# 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:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/41 "2001-08-28T22:10:29Z")
I feel your [pain](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=78311), **jarbabyj**. I had high hopes for Murder in Small Town X, but then I saw that they were feeding the contestants clues, telling them exactly what they would need to find, instead of actualy making them think and make their own discoveries. ---
**Author:** ![Jeannie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@Jeannie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeannie)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/42 "2001-08-28T22:31:49Z")
I am also a reality TV junkie. I watched _The Mole_, both _Survivors_, _Temptation Island_ (okay, I am ashamed of that one), both _Big Brothers_, and _Boot Camp_. I cannot help it. It just sucks me in. I may be losing IQ points every single time I tune in, but I cannot control myself. For me, it’s like crack. I watch the first episode, just to see how dumb it all is. And then I stay and watch. I did not watch _Chains of Love_ (Okay, I watched the first one, but it was too horrible even for me). I tried watching _Murder in …_, but it got so boring after the first two episodes, I just couldn’t handle it. I loathe _Fear Factor_. Hopefully, this will redeem me somewhat, but I fear that the damage is done… ---
**Author:** ![pesch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pesch/32/4925_2.png) [@pesch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pesch)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/43 "2001-08-28T23:26:20Z")
All this reminds me of the “American Flagg” comic book from the 1980s, a parody of future America where they play shows like “Firefight All Night Live!” I just saw an ad for a new Reality TV show that features former military arming up for paintball (or paintball-like) contests. Now, if we can just get a camera crew over to the Gaza. Film a few clashes, get a lead time on the next suicide bombing. Get the two sides to sit down and talk, we may have a Sweeps Week winner here! ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2001, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/44 "2001-08-28T23:37:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MonkeyMensch \* > **My favorite Reality TV is still _The Price Is Right_** Hear, hear! Anybody else remember the episode where a well endowed woman ran down the aisle, and her tube top fell off? I never saw my grandpa turn red before… I loved The Mole. It was great. Anything else, I didn’t see a single episode of. Don’t feel like I missed anything. ---
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/45 "2001-08-29T01:17:15Z")
I, ummm…, actually do like to watch _Blind Date_. Well, it doesn’t take itself seriously, you know. Really. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/46 "2001-08-29T01:26:02Z")
And then people wonder why I pulled the plug on cable. If I don’t rent it, I don’t watch it. My life has been much more productive, since. [sub]I miss South Park and BattleBots, though…[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Feynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@Feynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feynn)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/47 "2001-08-29T07:43:20Z")
_“We’d rather just sit and pull our puds while sexy twenty somethings bicker over how far they can get zucchini up their ass.”_ And you wonder why so many people tune in? Stuff like that never happens in real life, in Penthouse maybe, but never in real life. I admit that I too, have been sucked in but resistance is not futile. We can change the channel if we want to, can’t we? jarbabyj, you’re a gem. Don’t stop fighting the good fight. ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/48 "2001-08-29T13:23:45Z")
I avoid “reality” TV like it was a near sighted syphilitic priapic rutting bull. However. I would have watched “Survivor” if it had gone with the premise that I first imagined. Throw all these people on a deserted island with nothing but the clothes on their backs. No food. No immunity chalanges. No voting people off. No camera crews, just unmanned cameras all over the place like in “the Truman Show” They would have to survive using nothing but their wits, with the only way off being to give up, or to become so ill or weak as to require medical attention. And with a cool Million at stake, the contestants would be motivated to drive each other off the island. You think you saw scheming on the real show… Sigh. ---
**Author:** ![Traveler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc8723/32.png) [@Traveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Traveler)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/49 "2001-08-29T21:10:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by particlewill \* > \*\*I avoid “reality” TV like it was a near sighted syphilitic priapic rutting bull. > > However. > > I would have watched “Survivor” if it had gone with the premise that I first imagined. > > Throw all these people on a deserted island with nothing but the clothes on their backs. > > No food. > > No immunity chalanges. > > No voting people off. > > No camera crews, just unmanned cameras all over the place like in “the Truman Show” > > They would have to survive using nothing but their wits, with the only way off being to give up, or to become so ill or weak as to require medical attention. And with a cool Million at stake, the contestants would be motivated to drive each other off the island. > > You think you saw scheming on the real show… > > Sigh. \*\* Yes, I was hoping for that kind of Survivor as well not that sugar-coated stuff they have on. Same with Big Brother. They did it the wimpy, sugar-coated way. I wanted to see people on the island suffer and try to survive for the million dollars. ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/50 "2001-08-30T09:42:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by particlewill \* > \*\*I avoid “reality” TV like it was a near sighted syphilitic priapic rutting bull. > > However. > > I would have watched “Survivor” if it had gone with the premise that I first imagined. > > Throw all these people on a deserted island with nothing but the clothes on their backs. > > No food. > > No immunity chalanges. > > No voting people off. > > No camera crews, just unmanned cameras all over the place like in “the Truman Show” > > They would have to survive using nothing but their wits, with the only way off being to give up, or to become so ill or weak as to require medical attention. And with a cool Million at stake, the contestants would be motivated to drive each other off the island. > > You think you saw scheming on the real show… > > Sigh. \*\* OOC, is this the format they’re using for “Get the Fuck Home, Fast” (Lost, or whatever they’re calling it?) or is that going to be truly episodic as well? Note: I didn’t watch any of the “reality” shows except early Real World’s and a few episodes of Temptation Island, so I don’t know what format they tend to use. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/51 "2001-08-30T18:45:14Z")
Newbie chiming in - A lot of the posters in this topic seem to be advancing the following two part statement: (1) Reality TV sucks. Reality TV is the worst thing to hit civilization since Ted McGinley. I wouldn’t watch reality TV if you tied me to a pole and cut off my eyelids, etc, etc, etc. (2) I’ve never actually watched any reality TV. How is it even possible to have such a strong, violent aversion to something you’ve not ever seen, or at least not seen often enough to judge what it’s about? I’m hearing (well, reading, but whatever) people trash “Survivor,” for instance, while admitting that they have no idea what actually went on because THEY DIDN’T WATCH IT. Huh? I actually really enjoyed both seasons of “Survivor.” And no; I’m not a drooling idiot or a mindless member of some horde. I just think it’s interesting to see how actual people react to stress and conflict, and to consider how I (or those watching with me) might respond in similar situations. ---
**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 30, 2001, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/52 "2001-08-30T18:50:22Z")
> [@](#): > > by me: > > rion, I don’t watch Reality TV. I watched The Mole and Survivor II, to see Colby shirtless. But now, my choices are cut (on networks at least) if I want to avoid it, I hear about every fucking reality show when I listen to the radio, or pick up a magazine, or sit down to have lunch with my friends. 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 think a LITTLE bit of Reality TV is a fun, novel concept, but when 1/3 of my choices of things to watch are the same damn thing, it gets ridiculous. Also, it’s extra fun to invite your friends over for dinner only to have them say: “OH, I can’t. Survivor’s on and I have to be able to talk about it at work tomorrow.” :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/53 "2001-08-30T19:12:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by storyteller0910 \* > **How is it even possible to have such a strong, violent aversion to something you’ve not ever seen, or at least not seen often enough to judge what it’s about? I’m hearing (well, reading, but whatever) people trash “Survivor,” for instance, while admitting that they have no idea what actually went on because THEY DIDN’T WATCH IT. Huh?** I’ve never been sodomized by a gorilla, but I have a pretty strong opinion on it. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/54 "2001-08-30T19:38:11Z")
Well, I object to it on the grounds that half the time lately when I want to watch TV, it’s nothing but reality programs. No, I haven’t watched too many reality programs (one episode of Murder in Small Town X and one episode of Fear Factor), but it’s just not something I’m interested in. It’s as if you hated country music, and one night you sat down to watch some television, started flipping through the channels, and found that every station was showing either country music videos, interviews with country music singers, or “Behind the Music” documentaries about country music tours. You don’t have to watch all of it to know that you’re not interested. I’m the same way with reality shows. I don’t need to watch them to know I’m not interested in watching them. And I wouldn’t mind them so much if they didn’t dominate the airwaves practically every night. Sometimes I just want to sit down and watch a nice sitcom, y’know? ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/55 "2001-08-30T19:53:13Z")
HEY! Don’t knock Temptation Island and Love Cruise. Since they cancelled Melrose Place they are my only hope! Pathetically, I am very serious. ---
**Author:** ![andygirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@andygirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andygirl)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/56 "2001-08-30T20:52:37Z")
Love Cruise is out? Sweet! What network and time? I seriously want to see just one episode- I helped do one of the casting calls with quietgirl. ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/57 "2001-08-30T21:25:15Z")
I don’t think it is out yet, but I’ll be ready for it when it is. :::happy dance::: ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2001, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/58 "2001-09-03T07:13:37Z")
I didn’t read the thread yet, because I’m in too much of a hurry to say this: The “reality TV” fad had better die out, and soon, before it puts all experienced and qualified crew members out of work. Every time Mr. Rilch or one of his contemporaries sees an ad for a new “reality show”, they tear their hair out. Even with five networks plus cable, there’s still a finite number of series that can be on TV in a year. It’s hard enough to find work as an electrician, grip, script supervisor, and so on, without these shows that only require a couple of video camera operators. Stop it. Right now. Or else. ---
**Author:** ![Lionors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c37758/32.png) [@Lionors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionors)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2001, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555/59 "2001-09-03T13:33:53Z")
Actually, what scares the heck out of me about reality TV is not the programs that are on – it’s the programs that could be. Paranoia? Not really. Think about how horror films got increasingly more gory and graphic over the years. As people grew jaded, it took more and more to whet their interest. Same for talk shows. We all know there’s not much that can’t or won’t be sacrificed to the Great Gods Neilsen and Arbitron to get their favor. I’m waiting uneasily for the day that one contestant either gets fatally injured or fatally injures another on a live reality program…and the ratings skyrocket. Not to sound like gloom and doom, but it’s a truly disquieting possibility, at least in my mind. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-to-realitytv-you-are-done/78555.md?page=2)