Remember what I said more than a year ago about reality TV? Even if you haven’t read that old post, the title alone should convey my thoughts on the genre: Eating Camel Butt For Kicks. Not a big fan, in case you couldn’t tell.
But now that’s officially over, I can make a confession: I watched this most recent season of Big Brother. No. I didn’t watch it. I watched every episode and made plans around it. I know… I know. There’s something wrong with me. I need a good kick in the ass. Or maybe just a few volts of electricity applied directly to my brain.
In all honesty, I actually enjoyed it. It became a ritual for Mandy and Me and there were often celebratory acts of some kind involved (like pizza or ice cream or something). I got to the point where I would get irritated with the people on the show… or I’d try to figure out who was going to double-cross who… or some other intricate detail. I can’t deny that I got real involved. And after every episode we had to call my mom and check in with her to see what she thought about it… and then I’d do it again with my co-workers the next day.
I’ve already been informed that I’ll be watching Survivor this season. It starts in a couple of days. I can’t promise that I’ll watch the entire season. But I guess I’m going to at least give it a try. I mean… Big Brother surprised me. Maybe Survivor will too?
But when I start watching The Biggest Loser, please… put me out of my misery. Kill me.
6 Comments
You’ll have to let us know how the racial segregation goes. Maybe they’ll start a new trend. HA!
What’s funny/irritating about the whole segregation thing is that Survivor is able to get away with it. Any other venue that tried to do the same thing would be blasted, shunned, and probably sued. But Survivor can get away with it because… REALITY IS KING. LONG LIVE REALITY TELEVISION!
The first episode is over. Interesting. I’ll be writing a little about it before too long.
Well, just as a side note, several of their big advertisers did pull out of their contracts (including Home Depot, which I think was second only to Target).
So the show is “sort” of being shunned, though I wouldn’t be surprised if other less reputable companies jump right in BECAUSE of all the hoopla the segregation thing stirs up…which is why CBS decided to do it, I think.
I’m sure the hoopla is a big part of their choice. Even the players were talking about it. And I think you’re right: for every advertiser that tries to “make a statement” by pulling their ads, another will step up to fill in the void. People like controversy and when you combine it with “reality” television… well… you get the idea.
Now the commercials are playing up the one negative comment someone made in the first episode as if it was a huge deal. But I’m sure it’ll work to attract an audience!