Reality TV

Armistead · 09-19-13, 03:23 PM

On most forums the overwhelming majority of people state they hate reality TV, yet it thrives. Worse, we now have fake reality, where they fake filming a fake show.... I really miss the old History Channel.

Anyway, is there one reality show that you watch or is worth watching?

Fubar2Niner · 09-19-13, 03:28 PM

I have enough reality going on in my own lounge most nights mate. I can do without someone else's, if you get my drift. Grand-kids, kids, dogs, missus...........

.... Forgot to mention, not necessarily in that order

frau kaleun · 09-19-13, 03:35 PM

I'm not sure any more where to draw the line.

Is Top Gear a reality show? Cuz I love that.

I've also watched things like Project Runway and Top Chef on a regular basis, although they're not Must See TV for me any more. Yeah there's always interpersonal drama going on, but mostly I enjoy shows like that for the element of watching someone think up something and then make it. Also I usually learn stuff about how to do those things, which I enjoy.

But stuff like Big Brother, Survivor, The Bachelor, American Idol... nope. Never have watched them (by choice) and never will. In fact the glut of reality shows back when they first started coming out is what made me stop watching "regular" broadcast television. I can remember a time when I'd turn on the tv and cycle through NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX to see what was on. And I can distinctly remember a time when I did that several nights in a row only to find almost nothing but reality shows like the ones noted above and whatever else they were putting on the air during that long writers' strike a while back.

At that point I started hitting the cable channels as my primary options when channel surfing and just never went back, sadly many of those have since succumbed to the "reality craze" and most of what's usually shown on my old cable favorites is now of no interest either. And yes I'M LOOKING AT YOU, *cough* HISTORY *cough* CHANNEL.

Fubar2Niner · 09-19-13, 03:40 PM

Kind of reminds you of Springsteens song; 57 Channels and nothing on

kraznyi_oktjabr · 09-19-13, 04:04 PM

Depends on what you mean. If you mean Big Brother, Jersey Shore, or Survivor then no. Shows such as Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, Amazing Race, Idols (our version of American Idol) I have watched previously.

Also if you consider such shows which follow professionals such as police, fire/rescue/EMS personnel (Pelastajat, Poliisit etc...) - then yes I do watch reality shows although not very often.

BrucePartington · 09-19-13, 04:12 PM

I've given up tv altogether, for the reasons mentioned above. Still have it, but it's up for sale. The things I like I get from the internet.
Occasionally I see some tv if it's on while I walk into a bar, but most times I look away, since now it's the same thing on and on and on, back to back. Soap operas, pseudo reality shows, silly contests, more soap opera....
Not to sound old-fashioned, but somehow I get the impression the 80's and early 90's were probably the best time for tv. Quality started to glide down after that.
As some will remember, I do have the complete Sherlock Holmes tv series with Jeremy Brett, which I enjoy every other year. Out of nostalgia I also recently found myself watching Lovejoy (Ian Mcshane). I love the 'Tinker' character.
Ironically I discovered the latest/last Star Trek tv franchise - Enterprise - on youtube. It never aired here. And because of that illegal upload I accidentally found, I actually ordered the complete series from Amazon.

When I spent a week in London in 2007 I did enjoy the quality of public tv - BBC - which was a nice break away from Portuguese public tv. I suspect I wouldn't mind the 'crazy' UK tv tax everyone is talking about, if it meant better quality tv than what I have available here.

Yes, I know, the grass is always greener on the other side

Sailor Steve · 09-19-13, 04:13 PM

I've never had a desire to watch a "Reality" show, because they don't reflect reality. Well, there was one exception, which pitted real military and police specialists in simulated combat scenarios - Combat Missions, from 2002.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Missions

And no, Top Gear is not a "reality" show, it's just real people doing what they love. Nor is any show that follows real people in their real lives. Those are documentaries. "Reality" shows feature people competing for a prize. Their real personalities play a part, but they're not doing real things.

Ducimus · 09-19-13, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armistead

On most forums the overwhelming majority of people state they hate reality TV, yet it thrives. Worse, we now have fake reality, where they fake filming a fake show.... I really miss the old History Channel.

Anyway, is there one reality show that you watch or is worth watching?

It's not just the history channel, Nat Geo's gotten in on the act of making fake reality shows too. Doomsday castle is a good example. Just the ad's of it make me want to vomit, so I refuse to watch it. Oh and let's not forget Omish Mafia. REALLY?

Personally, i think 95% of reality shows are a bunch of crap, and that's being generous. About the only one i would watch right now if it was still playing is Dual Survival.

History Channel's gone, and is probably never coming back. Your best bet is to selectively watch specific programs from Military channel, Discovery , Nat Geo and "H2" with a DVR and just avoid the reality TV spam altogether.

Armistead · 09-19-13, 04:35 PM

I enjoyed Survivor the first years, had a friend get to play in Australia. I can't get into much anymore, but I'll watch it from time to time.

I find it amazing that fake reality took over TV and continues to grow. I think it's scary that Americans have become so shallow that even their reality shows are scripted and fake. The acting is horrible as well as the shows.

Yep, I do watch the Military channel, they still show a lot of CW era stuff.

Ducimus · 09-19-13, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armistead

I find it amazing that fake reality took over TV and continues to grow. I think it's scary that Americans have become so shallow that even their reality shows are scripted and fake. The acting is horrible as well as the shows.

My wife and I joke around that we're going to start "doomsday prepping" for the incoming Idiocracy. When advocates of any stripe say that Americans are asleep, I would point my finger to reality TV shows, or frivious crap like American Idol. We might as well be watching .

soopaman2 · 09-19-13, 05:18 PM

My last favorite reality show was Deadliest catch.

Even that in the past year or two has become manufactured.

They raped Capt. Phils death to play up his drug addict son. Kept him around for TV value, despite the fact he had nothing to do with crab fishing.

Disgusting.

To this day I refuse to eat any crabs. I cannot eat something a man died to get, at a cheapo price.

(fyi 10.99 $ a pound for leg clusters here)

I catch my own, smaller but safer. (Softshell Bluecrabs rock)

Armistead · 09-19-13, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

My wife and I joke around that we're going to start "doomsday prepping" for the incoming Idiocracy. When advocates of any stripe say that Americans are asleep, I would point my finger to reality TV shows, or frivious crap like American Idol. We might as well be watching .

If you do, try to get on that prepping show so I'll know where you are and what your plans are to defeat me. Stock up on plenty booze.

Armistead · 09-19-13, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soopaman2

My last favorite reality show was Deadliest catch.

Even that in the past year or two has become manufactured.

They raped Capt. Phils death to play up his drug addict son. Kept him around for TV value, despite the fact he had nothing to do with crab fishing.

Disgusting.

To this day I refuse to eat any crabs. I cannot eat something a man died to get, at a cheapo price.

(fyi 10.99 $ a pound for leg clusters here)

I catch my own, smaller but safer. (Softshell Bluecrabs rock)

My wife loves Deadliest Catch, can't figure it, she hates fishing and the men are ugly.

Ducimus · 09-19-13, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armistead

If you do, try to get on that prepping show so I'll know where you are and what your plans are to defeat me. Stock up on plenty booze.

Huh?

I guess you watch American Idol or something.

Herr-Berbunch · 09-19-13, 06:41 PM

The first round of the beginnings of reality TV (as we now know it) was fine, it was a new experience and it was full of people with good intentions. The second round declined into being full of self-publicising, get-rich-quick wannabes and it seemingly gets worse every time.

And I never watch live telly, always record it and watch it later to skip any ads. The exception may be BBC's coverage of F1 - but they don't do ads anyway. And I don't watch any reality shows. Ever.

09-19-13, 03:23 PM	#1
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	Reality TV On most forums the overwhelming majority of people state they hate reality TV, yet it thrives. Worse, we now have fake reality, where they fake filming a fake show.... I really miss the old History Channel. Anyway, is there one reality show that you watch or is worth watching? __________________ You see my dog don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it.

09-19-13, 04:04 PM	#5
kraznyi_oktjabr Sea Lord Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Republiken Finland Posts: 1,803 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	Depends on what you mean. If you mean Big Brother, Jersey Shore, or Survivor then no. Shows such as Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, Amazing Race, Idols (our version of American Idol) I have watched previously. Also if you consider such shows which follow professionals such as police, fire/rescue/EMS personnel (Pelastajat, Poliisit etc...) - then yes I do watch reality shows although not very often. __________________ You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic. - Dr. House

09-19-13, 04:13 PM	#7
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	I've never had a desire to watch a "Reality" show, because they don't reflect reality. Well, there was one exception, which pitted real military and police specialists in simulated combat scenarios - Combat Missions, from 2002. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Missions And no, Top Gear is not a "reality" show, it's just real people doing what they love. Nor is any show that follows real people in their real lives. Those are documentaries. "Reality" shows feature people competing for a prize. Their real personalities play a part, but they're not doing real things. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

09-19-13, 04:35 PM	#9
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	I enjoyed Survivor the first years, had a friend get to play in Australia. I can't get into much anymore, but I'll watch it from time to time. I find it amazing that fake reality took over TV and continues to grow. I think it's scary that Americans have become so shallow that even their reality shows are scripted and fake. The acting is horrible as well as the shows. Yep, I do watch the Military channel, they still show a lot of CW era stuff. __________________ You see my dog don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it.

09-19-13, 05:18 PM	#11
soopaman2 Der Alte Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 3,316 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 0	My last favorite reality show was Deadliest catch. Even that in the past year or two has become manufactured. They raped Capt. Phils death to play up his drug addict son. Kept him around for TV value, despite the fact he had nothing to do with crab fishing. Disgusting. To this day I refuse to eat any crabs. I cannot eat something a man died to get, at a cheapo price. (fyi 10.99 $ a pound for leg clusters here) I catch my own, smaller but safer. (Softshell Bluecrabs rock) __________________ If Hitler invaded Hell I would make at least a favourable reference to the devil in the House of Commons. -Winston Churchill- The most fascinating man in the world.

09-19-13, 03:28 PM	#2
Fubar2Niner Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: London. UK Posts: 4,175 Downloads: 279 Uploads: 0	I have enough reality going on in my own lounge most nights mate. I can do without someone else's, if you get my drift. Grand-kids, kids, dogs, missus........... .... Forgot to mention, not necessarily in that order

09-19-13, 03:35 PM	#3
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	I'm not sure any more where to draw the line. Is Top Gear a reality show? Cuz I love that. I've also watched things like Project Runway and Top Chef on a regular basis, although they're not Must See TV for me any more. Yeah there's always interpersonal drama going on, but mostly I enjoy shows like that for the element of watching someone think up something and then make it. Also I usually learn stuff about how to do those things, which I enjoy. But stuff like Big Brother, Survivor, The Bachelor, American Idol... nope. Never have watched them (by choice) and never will. In fact the glut of reality shows back when they first started coming out is what made me stop watching "regular" broadcast television. I can remember a time when I'd turn on the tv and cycle through NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX to see what was on. And I can distinctly remember a time when I did that several nights in a row only to find almost nothing but reality shows like the ones noted above and whatever else they were putting on the air during that long writers' strike a while back. At that point I started hitting the cable channels as my primary options when channel surfing and just never went back, sadly many of those have since succumbed to the "reality craze" and most of what's usually shown on my old cable favorites is now of no interest either. And yes I'M LOOKING AT YOU, cough HISTORY cough CHANNEL.

09-19-13, 03:40 PM	#4
Fubar2Niner Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: London. UK Posts: 4,175 Downloads: 279 Uploads: 0	Kind of reminds you of Springsteens song; 57 Channels and nothing on

09-19-13, 04:12 PM	#6
BrucePartington XO Join Date: May 2013 Location: KM AM99 Posts: 405 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	I've given up tv altogether, for the reasons mentioned above. Still have it, but it's up for sale. The things I like I get from the internet. Occasionally I see some tv if it's on while I walk into a bar, but most times I look away, since now it's the same thing on and on and on, back to back. Soap operas, pseudo reality shows, silly contests, more soap opera.... Not to sound old-fashioned, but somehow I get the impression the 80's and early 90's were probably the best time for tv. Quality started to glide down after that. As some will remember, I do have the complete Sherlock Holmes tv series with Jeremy Brett, which I enjoy every other year. Out of nostalgia I also recently found myself watching Lovejoy (Ian Mcshane). I love the 'Tinker' character. Ironically I discovered the latest/last Star Trek tv franchise - Enterprise - on youtube. It never aired here. And because of that illegal upload I accidentally found, I actually ordered the complete series from Amazon. When I spent a week in London in 2007 I did enjoy the quality of public tv - BBC - which was a nice break away from Portuguese public tv. I suspect I wouldn't mind the 'crazy' UK tv tax everyone is talking about, if it meant better quality tv than what I have available here. Yes, I know, the grass is always greener on the other side

09-19-13, 06:41 PM	#15
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	The first round of the beginnings of reality TV (as we now know it) was fine, it was a new experience and it was full of people with good intentions. The second round declined into being full of self-publicising, get-rich-quick wannabes and it seemingly gets worse every time. And I never watch live telly, always record it and watch it later to skip any ads. The exception may be BBC's coverage of F1 - but they don't do ads anyway. And I don't watch any reality shows. Ever. __________________