Ever since "Survivor" debuted on TV (back in 2000?) - I have been intrigued with reality TV shows. It was the birth of a brand new and exciting format that had not been accomplished on TV before. Well, Real World on MTV existed before that, but there was something new and novel about the Survivor concept. Survivor was the first show to take the unscripted concept and make it into a contest. Sort of a cross between a gameshow and a drama.Survivor's success in the ratings led to a deluge of copycat shows as the networks tried to capitalize on this new hot trend. At first there were only a few followers - Big Brother, Amazing Race, and Boot Camp were some of the early adopters. But soon, the spigot was turned on and shows were piled on top of shows until all you saw on TV was yet another new reality show. In fact, there have been over 300 reality shows released since then - if you don't believe me, visit this website - Reality TV Links
As with anything, a majority of these shows were just plain crap and disappeared after only 1 season (if they weren't cancelled before that). Subject matter has ranged from date/hook-up shows (Blind Date, The Bachelor), talent shows (American Idol, Dancing with the Stars), game-type shows (Who Wants to be a millionaire?, Weakest Link), makeover shows (Extreme Makeover, Trading Spaces), contest shows (Survivor, Apprentice), and shows that really don't have a point but to show people in real life situations (Real World, A Simple Life).
When reality shows were just getting started, I tried to make a point of watching at least the 1st episode of each one to see if I liked it. Pretty soon this became an impossible endeavor. After seeing some truly awful shows (Married by America anyone?), I gave up that idea and just watched the shows I liked. This narrowed it down quite a bit.
A few of these shows I continued to watch even though they weren't very good, but eventually I gave up on them. I used to watch Big Brother for a few seasons, but just couldn't stomach it after a while. I watched the first season of Biggest Loser, but haven't watched it since. I watched the Benefactor until it was cancelled. My biggest achievement is actually sitting through the whole season of Apprentice: Martha Stewart. Man was that awful! I did not watch the final episode however; someone told me it was not worth it and saved me the time.
Where has that left my reality TV show viewing? There are currently three reality shows on TV right now that I make a point to watch every week, three that I would watch if they came back, and one that I will watch on occasion, but don't care if I miss an episode.
Watch on Occasion:
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition - This is a great show and I watched most every episode last season. It is a feel good show and often a tear-jerker. However, the plot is always the same (find a family, build a house, show them the house), that I don't feel compelled to watch it every week.
Waiting for a Return:
30 Days - I was a big fan of the movie "Super Size Me" by Morgan Spurlock, so I made it a point to watch this series and I wasn't disappointed. The premise of the show was that he got someone to agree to take on a certain lifestyle for 30 days and tracked their progress. On one show, him and his wife tried to live off of minimum wage for a month. On another show, a Christian man was forced to live with a Muslim Family and partake in their faith. The show mixed humor and educational value (like his movie), and I would gladly tune in to a new season.
Rock Star: Inxs - In some ways I enjoyed this show better than "American Idol". Only 12 singers were selected from the beginning, so there were no really bad performances. The music was rock and not pop which was a refreshing change. The personalities of the contestants really shown through and made it memorable. I definitely think that this format should be repeated - the producers just have to find another well known band that is looking for a lead singer.
Apprentice: Trump - Although Trump is an arrogant SOB, he still provides for some entertaining moments of TV. The production values of the Apprentice rival that of Survivor. The personalities really get a chance to shine through in this show making for great drama. I am wondering how long Trump can continue to hire apprentices though... pretty soon he will have a whole staff of nothing but them. I can't imagine he won't be back with a new season this fall though.
What I am Watching Now:
Survivor - Survivor is in its 12th! Season and still going strong. The format is a proven winner and they mix it up just enough each season to keep my interest. I have seen every minute of every season. After 11 seasons, the surprises have gotten fewer and fewer as the show plays out basically the same each time, so I don't see the show lasting forever. However, it is a testament to a really good show to be on the air this long and I will continue to watch as long as they keep churning them out. A few suggestions - how about a medieval-themed survivor?, an Egyptian theme?, or survivor in a cold climate? - all ideas that they haven't been tried yet.
Amazing Race - I am a late comer to the Amazing Race having watched only the last two seasons. I can see why it is one of the top reality shows and continues to garner high ratings. I'm looking forward to the new season when it begins this month.
American Idol - Every year I say this will be the last time I watch this show and every year I get hooked on it again. This year is no exception. While watching the judges has grown tiresome and boring, the rest of the show is anything but as it is the contestants that really make the show. Seacreast does an ample job without going over the top. More than any other reality show, this one has the best build-up. You get to see hopefuls at their first audition and wonder if they will make it all the way to the end. This is probably the toughest show to win (except maybe for The Apprentice). This year I have an early favorite and he is my pick to win.
Three words:
Gray
Haired
Man
Is he the newest member of the Soggy Bottom Boys? Bring back that old-timey music!!
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