Reality Shows!

rarisgod · #1 12-17-2008, 01:46 PM

Alright so I know a lot of people are on either side of the reality show fence...but I'm just posting this to get some opinions.

I just watch TV and notice how many reality shows are on and how they're still trying to start new ones with new ideas while still continuing with the old ones. Frankly, I'm sick of hearing about the new season of Survivor, or the new season of American Idol...and really "The Bachelor" just bugs me. And then there's new shows that are all so predictable...Momma's Boys? What is that?!

Really now, can they do anything on Survivor that will surprise anyone anymore? Nothing that would surprise me, anyway. And then there's American Idol. When is the last time anyone made it HUGE after winning that show? I think it's happened 2 or 3 times?(correct me if I'm wrong) And The Bachelor...I don't really know if this is even ethical, I mean the guy is able to be involved with a bunch of different women...is that unethical to anyone else besides me? (not that I wouldn't enjoy it

) But really that just might be because I'm sick of the entire concept of reality shows...

So I'm asking for some opinions. Am I the only one sick of these reality shows? Can't we get some real programming on TV anymore?

tplyons · #2 12-17-2008, 01:52 PM

Depends what you limit to reality TV.

Shows like Jacked and Manhunters on A&E are cool where you shadow an organization.

Shows like Dirty Jobs that do short, fun documentaries on jobs are cool.

Shows like Sex with Mom and Dad and Celebrity Rehab are just awkward and intrusive. I can't imagine that anyone actually watches these shows.

MatticusMania · #3 12-17-2008, 02:17 PM

Hereos is my favorite reality show, but I can't afford to travel to Pinehurst to get me my own powers... plus I wouldn't want to run into that Sylar guy...

bongomania · #4 12-17-2008, 02:29 PM

The deal is that reality shows don't require writers or actors, which saves the networks a lot of money. Not just writing from one episode to the next, but contractual obligation of x number of episodes per season and x number of seasons, as well as conceptual work. It takes a stoner exactly 2.3 seconds to come up with a new viable reality show, whereas it takes a committee of union writers weeks or even months to come up with a viable sitcom or drama. Plus you have no prima donna actors with silly wages and demanding higher pay every season and arguing about where the are placed in the credits.

All you need for a reality show is one semi-disposable host, an anonymous union production crew, and just enough budget to build the sets.

MatticusMania · #5 12-17-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

The deal is that reality shows don't require writers or actors,

This, while seemingly true, is not so uncommon in the reality TV world. Most Reality TV shows DO, in fact, hire writers and actors.

rarisgod · #6 12-17-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

Depends what you limit to reality TV.

Shows like Jacked and Manhunters on A&E are cool where you shadow an organization.

Shows like Dirty Jobs that do short, fun documentaries on jobs are cool.

Shows like Sex with Mom and Dad and Celebrity Rehab are just awkward and intrusive. I can't imagine that anyone actually watches these shows.

Ah well yes, I was definitely referring to the last shows you described. The others I don't know if I'd really call them reality shows, though technically they are...see when I say "reality shows" I usually am referring to the last ones you described.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Hereos is my favorite reality show, but I can't afford to travel to Pinehurst to get me my own powers... plus I wouldn't want to run into that Sylar guy...

I've never seen Heroes, but I wasn't aware it was a reality show...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

The deal is that reality shows don't require writers or actors, which saves the networks a lot of money. Not just writing from one episode to the next, but contractual obligation of x number of episodes per season and x number of seasons, as well as conceptual work. It takes a stoner exactly 2.3 seconds to come up with a new viable reality show, whereas it takes a committee of union writers weeks or even months to come up with a viable sitcom or drama. Plus you have no prima donna actors with silly wages and demanding higher pay every season and arguing about where the are placed in the credits.

All you need for a reality show is one semi-disposable host, an anonymous union production crew, and just enough budget to build the sets.

This is true, I suppose this is the reason that there's so many just springing up left and rigth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

This, while seemingly true, is not so uncommon in the reality TV world. Most Reality TV shows DO, in fact, hire writers and actors.

So I've never understood, is this true? Like are shows like Survivor scripted? I mean I've always accused them of being so, but it's always been in spite rather than actually knowing it to be true...

MatticusMania · #7 12-17-2008, 02:48 PM

lol, I was kidding, Heroes isnt a reality show. But it is some damned good television.

But yes, reality shows are often scripted, not always of course, and often employ smalltime, no named actors trying to break into TV. You can look in the los angeles Talent section and find a lot of people trying to flesh out their reality TV scripts/pilots and whatnot. And with all the challenges and such, that stuff needs to be written out, not actual dialog and such, but the behind the scenes dramtics abd scripted fights between person A and B. Its a rating crunch, they need to put out what draws the audience in, and screenwriters are usually involved in this process.

rarisgod · #8 12-17-2008, 02:51 PM

Wow sometimes it disgusts me what they'll do for ratings. I mean if you're going to make a written show, please identify it as such.

MatticusMania · #9 12-17-2008, 02:55 PM

Yeah, if you'll notice, the TVs don't use the term Reality TV very much anymore.

They know people are sick of it, and they also know in order to keep people watching it at some point they need a writer to step in and organize things.

From what I heard, this year American Idol is taking a format change, and will be played out a little more like the show Big Brother, with all the backstage drama, because they know people have had enough watching crappy auditions and then tuning out until the last episode. Reality TV is anything but real.

stratovani · #10 12-17-2008, 02:55 PM

Reality shows have absolutely nothing to do with reality. They're game shows, pure and simple, no different from Wheel Of Fortune or The Price Is Right. As far as I'm concerned the sooner they stop calling them "reality" shows the better. Even the high and mighty American Idol is just a game show for aspiring singers.

MakiSupaStar · #11 12-17-2008, 03:14 PM

Being that I'm on a reality show, I can say that not all reality shows are equal. Some are simply non-union actors with scripted drama. While shows like mine "Ocean Force," "Deadliest Catch", and other shows are just tracking real life. I tend to like those shows. I don't tend to like the first category of shows.

Here's a show that hasn't come out yet, but is destined to fail. Semi-homo-erotic man drama. Yay! I sure won't be watching.

http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/bromance...ml?kw=bromance

MatticusMania · #12 12-17-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Being that I'm on a reality show, I can say that not all reality shows are equal. Some are simply non-union actors with scripted drama. While shows like mine "Ocean Force," "Deadliest Catch", and other shows are just tracking real life. I tend to like those shows. I don't tend to like the first category of shows.

This is an important distinction to make. Usually, when the show in question involves someone winning something at the end, its a huge gimmicky, craptastic, ratings fest.

Shows ABOUT real life, like Maki's and "Intervention" or even the original reality tv show "Cops" are not the same.

DudeistMonk · #13 12-17-2008, 03:27 PM

I knew a guy (acquaintance) who was on room raiders...A bunch of people watched the episode with him and he would stop every 30 seconds and go "They made me say that" "Yeah that wasn't really in my room" "I had to say that 15 times..."

MatticusMania · #14 12-17-2008, 03:29 PM

I was recently contacted by MTV to appear on MTV's True Life, I'm addicted to porn. But I felt it really wouldn't be worth my time.

doktorfeelgood · #15 12-17-2008, 03:45 PM

The only "reality" show I watch, and I'm not so sure it would actually qualify as an actual reality show, is Pinks All Out on Speedchannel. It's a show about drag racing and it's excellent, IMHO. Other than that you'd have to put a gun to my head to make me watch any of that other dribble...
Although I have watched and liked "Deadliest Catch" but to me that's not a reality show. I would call that show something more like a documentary. )-(

warwick.hoy · #16 12-17-2008, 03:59 PM

Orrrrrr;....you could just turn the TV off.

Spector_Ray · #17 12-17-2008, 04:19 PM

"Let's try to "survive" for 30 days in a place where people already live." Daniel Tosh, verbatim.

rarisgod · #18 12-17-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

Orrrrrr;....you could just turn the TV off.

Well yes, all of the reality shows only result in me playing bass more, but that's not the point I'm making! Just because we CAN ignore it doesn't mean it's not getting ridiculous.

As for that American Idol format change? I can only laugh that they have now FINALLY realized that everyone is tired of the same thing every season. The same auditions, the same responses from the judges, the same thing in and out. Mind you, I think they should get rid of the show altogether, never mind the format change.

Vic Winters · #19 12-17-2008, 09:24 PM

of course they're scripted. Do you have any idea how much they'd have to film of people's everyday lives to get something with half as much drama or shock for it be interesting to viewers? They're also notorious for editing things so something seems more serious than it really is.

doctorjazz · #20 12-17-2008, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I was recently contacted by MTV to appear on MTV's True Life, I'm addicted to porn. But I felt it really wouldn't be worth my time.

Let's be honest: You wouldn't come out from in front of the computer long enough to do the show.

I hate stuff like Big Brother, American Idol, Survivor, etc., but I do enjoy "real" reality TV like Deadliest Catch. I never go out of my way to watch it, but if it's on and I'm bored, sure.