Reality TV

You can call me whatever you want, but I prefer Ms. Critic.

What do we get out of watching reality TV? Perhaps, reality TV is so entertaining because someone else is putting his or her business on front street and there we are watching them in the comfort of our homes waiting to see what happens next. Maybe, we are reality TV junkies because we laugh at the reality TV personalities and not with them. Truly, they must know that we are laughing at them right? The question of the day is are we bombarded with too much real life entertainment?

My daughter who is almost thirteen years old has practically grown up watching reality TV shows? As a parent should I be concerned? Will she at the age of eighteen break her neck trying to land a spot on some dating show? Then, if this happens what if my daughter ends up being one of the girls who curses and smokes cigarettes or ends up in the hot tub with the eligible bachelor everyone else on the show is fighting for? It would be just my luck, she's the one who decides to take off her bathing suit and show the world only what God should see at eighteen. All the parents who feel me please say I.
What happened to family shows, are they disappearing before our eyes?

The good old families in action - Eight is Enough, Cosby Show, Family Ties and others. I always was excited to see what would happen between Mallory and Skippy on Family Ties. Or remember when the Cosby kids performed for their grand parents anniversary? How about when Joanie and Chachi got married, now that was a moment to remember. Would I be sounding too old if I wrote, "those were the days?"

Don't tell me that ABC, NBC, and FOX among others with their numerous reality TV shows are airing this because…we want to see it? Do I need to see Todd Bridges learning how to skate and watching him fall down numerous times? And they call that show "Skating With The Stars" what a joke. At least MTV's Made has a positive impact on the personalities. We actually see teenagers turn from geek to chic. For the most part, watching Made is a positive thing for teenagers, especially those who have low self esteem.

I don't know about anybody else but if I see another Blind Date personality take her top off or dance on top of a bar table for a guy she just met I probably will scream. Actually I plan on screaming loud enough for the networks to hear me. Reality TV has become Trash TV and they call Jerry Springer the worst show. Demanding quality programming is not a bad thing. Reality TV may not only be distorting the brain of our youth, but also may be eliminating possible jobs for aspiring actors and actresses. Look at it this way. You are an aspiring actor/actress and you major in Fine Arts, attend workshops, study and practice your craft. Five years from now you go out into the world and try to land an acting gig.

However, all the big networks are hiring reality TV personalities. What do you do? When the average Joe or Joelle can walk in from the street and be chosen as personalities on the new hit reality TV show titled, "Meet Your Next Door Neighbor" what makes your credentials so exciting? Let me answer, umm nothing. I know one thing demanding quality programming is a venture we all need to tackle.

Lastly, this goes out to ABC, NBC, FOX and others - if copy my fiction title "Meet Your Next Door Neighbor" and make it into a reality TV show, even if it is years from now, bottom line…I want my cut.

As always I end this review with -I believe in journalistic expression and freedom of the press. I will never through my reviews attempt to shove my beliefs down someone else's throat. I am a critic but this doesn't mean I am critical. To the best of my ability I will evaluate and review fairly. If I offend anyone in the process of telling it like I see it, well, it's never my intention to offend so therefore -
Get over it.

My final review of reality TV- it's JUNK.
Next Week: Eharmony And Other Love Sites. Hot or Not?