and will only increase. I love the fact that movies can be a shared cinematic bonding experience. It's difficult to get that same effect with books. I realize the pros and cons of each and will continue to want both in my life. We should be thinking about how to influence quality in TV and balance viewing time with other extra curricular activities, because it's not going away.

11th March 2006, 06:48 PM	#29
Serenity Serenity Now! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: CT Central Lowlands Posts: 862	Originally Posted by scimystic All TV kills intelligence. I chucked mine out when Robin Day* died (20 years ago?) and haven't missed it a bit. *The last political interviewer to combine the intellectual honesty and accumen needed to drag BSing politicians back - time and again - to their little piles of BS, until they'd either be forced to answer the question or admit to being the shallow spin mongers that most of them were and still are. That's a false statement. You must not be watching enough TV.

11th March 2006, 07:59 PM	#30
alfaniner Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sorth Dakonsin Posts: 11,380	The only "reality" show I was ever very interested in (other than a certain early season of The Real World) was the Eco-Challenge. Real athlete teams competing under some of the worst conditions imaginable to reach the goal first. And a rather subdued finish, at that. Mark Burnett was the producer, then Survivor killed in the ratings, and I haven't seen Eco-Challenge since.
	__________________ Science doesn't lie.

11th March 2006, 08:49 PM	#31
slingblade Guest Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 23,642	I like "The Biggest Loser" in America ( weight-loss show) because the entrants do lose weight and get healthier. It's cool to watch them shrink each week. But of course it is also manipulative and flawed. Still, good show.
slingblade Guest Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 23,642

12th March 2006, 02:42 AM	#32
UserGoogol Master Poster Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2,074	Originally Posted by Serenity Reality TV done right can be very enlightening. Yes, but when "done right," a Reality TV show is really nothing more than a gonzo documentary. Or possibly a game show.
	__________________ Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. -- Hanlon's Razor

12th March 2006, 12:17 PM	#33
Serenity Serenity Now! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: CT Central Lowlands Posts: 862	Originally Posted by UserGoogol Yes, but when "done right," a Reality TV show is really nothing more than a gonzo documentary. Or possibly a game show. I think the game show is in its own special category so I’ll set it aside. I think it’s unwarranted to compare a Reality TV show to a documentary. Each category offers a different slice of pie, a unique perspective, or slant. To consider it a gonzo documentary would be to misconstrue its value by saying it’s trying to be something it’s not. It would be just as unwise to call a documentary a gonzo Reality TV show. If I had watched a documentary on fishing for King Crab in the Bering Sea, I would likely get a clinical experience… watching someone’s “narrative” version of reality with lots of facts, interviews and footage. A Reality TV show on the same topic would add another layer or (human) dimension to the story; putting into context what the documentary, by its very nature, has trouble delivering. Also, someone interested in the social sciences… focused more on the element of human interaction… might find Reality TV more interesting and informative than the documentary.

12th March 2006, 08:42 PM	#34
Ausmerican Illuminator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,381	The only reality based show I can ever bring myself to watch is 'Monster House.' More reality than most and really gives you some cool ideas to try with your house. Not that the wife always agrees.
Ausmerican Illuminator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,381

12th March 2006, 09:38 PM	#35
UserGoogol Master Poster Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2,074	Originally Posted by Serenity I think the game show is in its own special category so I’ll set it aside. I think it’s unwarranted to compare a Reality TV show to a documentary. Each category offers a different slice of pie, a unique perspective, or slant. To consider it a gonzo documentary would be to misconstrue its value by saying it’s trying to be something it’s not. It would be just as unwise to call a documentary a gonzo Reality TV show. What I meant was that a "good reality show" is one where you are documenting the lives of your characters in whatever situation you set up for them. To pick somewhat of an abitrary example, The Apprentice was basically just a documentary about a bunch of people competing on TV show to get a job working for Donald Trump, in that it showed their lives. A documentary is a show which attempts to show something that is actually hapening, and a reality show is "actually happening," therefore a reality show is a documentary, although a very different style from a "normal" documentary. A normal documentary documents something out there, a reality show documents itself. I suppose gonzo was the wrong word to convey that, though.
	__________________ Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. -- Hanlon's Razor