# Note to RealityTV: YOU ARE DONE **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 28, 2001, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555 "2001-08-28T17:36:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/21 "2001-08-28T18:45:54Z")
Yummy HOST? how about Yummy winner, Stephen??? Holy Cats he was hot. jarbaby ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/22 "2001-08-28T18:46:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\*It’s not just a matter of not watching, it’s become a lifestyle. > > I just heard a commercial for auditions for Elimidate. > > I went into a bathroom stall at a bar and saw a notice for auditions for Lost. > > I can’t FUCKING get away. > \*\* This I can understand. I had the impression from your OP that you watched more than you did. As for avoiding the trend, it’s too late. You’re on camera even as we speak. ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/23 "2001-08-28T18:48:14Z")
> [@](#): > > Yes…it was a great idea at first. I would like to register strenuous disagreement with that statement in particular. It was never a great idea. Still, many many many people (from what I can gather) seem to get a kick out of it, so more power to em. From my way of looking at things, four hours spent on a couch watching twenty-somethings shriek at one another is essentially no different in quality than four hours spent on a couch watching two groups of uniformed fellows expend enormous energy to alternately move a ball down a field, or prevent its movement. (The latter would get an edge if an onscreen graphic would pop up with each crunching tackle that displayed expert guesstimates on just how many years of useful functioning just got removed from the knees involved.) Either way, it’s ritualized venting of aggression. Sure, one involves a lot more skill that’s sometimes downright inhuman, but it’s had years to reach that point. Fifty years from now, twenty-something shrieking will be so advanced that it’ll make today’s offerings look just sad. Well, even sadder than it already does, I mean. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/24 "2001-08-28T18:58:25Z")
I must retract a little bit of my ire as i see that the Mole IS in fact returning this fall. September 21st to be exact. I will watch it again, and if this makes me a hypocrite…so be it. But Love Cruise…that’s not right. jarbaby ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/25 "2001-08-28T18:59:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Amp \* > \*\*…an entertaining show with an intriguing premise. \*\* (Quietly adding **Amp** to the list of Dopers who are obviously Small-D-dopers.) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![CnoteChris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/278dde/32.png) [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/26 "2001-08-28T19:07:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zette \* > **Holy fuck- are you kidding about the “Door Knock” thing? What the hell would they do at my house? I have an old melon(half), some rotten corn on the cob, old leftover pasta, and a big case of Labatts beer.** I wondered about that too. After watching a few episodes, (I really like, by the way, it seems that everyone in it are not only having a good time, they’re actually learning something in the process too) however, I figured out how they pull it off with people having food to work with when they show up. Basically, they target the beautifull neighborhoods. Beautifull neighborhoods = Cashola. And Cashola = Lotsa food (Well, typically, anyways). They’re not, say, barging in on the homes in Chicago’s south side (You know, though, that would make it even _more_ interesting, "Hello. Were from… ::Blam! Blam! Blam!:🙂 Anyrate, back to where I was, which is, with the good homes comes the supplies needed to put on a meal. In one of these mansions they barged in on, the lady of the home had about five refrigerators to choose from. They ended up putting on a huge spread. From their perspective, it’s the obvious thing to do. The people invariably have a diverse, or at least, extensive, base of supplies to build on, and I’ve yet to see a home that didn’t have at least _something_ in the frig or freezer to make a meal out of. But, yeah, if they come to my place, it’d be one short episode. “We’ll now watch Chris put that left-over pizza in the microvawe. In the meantime, we have some time to kill. Tell us about yourself Chris. Tell us about some neighbors of yours that actually might have some food in their fridge we can make something of.” ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/27 "2001-08-28T19:13:40Z")
I’ve noticed that movie budgets have gotten bigger and bigger (expensive special effects, $20 million stars), with the number of screens becoming fewer and fewer. Whereas TV is getting cheaper and cheaper (no writers, amateur performers) while the number of channels increases. Either way, I feel like a fugitive from the law of diminishing returns. ---
**Author:** ![pezpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@pezpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pezpunk)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/28 "2001-08-28T19:14:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\* > But Love Cruise…that’s not right. > > \*\* So wrong… **BUT SOOOOOO RIGHT!** ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Creant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Miss\_Creant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Creant)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/29 "2001-08-28T19:27:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MonkeyMensch \* > \*\*My favorite Reality TV is still _The Price Is Right_. 😉 Now I have to admit that I have only seen one hour of “Reality TV” and that was _Survivor_ where they were down to three people on the island. It was a game show, right? Aren’t they all game shows? > > I have to chime in with **Miss Creant** and ask, “What are you doing watching any of this dreck?” That’s an innocent question , BTW, no offense intended. I know from your posts that you’re an intelligent, refined person with impeccable taste and a _weltschauung_ of subtle humor and insight. \*\* uh…I never asked why she was watching it. None of my beeswax. Maybe it’s research for the novel or taking a break from writing and the only thing on television is **that dreck**. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Creant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Miss\_Creant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Creant)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/30 "2001-08-28T19:34:38Z")
I still like my concept for **Door Knock Fucking Dinner** better. ---
**Author:** ![cleosia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@cleosia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cleosia)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/31 "2001-08-28T19:35:21Z")
Nick at Night - 100% **UN** reality, 100% of the time! Ah, _Gilligan_, _Love Boat_! The orginal _Survivor_ and _Love Cruise_! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/32 "2001-08-28T19:35:52Z")
I do too. ---
**Author:** ![KJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b2d939/32.png) [@KJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KJ)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/33 "2001-08-28T19:39:54Z")
Love Cruise looks like the worst TV show, ever. One day I was watching TV, thinking, “I wonder what is the most random pointless thing I can do, just to freak myself out…the last thing you’d expect me to do…” So, this fall, for no reason at all other than to be completely spontanaeous, I’m going to sit and watch every single episode of Love Cruise. I do not know why. I’ll report back here if my brain doesn’t rot into a steaming pile of shit by the time I’m done (in which case, I’ll probably become CEO of Fox.) ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/34 "2001-08-28T19:58:16Z")
I have a couple of times stumbled across (been bludgeoned by) The Real World while trying to find the MTV that actually used to play music. I know it a cliche butt yes, I now also weep for our youth. The others? Never seen a one. Don’t plan to. Would rather watch The Dingleberry Network while eating cotton candy. ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/35 "2001-08-28T20:03:51Z")
I do so hate “reality” television…in reality, any group of people so different from each other so as to create constant tension and frequent violent outbursts would no longer hang around together! “The Real World” would never happen, much less fucking “Survivor” (which would be better if they just let them “survive” instead of making 'em play game and shit), or Big Brother (which would be better as a web-only extreme-privacy-invasion thing for perverts). Unfortunately, I’ve been tricked into attending parties that revolved around the finale to the 2nd Survivor and an episode of the current (?) Big Brother…at least no one complained when I made fun of their goddam stupidity! Of course, one must be vigilant not to be sucked along with the mindless hordes into enjoyment of crap TV. That said, “Lost” looks intriguing…but I’m sure watching culturally and geographically illiterate Americans bumbling homewoard will just test my patience…must…resist… ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Creant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Miss\_Creant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Creant)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/36 "2001-08-28T20:07:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\*I do too. \*\* are you responding to me? I bet we could pitch this to a network as a show and they’d do it! ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/37 "2001-08-28T20:11:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dropzone \* > This is “Small Wonder,” the worst syndicated sitcom of all time. \*\* I see you never watched [**Manimal**](http://www.geocities.com/~karmilla/manimal.html). ---
**Author:** ![Sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunshine)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/38 "2001-08-28T20:19:43Z")
Ok…I’ll admit it. I am a Reality TV Junkie. Yes, I watched them all…even _Boot Camp_ and _Temptation Island_…and _Bug Juice_! Summer camp for 14 year olds and I love it. It started with _Real World_ way back when and then _Road Rules_ jumped in and I was lost from there. Suckered. I **know** it’s bad TV. I know it but I can’t help it…I don’t know what it is that draws me in…maybe it’s like a train wreck. I always stop to watch train wrecks. Mr. Sunshine shakes his head in disgust at me and tells me that they’re awful, horrid, putrid shows and I nod my head and agree with him but snarl “GET AWAY FROM MY REMOTE!” when he tries to change the channel. In my defense, I will say that I did NOT watch _Chains of Love_. Even I wouldn’t stoop so low. The jury’s still out on _Love Cruise_. Maybe we need to start a RealityAnonymous in the Denver area. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/39 "2001-08-28T21:03:31Z")
Manimal was a sitcom? That explains a lot… ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Baroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/76d3ee/32.png) [@Billy\_Baroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Baroo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/40 "2001-08-28T21:54:40Z")
It all started with _Cops_. I watched because that guy with the vial of crystal meth in his pocket whose shirt was torn off by the last fence he fled over is not me. My relief and fascination glued me to the set. Life ain’t so bad after witnessing the Hell that the perps from _Cops_ are inhabiting. On an unrelated note, soon _Buffy_ will be on six times a week. Thereafter reality will be unnecessary. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555.md?page=3)