Least Favorite Reality Shows

[Azrael52]

And no, you can't use "All of them" as an answer, sorry.

What about the one with Hulk Hogan?

[Erik Burnham]

And no, you can't use "All of them" as an answer, sorry.

What about the one with Hulk Hogan?

I'm not a rule guy.

All of them! Each and every one! From the ghost-scripted to the ones that try for poignant!

And for the record, I don't watch them -- but my mother does. And I have to sit and listen to play by play when I talk to her. "I don't care" being three words that break her heart.

You see what reality TV does? It tries to make me hurt my mother's feelings!

They suck!

(;

Couldn't resist. And really, they're all practically the same show. Here's hoping the fad goes the way of the 30 minute cigarette commercial.

-E
www.burnhamania.com

[jwmojo]

I'd go with "all of them" if that were an option. Since it's not, I guess I'll say Survivor, since its success can be blamed in part for the invasion of television by these programs.

In my opinion, reality TV is all about bringing out the worst in people, and I just don't really like seeing that. Watching people manipulate and position and stab each other in the back is not, to me, made more compelling by the fact that it isn't scripted fiction. And, truth be told, I don't really even watch scripted fiction whose primary focus is the scheming, sneaky side of humanity.

I should say that shows like American Idol don't really inspire the same feelings of disgust in me. I don't watch them either, but I don't have the same moral objections to straight up telent competitions.

[Magneto_X]

Growing Up Gotti. I *hate* that family. Nothing more then moronic, greedy, self-absorbed, arrogant attention whores.

JW:

Survivor technically isn't a "reality show", it's a game show.

[sk716]

And no, you can't use "All of them" as an answer, sorry.


I hate them all and you know it. It's unfair of you to eliminate my answer as a way of excluding me from this thread.

I posted anyway, so nyah!

[jwmojo]

The Gotties show. I *hate* that family. Nothing more then moronic, greedy, self-absorbed, arrogant attention whores.

JW:

Survivor technically isn't a "reality show", it's a game show.

It occurred to me while I was thinking about it that it might technically be considered a reality game show, so I think you're probably right. But the roots of the reality show movement can be traced directly to that show (although the true start was probably MTV's Real World), so I'll leave my vote with Survivor.

I pretty much hate them all equally, though.

[Oracle_0128]

There are reality shows that are plain horrible....

And reality shows that are so bad you have to watch them...

HORRIBLE AND TURN THE CHANNEL:
Survivor
The Gotti thing
Celeb Fit Club


TRAINWRECKS THAT HAVE ME HOOKED:
Breaking Bonaduce
My Fair Brady
Surreal Life

The worse the show, the more compelled I am to watch it. Speaking of...anyone see the last episode of Breaking Bonaduce? Were the slits on his wrists for real or what???....

[TheLyle]

In my opinion, reality TV is all about bringing out the worst in people, and I just don't really like seeing that. Watching people manipulate and position and stab each other in the back is not, to me, made more compelling by the fact that it isn't scripted fiction. And, truth be told, I don't really even watch scripted fiction whose primary focus is the scheming, sneaky side of humanity.

I'd say that the manipulation is more a matter of stupid producers scraping the bottom of the barrel for "drama". IMO, most of the reality competition shows (Survivor would be an exception here) are just elaborate game shows, ones that could be very compelling without casting 'look at me' drama queens. When The Amazing Race hasn't included the typical grandstanding reality TV types, it's been quite compelling. I wish reality TV producers realized that an interesting game can make for a very exciting reality competition show, especially when the game is somewhat glamorous like Amazing Race.

Recently (and to my surprise), Beauty and the Geek was a really fun competition show, one that included a minimum of personality conflict.

I should say that shows like American Idol don't really inspire the same feelings of disgust in me. I don't watch them either, but I don't have the same moral objections to straight up telent competitions.

Well, IMO there are two American Idols -- one is a show mostly about humiliation where people who don't realize what awful singers they are get insulted on national television, then there's the talent competition.

As for my least favorite reality shows, I'd say anything from Fox, who's reality shows seem to wallow in people's worst natures. (Like Hell's Kitchen, which was often edited to cut to other contestants smirking whenever someone screwed up.) Most "celeb-reality" shows also aren't my cuppa, mostly because the "celebrities" who have done reality shows aren't people I find worth spending time.

[Magneto_X]

It occurred to me while I was thinking about it that it might technically be considered a reality game show, so I think you're probably right. But the roots of the reality show movement can be traced directly to that show (although the true start was probably MTV's Real World), so I'll leave my vote with Survivor.

I pretty much hate them all equally, though.

Actually the Real World is responsible for the "Reality genre". Survivor just used bought the idea to the maintream. Although Survivor is closer to Road Rules then Real World in concept.

A & E has the best "Reality Shows", IMO. They have Dog The Bounty Hunter, Family Plot and The First 48. All great shows.

[Magneto_X]

IMO, most of the reality competition shows (Survivor would be an exception here) are just elaborate game shows, ones that could be very compelling without casting 'look at me' drama queens.


Why don't you consider Survivor a game show? The "contestants" compete with each other for a "prize". Isn't that, by definition, a game show?

[TheLyle]

Why don't you consider Survivor a game show? The "contestants" compete with each other for a "prize". Isn't that, by definition, a game show?

Actually, I meant that I don't include Survivor amongst the reality competition shows that would be compelling without relying on personality conflicts. The rules of the game (specifically the Tribal Council) tends to encourage backstabbing and scheming... unlike shows like The Apprentice or The Mole where the eliminations appear to be based on performance in the game activities.

I do miss The Mole, that was a fun show.

[Magneto_X]

Actually, I meant that I don't include Survivor amongst the reality competition shows that would be compelling without relying on personality conflicts.

My mistake.


The rules of the game (specifically the Tribal Council) tends to encourage backstabbing and scheming... unlike shows like The Apprentice or The Mole where the eliminations appear to be based on performance in the game activities.


Just means the rules are more vicous. Just because the format is slightly changesd doesn't mean its not a game show.

[TheLyle]

IMO, most of the reality competition shows (Survivor would be an exception here) are just elaborate game shows, ones that could be very compelling without casting 'look at me' drama queens.

What I meant, here, was that Survivor was an exception to my classification of reality competition shows as 'elaborate game shows that would be very compelling without casting schemers and backstabbers'... I still see Survivor as an elaborate game show, just one with vicious rules that perfer players who are skilled at scheming.

[Davideaux]

The Real World has been awful since Las Vegas. Some seasons have been horrendous (San Diego, Las Vegas) and some have been boring (Paris).

[TomGun13]

The Gene Simmons Rock School show is pretty good. I like it. As for the worst....Growing Up Gotti! Those kids need a severe ass kicking.

[Lex]

And no, you can't use "All of them" as an answer, sorry.Aw man! But they're all so crappy! :D

[Vendetta]

Reality TV hurts my hands. I keep trying to reach through the screen and gouge out the participants' eyeballs with my thumbs.

[Just_A_Rat]

I dislike most shows that involve cruelty. What I mean by that is that I don't enjoy the shows that go out of their way to hurt people, or to make people the object of ridicule. I also don't like "The Swan" or other shows that prey upon peoples' poor self image. For that same reason, I find some episodes of "The Surreal Life" excellent, and others almost unwatchable. I remember the talent show from the original season with great fondness, for instance.

I do like Survivor, most of the time. I loved the Mole. I thought that might have been the greatest Reality/Game hybrid ever. In part because it was well thought out, it included some great destinations, and the people who were on it seemed like normal people.

I have no patience, whatsoever for The Simple Life, or any "follow the life of this celebrity" type shows. They just do not interest me, and don't seem to bear any resemblance to any "reality" that I know, in my limited experience with them.

[Boldido]

I thought all reality TV shows were the same, crap, until I stumbled across a show on MTV. I have only watched one episode and I still have nightmares. This show was able to make me nauseated, infuriated, meloncholy and just generally pessimistic about the future of this country all at the same time, with an intensity that would rival the most out of control nuclear (or nucular for you "W" fans") reaction.

"My Super Sweet 16" is a show about sweet sixteen birthday parties being thrown for children who are obviously being given more money than real parenting by the creatures that are raising them. It shows spoiled kids being catty and nasty, abusing their families, and acting like the world revolves around them. There is no way this show could end in anyway that is satisfying for the viewer, short of an alien popping out of these brats fucking stomachs, ala Alien.
MTV is evil. MTV must die. As a kid who grew up with MTV from its infancy, its like watching someone who was a friend in school drift away and start shooting heroin to the point that you want nothing to do with them and you are just left to wonder when death will grant it its sweet merciful boon.

[TheLyle]

MTV is evil. MTV must die. As a kid who grew up with MTV from its infancy, its like watching someone who was a friend in school drift away and start shooting heroin to the point that you want nothing to do with them and you are just left to wonder when death will grant it its sweet merciful boon.

Oh, yes, I can't stand the vast majority of what airs on MTV. So much of it is trash.

However, The 70's House was such fun. Horrid humiliation moments aside, the series was just so much fun -- as it featured several youths challenged to live like it were the 70's. The show was partially culture shock (it was interesting to see a time I vaguely remember from the perspective of people born after it) and part wallowing in 70's campiness. The only parts I didn't like were "twists" where it turned out they had to do 70's-themed activites in modern facilities (like the disco dancing competition that was held in a hip hop club). Those "twists" had zero entertainment, but was thanfully short.

[blackcanary_416]

Survivor (Did like Australian Outback though)
Amazing Race
Big Brother
Hogan Knows Best (Psychotic Repunzel type thing going on there)
and Apprentice.

[Gail Simone]

I like Survivor and American Idol, for reasons unknown. I watched the Surreal Life and wanted to take a bath. Never again.

Gail

[CURSD BLADE]

They are all so insipid, uninspired, and blatantly over-the-top that it would be a stretch to call any of these programs "reality". I find that, when I watch a show like Growing up Gotti or Laguna Beach, I feel like like I have lost a bit of intelligence as a result. These shows are all mind-numbing, but not in the good way. So I choose not to watch them.

Then again, this is the opinion of an 18 year old college student whose viewing habits all consist of cartoons: (JLU, Batman: TAS, Superman: TAS, Agua Teens, Family Guy, Sea Lab)

[Cam63]

The dating show with the " ugly " guys dating the good looking sheila and the other one with the dwarf.

Drowning in boiling pig shit would be too good for the bastards responsible.

[Cam63]

I like Survivor and American Idol, for reasons unknown. I watched the Surreal Life and wanted to take a bath. Never again.

Gail

I'm guessing it's because they challenge both the contestants' talent and stamina. If they lose, it's with some dignity that they gave their best.

I've heard enough of The Surreal Life and no desire to watch it.

[the4thpip]

I thought it could not get worse than The Swan, and then "I want a famous face" came along.

[Lunar Daydreamer]

'Brand name'...where people study graphitti, develop their 'tag' and in a red indian like ceremony, chose their spirit animal and 'brand' their chosen animal with a hot iron featuring their symbol.

[TheLyle]

I'm guessing it's because they challenge both the contestants' talent and stamina. If they lose, it's with some dignity that they gave their best.

I'd agree that both shows have that potential and often live up to it.

Along those lines, did anyone see Amish in the City? I checked it out after hearding good reviews and I liked it quite a bit. It was surprisingly mature and very spiritual. The scene where they go to the beach and one of the amish girls is moved to tears over the wonder of it all, something I mostly take for granted, was very powerful.


I've heard enough of The Surreal Life and no desire to watch it.

Same here.

BTW, who likes faux-reality shows like Wanda Does It and The Comeback?

[TCJohnson]

What about that one about the people living in a very small house? That one is just dumb.

[Magneto_X]

What about that one about the people living in a very small house? That one is just dumb.

The one used in the Geiko commercial? That was actually real? :eek:

That wife was *hawt*.

[Azrael52]

Drowning in boiling pig shit would be too good for the bastards responsible.

Cam: PM me later and we'll put this show together.

For the record, my favorite reality show is Drawn Together.

What do you mean "that's not real"? It's as real as the rest of 'em!

[Cam63]

Oh, yeah ! That's a pretty good show.

[Casali]

I really can't stand reality shows, but I have watched an episode or two of several of them just to see what all the fuss is about. Didn't help.

That said, I loved, loved, LOVED the Joe Schmoe shows, season 1 especially. Ralph Garman is my hero.

[Azrael52]

Oh, yeah ! That's a pretty good show.

I think Drawn Together Season 1 is out on DVD and season 2 is comint on TV soon. I thought it had gotten cancelled, but guess not. Cool.

[Suzanne]

All of them. The only reality show I watch is the mother of them all - COPS :evilsmile

[Weetomuncher]

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Is the worst show ever made. :eek:

For all you non-Brits, the idea of the show is that a group of Z-listers are flown to the outback in Australia and have to live in horrible conditions and do challenges that normally involve insects or other horrible creatures. Almost always someone escapes the camp because they can't take any more. It is a bit of a Survivor rip off in ways.

I remember one of the 'celebrities' went missing for almost a full day after leaving and there was a genuine thought that he may have been in real danger. I was hoping a crocodile would eat him. :rolleyes:

weeto

[Ian Boothby]

Cancer Hoax. That show is just mean. I mean they'd removed almost all of that guy's bowel before they told him it was a joke.

[Patient Boy]

Cancer Hoax. That show is just mean. I mean they'd removed almost all of that guy's bowel before they told him it was a joke.

Is this an actual show?