A boy I went to school with was once on reality tv.
I've never been a big fan of Survivor. I can't watch people eat bugs without losing my own stomach. It makes me nervous that they are sleeping on the ground in the middle of some random jungle. The idea of the show just isn't really interesting to me.
But I have watched and liked Discovery Kids' Survior knockoff, Endurance. For the most part, the shows are very similar. A group of kids get together at a different exotic location, they participate in challenges and try to make it to the end without getting voted out. There are some differences, though. For example, the kids are split up into two-person teams, and every week two teams get sent to "temple," where they compete for the right to stay. The challenges they take part in are not as extreme as Survivor, but they are difficult nonetheless.
I found the season Edurance: Fiji especially interesting because Ben Scheuer, who was a freshman at my high school at that time, was one of the shows participants. He and his partner Jordan actually ended up winning! He was a celebrity in our small town, and it was so cool to see him on screen. Some of his good friends even made shirts that read (Ben)durance. To be honest, I stopped watching the show after Ben's season, but during that time I felt special by association.
Another note: I think Endurance has a lot of great qualities Survivor doesn't. The show teaches teens how to work together and as part of a team. The challenges helps them discover how strong they really are and how much they can do when they try. These kids all become such great friends.
I'm not sure if Endurance is still on the air, but I think it had a lot of redeeming qualities, even though it was (is) a reality tv show.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Love isn't always blind
There is a show that plays on ABC called "Dating in the Dark," and it is actually pretty interesting. Not really the show itself, but what it says about society today.
For those of you who have no experience with this show, I shall explain: Three men and three women move into two seperate wings of a house for a week. Durring the week, they go up into the "dark room," where they get to know eachother and a group. Each person is eventually paired up with another, and they go on multiple dates in the dark room, where they talk about who they are as a person, what they do for a living, what they are looking for in a relationahip but never what they look like. One activity also takes place during the week. Sometimes, a sketch artist is brought in and draws the faces of each house guest according to what their significant other can explain about them (sometimes, these a scary accurate). On another episode, they got to go through a bin of clothes and guess, really, what their significant other's style was according to what they knew of them (never quite accruate).
At the end of the week, they decide if they want to see the other person in the light. With the couple standing opposite eachother, a light descends on them one at a time (while the other is still under the cover of darkness, so their reaction is not known to the now visible person.) They then finally decide if they want to continue their relationship.
This entire show is based off the idea that looks really matter in a realationship. I agree that looks do play a significant role in any relationship, but they should not be as important as society does. I have seen couples many times that have totally hit it off in the dark room personality-wise. They are close in age, similar in personality looking for all the same things in life. They seem to genuinely like eachother. Oh, but then one doesn't live up to the beautiful #10 they had pictured in their mind and the whole thing is called off. It is sad to see how many people are rejected just because of their looks. I don't know why anyone would go on this show and willingly subject themselves to that kind of hurt and humiliation. But it is so interesting to see how as a society, we really do value looks more than personality.
For those of you who have no experience with this show, I shall explain: Three men and three women move into two seperate wings of a house for a week. Durring the week, they go up into the "dark room," where they get to know eachother and a group. Each person is eventually paired up with another, and they go on multiple dates in the dark room, where they talk about who they are as a person, what they do for a living, what they are looking for in a relationahip but never what they look like. One activity also takes place during the week. Sometimes, a sketch artist is brought in and draws the faces of each house guest according to what their significant other can explain about them (sometimes, these a scary accurate). On another episode, they got to go through a bin of clothes and guess, really, what their significant other's style was according to what they knew of them (never quite accruate).
At the end of the week, they decide if they want to see the other person in the light. With the couple standing opposite eachother, a light descends on them one at a time (while the other is still under the cover of darkness, so their reaction is not known to the now visible person.) They then finally decide if they want to continue their relationship.
This entire show is based off the idea that looks really matter in a realationship. I agree that looks do play a significant role in any relationship, but they should not be as important as society does. I have seen couples many times that have totally hit it off in the dark room personality-wise. They are close in age, similar in personality looking for all the same things in life. They seem to genuinely like eachother. Oh, but then one doesn't live up to the beautiful #10 they had pictured in their mind and the whole thing is called off. It is sad to see how many people are rejected just because of their looks. I don't know why anyone would go on this show and willingly subject themselves to that kind of hurt and humiliation. But it is so interesting to see how as a society, we really do value looks more than personality.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Jon and Kate Plus Ei8ht
Ok, so I'm not a Jon & Kate Plus 8 person, and I hate that I've even resorted to blogging about it, but I do have a point to make so please keep reading. And I suppose it's just Kate Plus 8 now, huh? Anyway, I watched some episodes of this show while I was babysitting a neighbor girl, and found it slightly interesting, but totally uneccessary. Yes, the kids are cute but what is so special about them that they deserve their own show? I understand that having sextuplets is out of the ordinary, but puting your family in the public eye is dangerous. Since the show began, the couple has split up, the whole family has had trouble with paparazi (which they constantly complain about) and the kids have become dependent on the cameramen. I think it is sad to see how the show has warped the reality of those children; being in front of the camera is all they've ever known. But it can't be a show forever. How are they going to react when the cameras don't come back? I also see shows about other families raising multiple children (19 and Counting, Sextuplets) but I've heard far less about them on TV and in magazines.
What is our fascination with watching these particular shows? As you can tell by my previous blogs, I am fond of many reality TV shows, but this one I just don't understand. All it is is a family living their life. I live life too...I guess most people would say that they like these shows because it assures them that other parents are struggling with the same problems they are (albeit on a grander scale), and if they can get through them, anyone can.
I don't know, but I am deeply saddened by what Jon and Kate Plus 8 has become. The children might be left with large bank accounts, but at what cost to them? They are constantly working, constantly snapped by the paparazzi and have to deal with their parents divorce while on camera :(
What is our fascination with watching these particular shows? As you can tell by my previous blogs, I am fond of many reality TV shows, but this one I just don't understand. All it is is a family living their life. I live life too...I guess most people would say that they like these shows because it assures them that other parents are struggling with the same problems they are (albeit on a grander scale), and if they can get through them, anyone can.
I don't know, but I am deeply saddened by what Jon and Kate Plus 8 has become. The children might be left with large bank accounts, but at what cost to them? They are constantly working, constantly snapped by the paparazzi and have to deal with their parents divorce while on camera :(
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Big Brother is watching you.
That thought terrified me when I read it in George Orwell's "1984." The eye displayed on the front cover creeped me out, while adequately representing Orwell's statement. Orwell's society was one where everyone was under complete surveillance. Not only were their actions controlled, but their thoughts were monitored as well. But the people of Orwell's world were loyal to Big Brother, being brainwashed into feeling genuine love for him. Its a frightening thought, but have we actually created the world Orwell was predicting?
In 2000, CBS came out with their first season of "Big Brother," which was based off the concept of the constant-surveillance society in Orwell's book. Each season, 13 house guests come together and live in front of the cameras for the world to see. They participate in competitions to win food, money and power -- and the world can watch it all. The show airs three days a week, and there are webcams throughout the house so particularly interested viewers can watch the "action" 24/7. You can literally watch every house guest's every move. The only place the cameras are not allowed is the bathroom. This situation doesn't sound as sinister as Orwell's book described, because the viewers have essentially become "Big Brother" himself. We feel safer because we are not the ones being watched, but the ones watching.
In a study done in the Journal of Consumer Research, participants explained the appeal of the show to them. The thought of what the house guests were up to off camera was the main reason viewers came back for more. (This was until they added the webcam feature; "Off camera" is no longer an option.) But some people admitted that "Big Brother" was too real, and didn't provide the riveting entertainment they wanted.
I felt it was fitting to write about "Big Brother," since I just watched the finale of the 12th season (which my favorite house guest won). But I am starting to question whether "Big Brother," is simply mindless entertainment, or a sign of something more sinister as Orwell alluded to 61 years ago?
In 2000, CBS came out with their first season of "Big Brother," which was based off the concept of the constant-surveillance society in Orwell's book. Each season, 13 house guests come together and live in front of the cameras for the world to see. They participate in competitions to win food, money and power -- and the world can watch it all. The show airs three days a week, and there are webcams throughout the house so particularly interested viewers can watch the "action" 24/7. You can literally watch every house guest's every move. The only place the cameras are not allowed is the bathroom. This situation doesn't sound as sinister as Orwell's book described, because the viewers have essentially become "Big Brother" himself. We feel safer because we are not the ones being watched, but the ones watching.
In a study done in the Journal of Consumer Research, participants explained the appeal of the show to them. The thought of what the house guests were up to off camera was the main reason viewers came back for more. (This was until they added the webcam feature; "Off camera" is no longer an option.) But some people admitted that "Big Brother" was too real, and didn't provide the riveting entertainment they wanted.
I felt it was fitting to write about "Big Brother," since I just watched the finale of the 12th season (which my favorite house guest won). But I am starting to question whether "Big Brother," is simply mindless entertainment, or a sign of something more sinister as Orwell alluded to 61 years ago?
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Learning to give up control.
Wife Swap: one of the most ridiculous, but entertaining shows I've ever seen. The producers make sure to pick families that are polar opposites of eachother for the sake of drama. For example, in one episode you will have the typical, overbearing, uptight mother versus the mother who couldn't care less if her children showered or went to school. This strategy creates the most dramatic arguments and situations. Most of the time, the parents don't get along. No one wants to hear they way they do things isn't the best way (we all know what's best for us). It happens every episode, where the new mother obeys the rules, but the family adamently refuses. (come on people, it is only 5 days.) But at the end of the day when the families finally meet, everyone becomes great friends and admits that this experience has changed them.
As ridiculous as I sound saying this, I think we can learn something through all of this. I think Wife Swap clearly demonstrates the fact that opinions can and should change, that maybe our way is not always the best way. Maybe we can learn something from another person and how they live their life. Humans like to be in control of everything, all the time, and giving up that control is difficult; but sometimes we have to. I wish we didn't have to look to a reality TV show to learn this, but at least the value is shining through somewhere.
As ridiculous as I sound saying this, I think we can learn something through all of this. I think Wife Swap clearly demonstrates the fact that opinions can and should change, that maybe our way is not always the best way. Maybe we can learn something from another person and how they live their life. Humans like to be in control of everything, all the time, and giving up that control is difficult; but sometimes we have to. I wish we didn't have to look to a reality TV show to learn this, but at least the value is shining through somewhere.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
“Will you accept this rose?”
Well of course. Who would deny yet another week in the spotlight and a chance at love? You sign up for The Bachelor for one of these two reasons. I personally believe most "contestants" on the show sign up with genuine intentions, truly looking to find someone to spend the rest of their life with. But there have been some villains that have ruined the image of the show for everyone. Rumors have circulated that the show is scripted; that they let these "evil" people come on the show just to gain ratings. But I don't buy it. No, there haven't been many successful seasons, but there have been a few. So far, there have been 14 seasons of The Bachelor, seven of which ended in engagement. Only one of these engagements resulted in marriage (and it wasn't to the original winner, but I won't go in to that). The Bachelorrette has been more successful, with five out of six seasons ending in a proposal (with one successful marriage and one currently in the works). Despite the bad track record, ratings haven't dropped much and the show continues season after season after season.
Everybody has a desire to belong, be wanted and fall in love. I think that is a lot of the appeal of this show. You might have a hard time finding that special someone, but The Bachelor proves that fairy tales do exist and love is possible to find. These couples go on extravagant dates to places you only dream of going. They get to know each other so deeply, so quickly, and you feel like you get to know them too. All of a sudden, you know which one is perfect for the other and hope you can find someone exactly like that for yourself. It is human nature to want reassurance that your dreams are not impossible to achieve.
But then somebody gets hurt. We've seen the contestants who had hidden agendas (Wes and his country singing group, Roslyn and her affair with a cameraman, Jake and his hunger for continued fame and Justin with his wrestling career). But it doesn't seem to break the illusion; we still watch it. Season after season, ratings have proved that America can't get enough of Chris Harrison's "Ladies, this is the final rose tonight..."
After all of this, I will admit I am one of the show's faithful followers. I am sad when a couple breaks up, but what can you really expect from a show that practically forces proposal after only a few weeks of flashy, unrealistic dating? Despite this, I am a firm believer that most every contestant comes to the show with pure intentions and I truly root for those who do.
Everybody has a desire to belong, be wanted and fall in love. I think that is a lot of the appeal of this show. You might have a hard time finding that special someone, but The Bachelor proves that fairy tales do exist and love is possible to find. These couples go on extravagant dates to places you only dream of going. They get to know each other so deeply, so quickly, and you feel like you get to know them too. All of a sudden, you know which one is perfect for the other and hope you can find someone exactly like that for yourself. It is human nature to want reassurance that your dreams are not impossible to achieve.
But then somebody gets hurt. We've seen the contestants who had hidden agendas (Wes and his country singing group, Roslyn and her affair with a cameraman, Jake and his hunger for continued fame and Justin with his wrestling career). But it doesn't seem to break the illusion; we still watch it. Season after season, ratings have proved that America can't get enough of Chris Harrison's "Ladies, this is the final rose tonight..."
After all of this, I will admit I am one of the show's faithful followers. I am sad when a couple breaks up, but what can you really expect from a show that practically forces proposal after only a few weeks of flashy, unrealistic dating? Despite this, I am a firm believer that most every contestant comes to the show with pure intentions and I truly root for those who do.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Hate to love it.
Reality TV is a craze that won’t soon be over – to both my disgust and delight. ABC alone hosts The Bachelor, Dating in the Dark, Wipeout, Super Nanny, Wife Swap, Undercover boss and Dancing with the Stars (and this is not an exhaustive list!) It might not be to my better judgment to admit I’ve had an addiction to each of these shows at one point in time. But actually, reality TV is my guilty pleasure, and I guess I’m not embarrassed. In preparation for this post, I came up with at least 47 different shows classified as “reality,” and over 50 percent of them I enjoy on occasion.
My week seems to be in sync with the TV Guide. (That sounds pathetic, I know.) Three days a week are scheduled around my favorite show ever: Big Brother. Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday I get to watch my favorite houseguests eat, sleep, workout, laugh, cry, fall in love, argue and compete for money. I talk about “Meow Meow” and Britney as if they were my own best friends. I really can’t get enough and have even decided to sign up for next season (Ok not really, but that would be my only dream!) Monday night I have to catch the outrageously ridiculous drama that is Bachelor Pad, where the contestants fight – sometimes literally – for both love and cash. At least I keep Tuesdays and Fridays open for homework…
I love reality TV. But as much as I love it, I hate it. Why would I spend what little free time I have watching people? Truth is, I don’t even know. Why did I care who Ali gave the final rose to on the last season of The Bachelorette? I don’t know her. But all season I swooned over Chris from Massachusetts and was seriously outraged when Frank left Ali for his ex girlfriend.
Now, its not old news, but most of America seems to be just as caught up as I am. The last finale of CBS’s Survivor received ratings rivaling that of the Superbowl of that year! Seriously? What is this attraction we have to watching people eat bugs? I’m really not sure, but I do know its BB eviction night.
My week seems to be in sync with the TV Guide. (That sounds pathetic, I know.) Three days a week are scheduled around my favorite show ever: Big Brother. Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday I get to watch my favorite houseguests eat, sleep, workout, laugh, cry, fall in love, argue and compete for money. I talk about “Meow Meow” and Britney as if they were my own best friends. I really can’t get enough and have even decided to sign up for next season (Ok not really, but that would be my only dream!) Monday night I have to catch the outrageously ridiculous drama that is Bachelor Pad, where the contestants fight – sometimes literally – for both love and cash. At least I keep Tuesdays and Fridays open for homework…
I love reality TV. But as much as I love it, I hate it. Why would I spend what little free time I have watching people? Truth is, I don’t even know. Why did I care who Ali gave the final rose to on the last season of The Bachelorette? I don’t know her. But all season I swooned over Chris from Massachusetts and was seriously outraged when Frank left Ali for his ex girlfriend.
Now, its not old news, but most of America seems to be just as caught up as I am. The last finale of CBS’s Survivor received ratings rivaling that of the Superbowl of that year! Seriously? What is this attraction we have to watching people eat bugs? I’m really not sure, but I do know its BB eviction night.
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