Reply
Wed 2 Jun, 2004 12:47 pm
(I've not put this in the TV forum, as it is of a general nature.)
In England, the fifth series of the once highly-successful reality television programme, Big Brother, started; the 'cast,' if you can call that to them, reads like the kind of farce that might have been made if one mixed the bad sides of Kingsley Amis, Sheridan, and Simon Armitage, on bad days. Due to a slumping TV audience share, the people who made Big Brother, Endemol, decided to bang in a bunch of misfits, as you do-- bad gay caricatures; a few blondes with IQs of 75 and less; a disturbed troublemaking lesbian who wants attention; a potential rapist; the vulnerable; asylum seekers; exhibitionists. It seems as if this is the twenty-first century's answer to Bedlam, in that they've stuck a bunch of nutters together for cheap laughs. But is this mass laughter at others' misfortunes and, verily, dementias, acceptable? Should we pity those who want fifteen seconds of fame? At what point should such voyeurism end? I'd be interested in any thoughts about these questions or any others.
If people are doing it willingly; and watching it willingly; whatever.
I think its a deeply ingrained part of us, this social animal, to be interested in these social workings. This is the kind of thing that is a logical extension. Somebody thought of it, it worked, the formula was tweaked endlessly, and voila, an industry.
Evidently Los Angeles is running dry -- the same "Reality Show" contestants keep "auditioning" over and over again, and people like whatwashername on Paradise Island -- Toni? -- show up again and again.
I dunno, I think it will run its course eventually, as anything else that saturates the market does.
Drom, I've not watched a reality show in my life, but I concur that it is a type voyeurism. I will, however, make this one observation. Many folks who do watch them, tend to be those who like to see the rules broken, until it comes to their own reality.
Good points, you two! I'll write more-- but now, I must go teach a private class! I will be back as soon as possible with my responses...
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace