Reality TV DOA in 2011?

[Mark Giardina]

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/40753472/ns/today-entertainment/

Oh God I hope so! :

Especially deep-six those housewives shows.

 

[landtuna]

"Reality" has become a very overused and misapplied word.

I can think of no OTA shows that meet the definition and only a very few cable shows that do ("Dangerous Catch", "Ice Road Truckers" and "Axe Men" being the best examples I can come up with at the moment). We used to call these types of shows "documentaries" but I guess that definition doesn't attract the younger generation.

"American Idol" and "DWTS" have been defined as reality but, in fact, are talent shows pure and simple (although the public voting aspect takes away from pure talent evaluation). "Big Brother" and the granddaddy of these shows, "Survivor", are also game shows even though they purport settings in a "reality type" environment and are unscripted.

I wish we'd get back to using our language as it was intended and not as a marketing tool.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I guess "America's Next Top Model" and "The Amazing Race" are also competition shows.

"Undercover Boss", though, is not. The participants think it is this season, but then they find out it was more like "Candid Camera".

 

[DToTheJ]

"American Idol" and "DWTS" have been defined as reality but, in fact, are talent shows pure and simple (although the public voting aspect takes away from pure talent evaluation)...

So in other words, take the voting away from "American Idol," and you get... "Star Search."

To me, the only true reality program is "COPS." No editing (okay, not much); no side-interviews with the cops (or suspects) weaved into the arrest footage. Just good television.

 

[DToTheJ]

"American Idol" and "DWTS" have been defined as reality but, in fact, are talent shows pure and simple (although the public voting aspect takes away from pure talent evaluation)...

So in other words, take the voting away from "American Idol," and you get... "Star Search."

To me, the only true reality program is "COPS." No editing (okay, not much); no side-interviews with the cops (or suspects) weaved into the arrest footage. Just good television.

 

[landtuna]

So in other words, take the voting away from "American Idol," and you get... "Star Search."

Note I said "public' voting. This tends to turn talent shows such as AI into nothing more than popularity contests.

To me, the only true reality program is "COPS." No editing (okay, not much); no side-interviews with the cops (or suspects) weaved into the arrest footage. Just good television.

I'd forgotten about "Cops". Yes, I agree it is reality however after a half-dozen or so shows it becomes very repetitive. (unless you are an aspiring LEO). I didn't think it was still on (in first-run shows anyway) as I quit watching it years ago.

 

[JayR]

Oh God I hope so! :

Especially deep-six those housewives shows.

Agreed.

 

[gregg75]

It's not going anywhere as long as they can find idiots that will watch it.
CBS can probably produce an entire night of reality for what one "2 1/2
Men" episode costs.

I think 95% of what's shown is staged, "encouraged", exaggerated or EDITED.
Example: BE SURE TO WATCH BILLY TRY TO KILL JOHN BOY NEXT WEEK!!!!

Maria: "OMG, Billy has picked up a knife to kill John Boy!"
John Boy: "Don't Kill Me Billy!!!"
(cut to 7 minute commercial break)
return: Billy: "Relax John Boy, I just needed to scratch my back with something."

 

[vchimpanzee]

Oh God I hope so! :

Especially deep-six those housewives shows.

Agreed.

Except, of course, "Desperate Housewives". One of my favorites.

 

[azumanga]

To me, the only true reality program is "COPS." No editing (okay, not much); no side-interviews with the cops (or suspects) weaved into the arrest footage. Just good television.

And of course -- no off-scene narration, other than the "All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law" disclaimer at the start of the show.

 

[landtuna]

It's not going anywhere as long as they can find idiots that will watch it.
CBS can probably produce an entire night of reality for what one "2 1/2
Men" episode costs.

And I will unscientifically opine that an entire evening of "reality" will not produce the viewer numbers that "Two and a Half" does. And, of course, hit scripted shows always have a lucrative syndicated future as well where "reality", if very good, only goes to DVD.

That said, I sure don't understand the huge salaries awarded to actors like Charlie Sheen. I do think he does the role very well but as for talent he is severely eclipsed by Jon Cryer (who makes less than one-half of Sheen's salary - $1.25M/episode vs $500K/episode). But then again if you look at shows like Big Bang Theory its stars make a top salary of $100K or less per episode so 2 1/2 may be an anomaly.

And BTW, costs do matter even on "reality" shows. Survivor's next season is filming in the same location as last season.

 

[landtuna]

Except, of course, "Desperate Housewives". One of my favorites.

DH isn't billed as a "reality" show but rather a comedy/drama.

I think the poster meant shows created for housewives.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Except, of course, "Desperate Housewives". One of my favorites.

DH isn't billed as a "reality" show but rather a comedy/drama.

I think the poster meant shows created for housewives.

I know what it is, but there are about a dozen reality shows called "Real Housewives" and that's what the person is referring to.

 

[Robnoxious]

The longer people continue to perpetuate the myth that this programming is needed, the longer these shows will continue to exist. If you want to make a statement, do so by unplugging the cable cord. With the advent of Netflix/Hulu/Vudu it's actually quite simple.

Trust me, you won't be missing a thing and have extra cash in your pocket to boot.

 

[Darth_vader]

"I can think of no OTA shows that meet the definition..."

"America's Funniest Home Videos" to probably a fairly decent extent.

(And yes, "Cops". Although in the Portland area, "Reno 911!" also does hit pretty close to home, considering........)

 

[bpatrick]

Re "public voting" on "American Idol" and "Dancing With The Stars,"
I have "Box 191, Radio City Station" permanently ingrained in my
memory bank. For those who may have forgotten, or are too young
to remember, it's where you sent a postcard to vote for your favorite
on "Ted Mack's Amateur Hour"--and that show was canceled in 1970!

 

[landtuna]

"America's Funniest Home Videos" to probably a fairly decent extent.

I watch that show nearly every Sunday but never thought of it as "reality". Guess I am just as confused with that term as everyone else.

But you are correct. It is a very good example of reality - maybe the best one.

 

[mescutia]

I can think of no OTA shows that meet the definition and only a very few cable shows that do ("Dangerous Catch", "Ice Road Truckers" and "Axe Men" being the best examples I can come up with at the moment). We used to call these types of shows "documentaries" but I guess that definition doesn't attract the younger generation.

For OTA, you'd have to look at shows on PBS. Nature, Nova, This Old House, etc.

 

[landtuna]

For OTA, you'd have to look at shows on PBS. Nature, Nova, This Old House, etc.

There go my blinders again. I would have called those shows "documentaries" although they certainly are reality-based. I guess you could also toss in all those cooking shows and antique evaluation shows as well.

Just goes to show what the "reality" description has gotten to mean I guess.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

I'm surprised if the word "dead" isn't the right description, that no one has put the words "jumped the shark" in a sentence...at least for quite a few of the shows and their concepts anyway...