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Author Topic: American Idol, or why reality TV makes me sick to my gas bladder!  (Read 1274 times)
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uruseiranma

Crustacean
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« on: 02-12-2003 04:19 »

I don't know about you all, but the one thing I can't stand are the 'reality' shows, which take reality and bend them to the will of the producers and such.

  'The Real World' would never have 7 people living in a giant luxuriously furnished mansion(Leela said it best when they were watching the Real World on the Sun).

  American Idol is just plain stupid.  Personally, I could care less on these people's singing abilities, but the only thingI can say I enjoy hearing people discuss is the guy who disses almost everyone.  He's not doing it to be mean (well, maybe), but he's trying to find the best of the best.  He's like a portfolio instructor, trying to weed out the bad stuff and leave you with good stuff to show the professionals.

  Joe Millionaire.  prissy girls wanting to get rich.  Gonna have a disappointed girl at the end, she'll leave him in 3 months, nuff said.

  Reality TV has made me stop watching TV altogether.  It's only used for video games and VHS/DVD playing.  The only thing I find myself watching are old reruns from my childhood (Simpsons, Frasier, M*A*S*H*, and other classics).  and if I could get Cartoon Network, I'd watch Futurama. 
Tammie88

Delivery Boy
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« Reply #1 on: 02-12-2003 05:37 »

I must admit I used to watch Big Brother when it first came out but now the whole reality show genre has been milked to death
sheep555

Liquid Emperor
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« Reply #2 on: 02-12-2003 06:30 »

From a UK perspective, American Idol is really funny to watch...

Anyway, the UK seems to have become pretty saturated with reality TV shows -  the bubble has got ot burst sooner or later (hopefully sooner...)
Nurdbot

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #3 on: 02-12-2003 07:58 »

I am begging to despise reality shows.When I heard that Talent show was starting again I commited mental murder.
ZombieJesus

Lost Belgian
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #4 on: 02-12-2003 08:06 »

It 's all part of the process of dumbing down the media.
I am lucky to still have some intelligent/interesting/non-commercial channels.
(Arte, a German-French culture channel, is the first example I can think of.
Archie2K

Space Pope
****
« Reply #5 on: 02-12-2003 09:15 »
« Last Edit on: 02-12-2003 09:15 »

OK, first things first. These shows suck. But from a neutral viewpoint, I am going to defend them:

Commercial media gets it's revenue from adverts. Reality TV shows are very cheap to make because the "stars" put themselves up for free in the hope of chasing a large, but for the TV companies a tiny, reward. For a reality TV show to be a success it only has to make minimal money from advert revenues to break into profit. Therefore the TV companies can put out show after show without fear of big losses.

The music based ones have an extra incentive. So far in the UK, every reality TV show based music star(s) has gone to Number 1 (except One True Voice who were runners up to another manufactured TV band). The record companies pay big bucks to sign these people knowing that they will have a couple of huge hits then disappear into obscurity. Either way the record company doesn't have a to take a risk and will make a huge profit from the short time the act is a success.

Credit to Fame Academy for actually trying to find someone(s) with talent

So these shows are all about money. They make profit and that's all the money-grabbing bastards in the TV and music industry care about, lining their fat pockets at the expense of others. Simple probability says these shows will disappear pretty soon. People are surely bored of them now... please for the love of all that is holy!
Nixorbo

UberMod
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #6 on: 02-12-2003 09:47 »

three words: lowest common denominator
Zed 85

Space Pope
****
« Reply #7 on: 02-12-2003 10:12 »

Here's hoping that the lowest common denominator, while ever falling it seems, eventually starts to offend the higher intelligence of most of the population, rather than drag them down with it.
evan

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #8 on: 02-12-2003 15:34 »

I do get a perverse delight from that one guy on American Idol (Simon??) who just rips the hell out of the contestants. It's funny because they're untalented.

And I used to watch a few seasons of "The Real World". Like the first 3 seasons, back before it became super-sanitized.
Kryten

Space Pope
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« Reply #9 on: 02-12-2003 23:13 »

Reality TV sucks, and people who watch it are bad and should be fed to large animals.
Nurdbot

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #10 on: 02-13-2003 01:10 »

Hurrah! *shoves his Sister into a Lion cage*
uruseiranma

Crustacean
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« Reply #11 on: 02-13-2003 02:48 »

Oh, I remember back a year ago, when 'Real World: Chicago' was filming here.  From what I heard, they set up their 'victims' in a 4 story building in the part of town near Lincoln Park, a few close blocks to teh clubs, but also near the territory for  Bohemians ( you know, penniless artists who live to create art for the sake of art, not profit). Well, the artists and neighborhood, who have been trying to keep upscale creeps and such frmo moving in, did everything in their power to make the Real World feel not welcome.  So, MTV couldn't let these 'cool kids' walk out in public where they could be assaulted and name called.  Oh no, the Real World is where everyone outside your band of 'fake friends' has to treat you like an average Joe.  Well, protests were held, the ganag was shuffled frmo place to place in secluded vans and so forth, you couldn't even se into the place, they covered all the windows.

  Oh, and for those of you who have been keeping up with American Idol ,I found an interesting article, that basically does stipulate that the network and producers do own the first American Idol's soul.  Here's the link:

  http://www.salon.com/ent/feature/2002/09/18/idol_contract/   
rach_the_tall

Space Pope
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« Reply #12 on: 02-13-2003 06:04 »

'Son, why'd you put your sister in the lions cage?'
'Because Kryten the mod told me to.'
'Well, if he's a mod...'
Britz

Starship Captain
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« Reply #13 on: 02-13-2003 06:29 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by uruseiranma:
Joe Millionaire.  prissy girls wanting to get rich.  Gonna have a disappointed girl at the end, she'll leave him in 3 months, nuff said.

Joe Millionaire *shudder*  :puke:

I've gotten to wondering wether it's a setup or not, really it won't be that hard to establish, just depends on how it ends. If it ends with "Oh I don't care about the money, I've found true love blah blah blah, he's a garbage man who rapes little boys? I don't care I love him" (sort of what she'll say.) Then the daft broad's have know the whole bloody time.

If it ends with Jill Golddigger being picked out of the fifty or whatever lasses that started out and when she finds out she gives Joe Schmedrick an at-home vasectomy, then, it's real.
Ben

Space Pope
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« Reply #14 on: 02-13-2003 06:45 »

I love how you guys supposedly 'hate' these programs with such passion, but then proceed to reel off the names of them all and discuss the minute details and general concepts of each show with such vigour.

"My god, this program plumbs the depths of human depravity, I am in every way morally superior. Did you catch last week's episode by the way...?"

It's like your televisions don't have an 'off' switch..
Archie2K

Space Pope
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« Reply #15 on: 02-13-2003 06:56 »

Dunno what's it's like down in Australia, but here it is impossible to escape such programs. Especially Big Brother. It is talked about in all the papers, on the news, on the radio, and it seems everyone has an opinion. I have a suspicion that part of that show's popularity is that everyone else is watching it, so you have to aswell so you can have an opinion on it.

I admit to watching the first Popstars and parts of Fame Academy though. I also read papers to keep up-to-date with the events of BB3, and so I could vote for the kebab-laden underdog to win (she didn't).
Ben

Space Pope
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« Reply #16 on: 02-13-2003 07:20 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Archie2K:
but here it is impossible to escape such programs.

You're obviously not trying hard enough.

It's fun to condescend people when they ask what you think of the latest reality TV craze and you can just reply "Oh, I don't watch that poor excuse for a television program, so I wouldn't know". It makes them look like an unsophisticated slob. Fun, fun.
evan

Urban Legend
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« Reply #17 on: 02-13-2003 15:29 »

TheSmokingGun.com cuts down American Idol and Joe Millionare. Good for them.
aslate

Space Pope
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« Reply #18 on: 02-13-2003 15:41 »

Right, i saw the first Big Brother, then got sick.

Not seen: BB2, BB3, Pop Idol, American Idol, I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Fame Academy or Pop Stars, the Rivals.

The only parts of those i have seen have been from clips on other shows, adverts or flipping over at the wrong time. They are the worst form of 'entertainment' and they kill quality programming.
Just Chris

Urban Legend
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« Reply #19 on: 02-13-2003 23:36 »

It would be more interesting to see if the 'winning' woman had her choice of picking Joe Millionaire or $100,000. Now I would like to see her reaction to that.

I've noticed that bikini-clad girls are a big staple in reality TV shows, such as Fear Factor and Survivor. I guess it's one of the few winning points of these types of shows.
Ben

Space Pope
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« Reply #20 on: 02-14-2003 01:35 »

Either that, or a desperate ratings grab aimed at the sexually depraved mainstream.
FishyJoe

Honorary German
Urban Legend
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« Reply #21 on: 02-15-2003 12:14 »

For me, there's no such thing as a "guilty" pleasure. I like crap like Joe Millionaire, I don't care what anyone says.

The thing I'm really tired of, is "celebrity" reality shows. What bullshit. Webster? Melissa Rivers? That nobody model, who married the guy from Beverly Hills 90210? These aren't celebrities--get them out of here!
fromage

Starship Captain
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« Reply #22 on: 02-21-2003 11:30 »

The only reality show I watched was the Osbournes and I got tired of it after 3 weeks.

We can say what we want about reality shows, but tv channels will continue to make more of them as long as they get good ratings...
evan

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #23 on: 02-21-2003 12:54 »

I'm more disgusted by the "Married By America" show on, guess what?, FOX. Two complete strangers are picked to be locked together in wedlock by the American voting audience. Yeah, I really trust the people who would watch this crap to choose a good spouse for me.
Just Chris

Urban Legend
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« Reply #24 on: 02-24-2003 23:16 »

Note to Fox: "We've already seen stuff like that, in India. It's called ARRANGED MARRIAGE!!"
Zed 85

Space Pope
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« Reply #25 on: 03-05-2003 18:07 »

Apparently some key US TV writers have been speaking out against Reality TV at some TV festival thing.

"We are now using the humiliation of others as entertainment, it's embarrasing! Sometimes I think 'where are the religious right when you need them?'" - Aaron Sporkin (West Wing, Sport Night)

"The problem with democracy is that you get the shows you deserve" - Steve Bochco (Hill Street Blues, LA Law)

Just thought I'd share that with ya all... :D
Archie2K

Space Pope
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« Reply #26 on: 03-06-2003 08:43 »

I read today that the start of Reborn in the USA are threatening to walk out as they feel they will be made notional laughing stocks. Now this did come from the paper that bought you "Freddie Starr ate my Hamster" - The Sun - but it seems they were told this would be a genuine attempt to relaunch their careers (for the love of god no!) and instead they are being poked fun at. Suddenly karmic justice is done in the world.
Juliet

DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #27 on: 03-06-2003 12:32 »

You forgotting C4's for The Salon, a TV reality about hair  dressing and the hairdressers are wired. That transsexual was on The Graham Norton show last night.

I use to love pop idole but I hate it now.
Ricky

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #28 on: 03-06-2003 15:20 »

Three more days till Big Brother III in Norway. Yay. The commercials say it'll be more fun than ever, which isn't a very high aim. Last time, it took 75 days before anything "exciting" happened: A man and a woman were in bed together and kissed... And to top it off, none of the girls showered nude.
Even Alex Trebek could be more entertaining than that.
Carbito

Starship Captain
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« Reply #29 on: 03-14-2003 04:16 »

Big Brother was good the first time but after that it just gets boring. The people they choose are just a bunch of strange losers that thing they are cool. When will they learn that people don't like this relaity trash and the reason people "watch" it is because all channels have some form of reality TV so you have to watch one of them.
LittleMiss

Starship Captain
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« Reply #30 on: 03-14-2003 04:56 »

I actually like some reality TV, like the show Real TV, random shows on the Animal Planet, Elimidate ('cos it's funny as hell to watch a bunch of sluts fight over some sleaze-ball), Meet My Folks (This is a great, and very amusing show!), and occassionally Blind DateAmerican Idol was funny when it had the bad singers because Simon gave them a reality check, "You suck" or "That was possibly the worst singing I've ever heard in my life", and know what?  They all deserve it.  You don't enter yourself on a show that's looking for the best if your voice sounds like Olive Oyl from Popeye, period.  But in the long run, Reality TV shows have proven themselves to be quite amusing for me!  ^^

--Missy
Carbito

Starship Captain
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« Reply #31 on: 03-14-2003 05:13 »

...Why do you always have names of other TV shows in bold?
LittleMiss

Starship Captain
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« Reply #32 on: 03-14-2003 05:34 »

Just a habit I have.  I think it makes it a little easier to read than just slapping the name of the show in there.  *Shrug*

--Missy
lfv
Bending Unit
***
« Reply #33 on: 03-14-2003 13:03 »

if i were you guys i'd head over to Something Awful right now and check out their Photoshop Phriday for this week:
 http://www.somethingawful.com/articles.php?a=1337
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