Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion

Do you like Reality TV?
I don't care for it myself.

In another topic, one of our members said:
"I don't care for the "reality programs" for the most part....stuff like Biggest Loser, Dancing with the Stars don't do a thing for me. If I'm watching TV, I want to watch something well crafted and interesting or funny."

I have to agree with her. How about you?

I don't know why they put the dreck on. Seems like a good torture device from the few seconds I've caught as I've flipped by or seen on ads.

Jim wrote: "I don't know why they put the dreck on. Seems like a good torture device from the few seconds I've caught as I've flipped by or seen on ads."

Yes, it's amazing that people are willing to subject themselves to being part of reality TV. I suppose they're looking for their 15 minutes of fame. Or maybe they're hoping to be discovered by a talent scout.

Seems to me that in some cases it may be a cheap way for the execs to produce a TV show, especially when they've run out of creative ideas.

Well, that's exactly it, it's far cheaper to put on one of those Reality shows than a scripted episodic series. I read something to that effect with regard to the new Jay Leno program only last week.
I stopped watching the Tonight Show when Carson went off though, I don't care for Leno's brand of humor a bit. Letterman has his moments, but not a lot of them, IMO.

Most of the shows like Big Brother, Survivor et als seem to simply be exploitive and bring TV watching to the lowest common denominator. I do confess to having watched Survivor's last show of the season. Sometimes. /grinning/

Joy, I don't understand why those people want to go on things like Dr. Phil and his siblings, but they expose themselves and make themselves fair game for whatever the "host" wants to throw at them. Seems degrading to me.

Pontalba wrote: "Well, that's exactly it, it's far cheaper to put on one of those Reality shows than a scripted episodic series. ... I don't understand why those people want to go on things like Dr. Phil and his siblings, but they expose themselves and make themselves fair game for whatever the "host" wants to throw at them. Seems degrading to me."

Yes, it does seem degrading. Perhaps they pay those people big bucks and the people need the money. Needy people are driven to do things they ordinarily wouldn't do.

Pontalba wrote: "Well, that's exactly it, it's far cheaper to put on one of those Reality shows than a scripted episodic series. I read something to that effect with regard to the new Jay Leno program only last we..."

Yes, I believe the cost savings are a big factor in why the reality shows are so prevalent. And their popularity means less scripted episodic series AND less quality as they try to save money on them. I hate it when a show I really like, say, The Sarah Connor Chronicles, gets cancelled so they put up a reality show. Further, I've always suspected that cancelling shows SOMEHOW puts money in the pockets of the tv execs.

Earl wrote: "Yes, I believe the cost savings are a big factor in why the reality shows are so prevalent..."

It's discouraging to see how TV has degraded into reality TV. However, there are still some good things on TV. Last night on the Ovation channel I watched a documentary about Leonard Bernstein.
http://www.ovationtv.com/programs/348
The webpage above says it will air again on Sun. 10/4/09.

There's a program tonight about Aaron Copland: Tues. 9/29/09 at 10 PM.
http://www.ovationtv.com/programs/282

So all is not lost.

Absolutely not. If nothing worthwhile is on tv, there are plenty of well-written books to read for entertainment and learning.

Linda wrote: "Absolutely not. If nothing worthwhile is on tv, there are plenty of well-written books to read for entertainment and learning."

And don't forget the DVDs and audio books available at the public libraries. :)

HATE IT! It's ruined television.

I watch Dancing with the Stars but only the 90 second Dance part, all the rest of it is twaddle; press that FF button.
I only watch it because I love Dancing and haven't been able to do it since my knee injury, I have to dance vicariously now.

I don't see what's so interesting about the rest of them though.

I don't mind informative ones like Dirty Jobs, because I usually learn something while watching it. I don't know if that would be considered 'reality'. I think of it more as a documentary style program.

Jackie wrote: "... I only watch it because I love Dancing and haven't been able to do it since my knee injury, I have to dance vicariously now. ..."

Jackie, I can sympathize with you because I'm in the same situation. Well, at least we can still walk. :) And we can still clap our hands to the rhythm of the music. :)