An observation and question re: 'reality' shows

[Dan Murphy]

Adrenaline X - NBC

All American Girl - ABC

All You Need is Love - FOX

Amazing Race-CBS

American Candidate - FX

American Fighter Pilots - CBS

American High-PBS

American Idol - FOX

America's Next Top Model - UPN

Anna Nicole Smith Show - E!

Are You Hot? - ABC

artistLaunch - MTV

The Bachelor - ABC

Bachelorettes in Alaska- FOX

Bands on the Run-VH1

Battle of the Sexes - MTV

Big Brother 2-CBS

Big Brother 3-CBS

Boot Camp-FOX

Boston 24/7 - ABC

Break In-USA

Cannonball Run-USA

Cathouse - HBO

Celebrity Boxing - FOX

Celebrity Look Alike Dating - WB

The Chair - ABC

Chains of Love-UPN

Challenge America

The Chamber - FOX

Cheaters-Syndicated

Colonial House - PBS

Combat Missions-USA

Crashing With - MTV

Crime & Punishment - NBC

Danger Island - Syndicated

Dating Experiment - ABC

Destination Space-NBC

Dog Eat Dog-NBC

Dot Comedy-ABC

Dream Chasers - A&E

Eco-Challenge-USA

Elimidate Deluxe-WB

Exhausted - FOX

Extreme Makeover - ABC

Invasion of Hidden Cameras - FOX

Fantasy Island - NBC

Fear Factor-NBC

Final Justice - Lifetime

FM Nation - MTV

Frontier House - PBS

The Hamptons - ABC

Hard Knocks - HBO

High School Reunion - WB

Hopkins 24/7-ABC

Houseguest - Syndicated

Houston Medical - ABC

I'm a Celebrity - ABC

I Want a Divorce-FOX

Jailbreak-ABC

Joe Millionaire - FOX

Krypton Factor - FOX

Last Comic Standing - NBC

Liza and David - VH1

Lost-NBC
Lost in the USA-WB

Love Cruise-FOX

Love Shack - NBC

Love Stories- CBS

Making the Band- MTV

Manhunt- UPN

Married by America - FOX

Meet My Folks - NBC

Meet the Marks - FOX

The Mole-ABC

mtvTreatment - MTV

Murder in Small Town X- FOX

Nashville Star - USA

Next Action Star - NBC

No Boundaries- WB

North Shore - WB

The Osbournes - MTV

The People Versus - ABC

Popstars - WB

Profiles from the Front Lines - ABC

Project Greenlight - HBO

Public Property - ABC

Race to the Alter - NBC

Real Beverly Hillbillies - CBS

RealityRun-Syndicated

The Real World 10 - MTV

The Real World 11 - MTV

The Real World 12 - MTV

The Real World 13 - MTV

Rivals - ABC

Road Rules 11 - MTV

The Runner-ABC

Search for a Playboy Centerfold - FOX

Second Chance - FOX

Sexiest Bachelor Contest- FOX

Single Girls - ABC

Sorority Life - MTV

Spy TV - NBC

Star Chamber - FOX

Star Dates - E!

Star Search - CBS

State v. - ABC

Surreal Life - WB

Survivor 1- CBS

Survivor 2- CBS

Survivor 3- CBS

Survivor 4- CBS

Survivor 5- CBS

Survivor 6- CBS

Suspect: True Crime Stories - MTV

The Swap - ABC

Temptation Island - FOX

Thirty Seconds to Fame - FOX

Trading Spaces - TLC

Under One Roof - UPN

Wanted- FOX

Weakest Link-NBC

Who Wants to be a Millionaire-ABC

Who Wants to Date a Hooters Girl - Syndicated

Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire-FOX

The Will - ABC

Worst Case Scenario - TBS

WWF Tough Enough - MTV

You Don't Know Jack - ABC


I must preface this question and thought by saying my personal, hands on (or eyes on) experience with these so-called, currently popular reality shows is limited to about 30 minutes of the final Survivor show a couple years ago (was it a couple years?) (I did actually tune it in with all the hype) and about 5 minutes of the Bachelor show, a few weeks (maybe months) ago (did not tune in but rather 'surfed' into it, and surfed out in about 5 minutes or less). So, you can see I do not have a lot of personal, working knowledge of them.

But, from what I hear on TV/radio talk shows, read in the paper, read on the Net, read here on the DIS and hear in everyday small-talk conversations, they all seem to be sort of metamorphic reincarnations of Chuck Barris' Gong Show and The $1.98 Beauty Show. Those shows had seemed to mostly focus on humiliation of the guests/performers or whatever you called them and the losing aspects more than the winning aspects. Is the attraction of all or most of these similarly themed shows, not on so much who is the 'winner', but rather on the 'losers' each week? ......how are they going to lose, why are they going to lose, how badly are they going to lose, in what way are they going to lose? Sort of like that common human reaction to the proverbial train/car wreck.....wow, that sure was a bad crash, I wonder how bad it is, how did it happen, I am glad it was not me.

So, my question is, I guess, why do you watch these train wrecks?


PS: I have joked about these shows in the past here, but this is a real, honest question.

 

[Disney845]

Well I watch The Mole (not this current celebrity garbage) because it is the best, coolest, game show to ever exist!!!!!!!!!! Does that answer your question!! I don't really watch any of the others much, because I find them annoying.

 

[snoopy]

The only reality shows I have ever watched are the second season of The Bachelor, and this season of The Bachelorette. I watched/watch both religiously. I also watch Joe Millionairre, but not as avidly, only if I happen to be home and available when its on.

I suppose I like The Bachelor series because I really like people watching. Not unlike the reasons why I DIS so much. I am facinated with people and all facets of their personalities.

I also like romance, and seeing romance develop between two people.

Oh, and the train wreck part is kind of fun too! I'm not above it, I'll be the first to admit it.

 

[Blondie]

The $1.98 Beauty Show....I forgot all about that one!

I work on most of the nights those shows are on...so I never really got sucked in....except for the Bachelor--second season. Not really sure why? It's like there are subliminal messages being sent out...you can't look away!

Can't get into the Bachelorette...thought I might like it, turned out I hated it. Never saw Joe Millionaire....I think the whole reality show idea is old. It was a cool concept at first though.

The Osbournes is a whole different breed of reality show if you ask me! I think it's more like a soap opera. That one I like and try to catch...when I'm home. But I don't tape missed episodes.

 

[Poohbear123]

I only watch American Idol right now, but wish they had one for ages 26 and UP! Dan, it would NOT suprise me that in the near future, these kind of shows is ALL that will be on TV!

 

[grinningghost]

Wow Dan, I knew there were alot of them, but that list really brings home just HOW many! The only one I watch is The Osbournes and American Idol if DD happens to have it on. The rest I could do without.

 

[Snow White]

I don't care for those shows at all !

 

[Buckalew]

they all seem to be sort of metamorphic reincarnations of Chuck Barris' Gong Show and The $1.98 Beauty Show.

I watched the Gong Show when I was growing up. It has actually been a big joke at my house in the past few days... the unknown comic's song sticks with me (I know, Dan, you have no idea what I'm taking about!)

I have watched Survivor and Fear Factor(once too many) and The Bachelor(ette). I have no idea why I watch them. So, there you have it...I have no answer for why. I guess it is the ol' train wreck thing going on.

 

[Rajah]

I only watch Survivor -- I've tried some of the others and just couldn't get into them.

Main reason I like watching Survivor is I like the various challenges they come up with for people to do, and it's kinda interesting to see the psychology involved in the program.

---

Amended to say I also like the ones on PBS (though I didn't know there were more than one until recently) where they put modern families into historic situations to see how they fare. That one is very educational and interesting to see what life was really like "back then". The only one I've seen on PBS so far was Frontier House, but I'm very interested in Colonial House when it comes out.

 

[Dizzy-Disney4]

Well, I can't say because other than the first season of Survivor, and the Osbornes every once in a while, I don't watch the others. I find most of them VERY disturbing to watch. My DH watches some of them, but they all remind me in some weird way of that movie with Arnold Swarzenager (sp) I think it was called The Running Man?

 

[minniecarousel]

WOW! That's quite a comprehensive list. I personally have seen parts of 10 of those shows. Why do I watch? Part of it is that "oh, my, what's going to happen next?" I don't get a big kick out of people being humiliated - but I do get my favorites on these shows (Amazing Race & Big Brother are my favorites). I can't stand watching people eat bugs (& worse). I also watch TVLand and wax nostalgic with the old sit-coms. I probably watch too much TV! I look on all of it as entertainment. (I know, not very mind-expanding!)
Good question!

 

[The LK 4]

Dan,
Most of it is simply a guilty pleasure to watch. Some shows are intriguing, like The Mole and The Amazing Race, but most are just downright ridiculous. I have watched Survivor, Big Brother, Joe Millionaire, The Bachelor and Bachelorette, Real World/Road Rules, American Idol, Weakest Link, and a few other ones you have listed. I can't believe that many of these people would embarrass themselves on national TV like they do. Don't they care about what their families and friends think?

 

[Beanie]

Hmm, let's see...I watch (when they are on) Survivor, Amazing Race, Joe Millionaire, Meet My Folks, American Idol, Fear Factor and Star Dates...(of course, Survivor and Amazing Race are not on right now)

I watch them, well, because I like Cheesy Reality Shows!! Actually, I have no excuse and don't need one...I like them and find most of them more funny than anything!

 

[CRB#33]

I can't get over that list!!!

I watched the last episode of the last American Idol, only because Justin lives about 25 minutes from me and I thought that was kind of neat.

I have never watched any of the others except when flicking through channels and seeing the commercials for them.

I'm trying to stay away from things that annoy me!

 

[Buckalew]

Oh yeah, I forgot I watched Frontier House and Big Brother and....

 

[vald1977]

Well, I watch some of the shows you listed (wow, what a list!). I watch them because people are interesting. While it is true that some of them are more focused on making people look dumb, not all of them have that focus. Some, like the Mole, are quite smartly put together. Murder in Small Town X was another that I really liked (thanks for reminding me of that one). You can't really put all reality shows in the same catagory because they are all different. Some are focused on making people look stupid and that is a shame because many more have a higher standard. Just like anything else, networks see success with reality shows so it is being pushed to the extremes and getting to the point where it is all over the tv. It is a shame that the current push is toward the "make people look dumb" shows because the well done ones are watched just as much if not more.

 

[GEM]

I've never seen a single episode of any of them. The commercials make them sound so ridiculous that I've never even been tempted to tune them in. Just not my thing. I honestly can't understand why they are so popular. I think they're awful, but that's just my personal feeling on them.

"I Want A Divorce" and "Who Wants To Date A Hooters Girl"????? Are those actually real shows? If so, we may have hit a new all time low.

 

[Lynn CC]

It all started at the end of the first season of Survivor for us.
We tuned in on the last show and we were hooked. It's not often that we all watch a show together. DS is usually doing homework or reading, I'm either DISing or helping him study or reading. DH is usually working in the house or reading.
We all watched and enjoyed the second season and third together! We found we were interacting in a whole new way and looked forward to it every week. We are looking forward to the new Survivor coming up in Feb.
So for us, it's just a common show that we all can enjoy and laugh about. I don't think we would sit-in on a hot summer night and watch, but it is Winter so that's a good excuse!

I have to admit we all watched American Idol last night too
We were laughing!
We never all liked watching T.V. together before these reality shows. DH watches sports, I watch newscast shows, and DS will watch a sitcom.

 

[AnonyMouse]

Hi.
My name is AnonyMouse and I am a Reality TV junkie...

Not until I sat and wrote out a list of the reality TV that I watch (most of which are all the time). I even thought of a few that were omitted from the list.
I am going to come clean with those that I watch regularly...

FM Nation
PBS time periods (Frontier House, 1800 House, 1940's House)
Joe Millionaire
The Osbourne's
Real World (all seasons)
Sorority Life
Trading Spaces
While You Were Out
American Idol
The Anna Nicole Show
The Bachelor
Bachelorettes in Alaska
RW/RR Battle of the Sexes
Crashing with
E-Love

I think the reasons I tune in to them are:

1. I have NO life and live vicariously through these people
2. There is not much else to select from on TV anymore
3. Anna Nicole is strictly the "train wreck" I can't help it...

 

[ILUVDXL]

I'd throw the TV out the window before I'd watch any of that junk.