Overheard: Amartel
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Those housewives are a societal menace. The Kardashians, too. They lower expectations about behavior standards and raise expectations about entitlement. Trash, trash, trash 24/7. I do watch some tv, including occasionally Survivor which is a reality show..."
22 comments:
Reality TV is interesting in that most people find niche shows they like. I have never watched an episode of Survivor. I've watched a few of Housewives of NYC and one of Orange County. Not my cup of tea. In general I dislike reality tv, but I think it has some benefits, such as seeing how other cultures live. Like the Gypsy wedding show where the brides try to get the heaviest most ornate dress they can find. Some can barely drag it down aisle.
And Say Yes to the Dress I've watched at my daughter's request. You learn that there really is a perfect dress for every bride. I've also watched America's Top Model, again at the request of my daughter. And I was surprised to learn how interesting it was to set up the shoots, for the model to get the picture right, and that there really is a difference in the quality of the models' abilities/photos.
My favorite is still Project Runway.
It's strange what some people like. My sister likes the little people shows, and surpisingly
her kids love Duck Dynasty. I wasn't surprised my kids liked it. My kids also like The Biggest Catch.
I think mainly reality tv is about learning new things, voyeurism, and learning that though we're all different, we all have things in common.
Never watch it.
Look what it did to Bruce.
Being human? Not really a fan, and reality TV is a perfect example of why. I think I'd find my calling as a Bonobo
.
The Bravo Network as a whole has been a scripted reality show menace and that little fakakta Andy Cohen. He's the real muscle that has laid a giant turd on this genre and on the fabric of society as a whole. Not since the movie the Truman Show has reality TV really been a thing, but I harken back to real unscripted reality TV which was done back in the 50's and 60's with hidden camera shows. Now it's just scripted garbage passed off as reality, sure they really do fight, kick, and scream, but so what? It ultimately leads back to the summary wrap up show at the end of the season where all the crap gets stirred up again and everyone is left feeling empty afterwards like candy.
I just watch streaming shows now from netflix, amazon prime, Hulu+. i don't even watch broadcast television anymore and I'm glad. I'm almost caught up watching Spartacus and the second season of Daredevil hits netflix tomorrow, so YAY!!!
I think cable will be around a while for the oldsters without computer savvy, but I wonder how it will change...more expensive, a la carte channel choices, etc.
Bago, you animal.
Ed, I think Jenner did that to himself. Surely there must be at least ONE you watch.
If they know the camera is there it is NOT reality. It is simply very bad acting. Having conducted surveillance for over 3 decades, few know that better than I.
Candid Camera and Punked were reality TV.
I disagree. Yes, people know they're on camera, but it's basically unscripted. It's real because it's on the fly. And often idiotic as hell.
Punked and CC are set-ups. Filming a reaction to a set-up is not reality.
I think cable will be around a while for the oldsters without computer savvy
I have a friend who was trying to get his elderly relatives up to speed when OTA TV went from analog to cable. First he tried a digital converter box. They couldn't remember that you had to turn the box on, then the tv and you needed to control channel selection thru the box remote.
Then he tried cable tv and they couldn't handle that either. He finally bought them a digital flat screen and then they wailed that their were too many channels and wanted to go back to how it used to be.
I went through a similar scene with my elderly neighbors. When they became expert on the digital converter, their 25 year old Zenith console tv gave up the ghost. I helped them shop a new flat screen although they really balked at getting a 47 inch screen. ("That's TOO BIG!")
They went to a big box store where the sleazy salesman almost sold them a 24 inch screen with warranty and old tv removal for $925. They finally took my advice and I bought the tv online for less than $500. I got them a further discount when Amazon dropped the price later.
I wonder if I'll be like this when I get old?
deborah, As my old man would say, "If your going to talk out of your ass you should at least stand on your head."
The person who was the subject of Candid Camera and Punked DID NOT KNOW it was a setup and DID NOT KNOW there were cameras. So FOR THE SUBJECT, it was real and THEIR REACTION was real.
Your assessment of the current "reality" shows is almost as vapid as the shows. Kudos, you may get a show. The producers are always looking for new vapidity.
Ampersand, welcome to my world. My mom's doing pretty well with her cable box and tv, but it is a pain. I was at a hotel a couple weeks ago and they had a small remote with minimal buttons and about 15 channels...that would be ideal for older people if they could just choose their fave channels and have a very simple remote.
Nick, you're no fun, and obviously not in the mood for a philosophical discussion, so I will leave it there.
I'm actually a lotta fun and had enough credits in philosophy to qualify to teach it in high school. However, not one high school in WI. has philosophy on their curriculum. They all opt for psychology.
That's cool. I've was dabbling in philosophy (watching a lot of youtube videos). I'd love to get more serious about it, but you know me. Do you have a favorite philosopher?
People who hate TV so much are really silly.
Like Aquinas, Plato, Kant and Nietzsche, and Berra.
I also have always loved George Burns the comedian/philosopher. I learned something fascinating a few weeks ago. There is an old woman who lives on the beach in San Diego. She sits on the deck w/ her little dog. She is very tanned and looks like a raccoon when she takes off her sunglasses. I will chat w/ Sandy. I know her grandson, a 30 something surfer dude well. A great young man. I learned Sandy is the daughter of George Burns and Gracie Allen. She dated several comedians including Don Rickles. Sandy is a retired grade school teacher. I'm sure she has many stories. I am reluctant to pry. I've seen photos of Sandy w/ her parents @ Hollywood Park. George and Gracie loved the horses. Hey, maybe we could cash in and turn her last years into a reality show!!
Actually it is not a reality show producer who is violating her privacy. Just sayn'
The only people who are on reality shows are people who want to be on reality shows. For one reason or another.
I like Socrates, Kant, Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Derrida, etc. Dabbling, you understand.
Too cool about Sandy...did she give you her take on Rickles?
"The only people who are on reality shows are people who want to be on reality shows. For one reason or another."
Right.
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