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« Maryland's Anti-Gay Governor | Main | Liberals Not Eggheaded Enough? » May 23, 2005Extreme Makeover, TV Lineup EditionI am disappointed that more people didn't answer "reality TV" in the newest Caesar's Bath meme, because it would have dovetailed nicely with FOX's announcement of a largely reality-free fall primetime schedule and my plan to comment on the announcement. I was most interested in Arrested Development getting picked up for the fall. Anyone who has yet to watch it, give it a shot. Funny, smart, etc. More importantly, FOX's announcement gives additional credibility to the months-old rumble that we are entering an era of reality TV anti-proliferation, after which only the big reality shows (Apprentice, Idol, Survivor, Amazing Race) will be left in network primetime. This development will not significantly affect my viewing habits, but it does give me renewed faith in the independence of the American mind. If The Man can't force-feed us even our lowest common denominator (television) for too long without us growing bored, we must still be capable of some degree of independent thought. What will replace reality as the new TV fad? My money's on Desperate Housewives knock-offs. Whatever it is, each network will have a version or two to try to sell us on. In related news, the sub-genre of unwatchable reality show has hit rock bottom with the announcement of Dancing with the Stars, which pairs a celebrity with a professional dancer for hours of stepping on each others' feet. Blah. Posted by Adam Packer at May 23, 2005 11:08 AM CommentsReality TV is like a microcosm of American Indulgence culture. We find something we like. In this case, shows like Cops, Real World, and Survivor. People like them. Them all of the sudden every conceivable variation floods TV and we gorge ourselves on Reality until we get sick and throw up all over the TV. We have to completely stuff ourselves with something we like until we can't stand it anymore. It's just like drugs or food or anything else. For some reason, the art of moderation is lost to many of us. Frankly, I think they've stopped making reality shows because there's nothing else to watch besides maybe people going to the bathroom. The only thing left to do is a meta-reality show, which would be a reality tv show about reality tv shows and the people who watch them. Posted by: Phil Aldridge at May 23, 2005 01:37 PM | permalink I think they're just going to have to get it over with and show us snuff films before we'll be sated with "reality" TV. Posted by: Doug at May 23, 2005 02:22 PM | permalink I've watched "Arrested Development" and I don't find it funny at all. Mildly amusing? At best. But not even close to a gutbuster. Considering the depth of my oeurve -- I'm a fan of "Family Guy," "The Simpsons," "South Park" Chris Rock jokes, old Redd Foxx comedy albums and even more subtle, dry Britcoms -- I have to say if I don't find it funny, it probably isn't. That said, people should watch for themselves. If they can bear it. Posted by: RiShawn Biddle at May 24, 2005 02:14 PM | permalink Post a comment |
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