This is why I don't watch TV

[Gemini Cricket]

I think I caught someone's cold at Disneyland last night and now I'm in a foul mood.
With that being said, I was surfing YouTube and watched a short clip from a reality show called "The Bad Girls Club". Here it is. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ga3UfUemxU)
So, I'm watching it and thinking WTF?
What the hell is this?

So, to give it a shot, I watched maybe the first two episodes of this season. (It's on its second season.) And I'm just so pi**ed off I can't believe it.
http://www.badgirlsclubonoxygen.com/
Hookers, porn stars, gangbangers, ex-cons all sharing a house together. Uh, this passes for entertainment now? What the hell is going on?

I haven't watched cable tv or network tv in awhile and now I see this. This country has gone nuts. This is a top rated show on Oprah's Oxygen network. I'm just stunned, angry and frustrated.

This show puts women, minorities in a foul light. Trash. All this money, energy and tv time could have been used showcasing people who deserve to be held on a pedestal.

I mean, I'm not naive, I know why shows like this do well. It's fun to watch a trainwreck. But this show is a great big turd. And I'm as open-minded as the next guy, but I refuse to think that the TV viewing world is this dumb.

I can't wait for the whole reality thing to die, because it deserves to.

[€uroMeinke]

Do they get naked?

[Alex]

It's on Oxygen so keep in mind that it is empowering to women. Or something. I'm sure it makes Oprah proud (is she still connected to the nextwork?).

I've never actually seen it but the occasional clips on The Soup are more than enough to convince me that I don't need to. I hate to cast a pox on the entire house of Reality TV since there really are some good reality shows. But I think I'd be willing to give up The Amazing Race and Top Chef and Project Runway if it would mean never accidentally stumbling across Surreal Life or Big Brother or Local News.

[Gemini Cricket]

Do they get naked?

Well, of course they do. It's what you do on reality shows when you all move into a house and there's a pool.
:D



Okay, here's more. From what I've seen so far, none of this is a cautionary tale to any of the women on the show or anyone watching. There are no lessons learned, no message to the girls watching at home that these women are people you don't want to be like. So, hey kiddies, if you want to be on TV and make a little money be a druggie, slut, hooker, ex-con... that'll get you on the Oxygen Channel.

[cirquelover]

We caught a couple minutes on tv one night, that was more than enough for me!!

I know times change and all but I'd really love a prime time show I could watch with my boy. I know it's not going to happen. That's why we record shows he likes and then watch them in the evening together.

It is sad what passes for entertainment though.

[€uroMeinke]

So, hey kiddies, if you want to be on TV and make a little money be a druggie, slut, hooker, ex-con... that'll get you on the Oxygen Channel.

Uh, but isn't that the reality?

It's not like good grades and a wholesome attitude will get you on TV

[Gemini Cricket]

Uh, but isn't that the reality?

It's not like good grades and a wholesome attitude will get you on TV
Yes.
There are people achieving and making money in this world and they shouldn't be. imho.

(And I cross out the "h" because there ain't nothin' humble about my opinion right now.)
:D

[Gemini Cricket]

So, I've been watching this show.
And it just gets worse and worse.
In the last couple of episodes, these ladies have peed in the kitchen sink, stuck food up their asses, one girl tries to piss in the mouth of her date for the evening and one girl talks about how she stole money from a rich girl at a club because she deserved the money more than her.
Wow.
I'm waiting for the redeeming episode where we learn something. Yeah, not happening so far.

[NickO'Time]

I hear what you are saying here GC. And too be frank, I'm absolutely tired of reality shows.

Was TV really that bad off that it needed to go this direction?

[€uroMeinke]

And yet, think of the ratings they get just from folks like GC watching out of indignation

[Gemini Cricket]

Oh, it's addicting. I'm waiting for the 'moment of redemption' for one or all of them.

One girl decided to leave the show because the experience was beneath her. Okay, that's one smart move.

One girl decides to give AA a try. But then the others exploit her sobriety by making her go to the clubs, watch them drink and then force her to drive them home.

Two girls get into a fist fight and are forced into anger management therapy.

So, I'm seeing this attempt to make the first 10 episodes be the before and the rest the after. But I'm still not convinced.

But I also feel like I shouldn't comment to the network without watching it all.

It's trash. Addictive trash.

[Gemini Cricket]

Oh and each episode is 9 min and 45 seconds. (!!!) Uh, aren't half hour shows supposed to be 22 minutes with 8 min of commercials?

[blueerica]

I actually have never been able to get 'into' that show, and likely never will. I like a few reality shows, but generally I like them in the 'redeeming' category.

I hate to see bad behavior rewarded... at least the show's title is correct.

[Chernabog]

Oh, it's addicting. I'm waiting for the 'moment of redemption' for one or all of them.


I thought this was about you *not* watching TV, not about you getting sucked into a trashy show lol

I don't channel surf or watch random stuff on TV (there was a period of 3 or so years where I didn't even watch ANY television except if there was something big happening and I needed to see the news). Now, I watch Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, and Battlestar Galactica. All of which are on abc.com or scifi.com. Honestly if my roommate didn't watch TV I would just cancel my cable account altogether.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

God bless TiVo, which allows us to watch whatever we want, whenever we want it - and more importantly - doesn't require us to bump into any other TV while waiting for the good shows to come on.

One of the 'good' shows we watch is (as Alex mentioned) - The Soup. The entirety of reality TV that we watch is in that 22-minutes of snark about how stupid the TV world can be. So I've seen small snippets of the Bad Girls show and it confirmed what I've thought from the very early part of this trend - that the networks are base and people like lowest-common-denominators. (It was 'Temptation Island' that gave me that opinion, and every skanky reality show that followed, right on through 'Whore of Love' and 'Moment of Truth.')

Because, to me, enjoying watching somebody's train wreck is just as admirable as, say, cruelly making fun of someone. Does it really make you feel any better about yourself? Not me.

I understand you want to make an informed statement about the show, GC. But... do yourself a favor. Stop watching; you've got the drift, and it isn't going to make you any less angry after the rest of the episodes than it did after the first one.

[alphabassettgrrl]

It is sad what passes for entertainment though.

I'm absolutely with you here.

Oh and each episode is 9 min and 45 seconds. (!!!) Uh, aren't half hour shows supposed to be 22 minutes with 8 min of commercials?

Gypped! I agree.

God bless TiVo, which allows us to watch whatever we want, whenever we want it - and more importantly - doesn't require us to bump into any other TV while waiting for the good shows to come on.

One of the 'good' shows we watch is (as Alex mentioned) - The Soup. The entirety of reality TV that we watch is in that 22-minutes of snark about how stupid the TV world can be. So I've seen small snippets of the Bad Girls show and it confirmed what I've thought from the very early part of this trend - that the networks are base and people like lowest-common-denominators.

Sad but true. I love my TiVo for that same reason. I hadn't heard of The Soup but I despise reality tv. I watched The Amazing Race for a bit, got started because a friend was on it, but then I lost interest. They do go cool places and do ... odd things, but I don't care about any of the people.

[Kevy Baby]

So, I've been watching this show.
And it just gets worse and worse.
In the last couple of episodes, these ladies have peed in the kitchen sink, stuck food up their asses, one girl tries to piss in the mouth of her date for the evening and one girl talks about how she stole money from a rich girl at a club because she deserved the money more than her.
Wow.
I'm waiting for the redeeming episode where we learn something. Yeah, not happening so far.Sounds like my kind of show!

[JWBear]

(I kinda got hooked on Gay, Straight, or Taken.....)

[Gemini Cricket]

Oh no, I've stopped watching it. It's horrible.

[Disneyphile]

We caught a glimpse last night, and stomached about 5 minutes before I wanted to vomit. Ick.

TV really is taking a turn for the worst these days, especially with shows like this, and "Moment of Truth". They should just call the latter, "Sell Your Soul!" because it'd be more accurate.

I hope people still want cool programs like the series we're producing. We're concentrating on historical fact, and refuse to include any kind of political or religious spin or personal opinions. I wonder if people will even want to watch stuff like that these days.

[CoasterMatt]

I only watch The History Channel, Discovery, Universal HD, HD Net Movies and occasionally watch the Military Channel (just the weapons tech shows).

But I guess I'm not a normal TV viewer.

[Kevy Baby]

I watch shows that I wouldn't otherwise be interested in just because they are in HD and have pretty pictures. Sad but true.

[CoasterMatt]

I watch shows that I wouldn't otherwise be interested in just because they are in HD and have pretty pictures. Sad but true.
That happens from time to time, too.

Anybody else watching "Ax Men"?

[Disneyphile]

Ken and I have taken a liking to "Transamerican Love Story" on Logo. We totally love Calpernia, because she's such a diva and damn funny. :snap:

[Alex]

I have never heard of that show, but I have decided it is about two star crossed cogs in a SF Financial District cubicle farm trying to find fortune and a $3 martini while in each other's arms.

Please don't disabuse me.

[BarTopDancer]

Craptastic reality TV shows are all over the place while decent TV shows like Las Vegas, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Jericho and Arrested Development get the ax.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I have never heard of that show, but I have decided it is about two star crossed cogs in a SF Financial District cubicle farm trying to find fortune and a $3 martini while in each other's arms.

Please don't disabuse me.

And don't forget their diatribes about loving each other meaning they never have to say they're sorry. (The title includes the words "Love Story," after all.)

[Alex]

Well, one decent show got the ax.

I don't really blame the networks for the glut of reality shows. They are cheap to produce and offer an incredible ROI, even the low rated ones. TV is painfully democratic. As good as it was, Arrested Development cost much more to make than Temptation Island and pulled in fewer viewers.

NBC's fall schedule pulls back somewhat from reality and puts more emphasis on scripted shows. Let's see if they're rewarded for it.

[Chernabog]

Good news BTD, there's talks for a SECOND revival of Jericho from the dead!! I read about it on imdb :) (so it must be true) :)

[Capt Jack]

I think the thread title says it all....in fact, too much.

it needs to be reduced to

"don't watch TV"

[wendybeth]

I very, very seldom do. I prefer to blow things up on the X-box, tyvm.

[Alex]

I think that's too simplistic. Kind of like saying "don't read books" because of the crap sold at airport newsstands. Or don't look at art because of Thomas Kincaid. Or don't listen to music because Hansen was successful.

There is a lot of quality entertainment and art on TV. In fact, ignoring the glut of reality I'd say we're in something of a golden age for scripted dramas (and the coma sitcoms have fallen into has prompted interesting experimentation).

[BarTopDancer]

Good news BTD, there's talks for a SECOND revival of Jericho from the dead!! I read about it on imdb :) (so it must be true) :)

Ya, they're hoping USA, SciFi or FX picks it up. I gave up hope a while ago though.

[cirquelover]

That happens from time to time, too.

Anybody else watching "Ax Men"?

Of course! Being from Oregon, I think it's required;) Actually it reminds Gary of stories his father told him when he was a logger. I still know a couple people who do that for a living.

[RStar]

I hate most reality shows. The only one I liked was "On The Lot".

[Kevy Baby]

I hate most reality shows. The only one I liked was "On The LoT".We had our own reality show?:D

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I think it's blatantly obvious to anyone with half a brain that being on a show like that isn't a "being rewarded". It's "getting exactly what you deserve". As for getting paid, most of them aren't paid. Even if they are, the awful psyche repercussions from being on one of these insane shows more than make up for it.

Perhaps instead of prisons, we could make "TV shows" that involve putting a bunch of insane people in a house together and filming them. That way they stay out of our hair voluntarily. It even works for non-criminals who are just stupid, full of sh1t and annoying. I'd rather they were in some obscene mansion tearing each other's hair out than serving me fast food.

[BarTopDancer]

If the TV shows can be closed circuit TV that doesn't require actual air time. Or maybe there should be a Reality TV station. No more reality on network television.

[Gemini Cricket]

I wonder what televising life in the LoT commune would be like?
:D

[€uroMeinke]

I wonder what televising life in the LoT commune would be like?
:D

I don"t know, but if we pitch it right maybe someone will bankroll the whole thing for us

[JWBear]

I wonder what televising life in the LoT commune would be like?
:D

Lots and lots of bacon eating.

[innerSpaceman]

I despise reality tv. I watched The Amazing Race for a bit, got started because a friend was on it, but then I lost interest.
Heheh - me, too. I stopped watching one season after my friend was on it. It's a good show though. NOT REALITY TV AT ALL, btw. It's a game show. No one is shown in a domocile or mating situation. They are all involved in an elaborate competition. Just because it doesn't take place on some loud studio set doesn't make it Reality TV.

:snap: So I can proudly say that, even though I watched two seasons of The Amazing Race, I've never watched any reality TV. Blech.


I hope people still want cool programs like the series we're producing. We're concentrating on historical fact, and refuse to include any kind of political or religious spin or personal opinions. I wonder if people will even want to watch stuff like that these days.
Will there be skin?? :)


Lots and lots of bacon eating.
Um, that's not gonna be the ratings magnet you think it is. We're gonna have to get Not Afraid drunk, set Cadaverous and Delight loose on the general population of established couples, and lock me and zapppop in a room in, oh, about another month.

:eek:

[blueerica]

I think it's blatantly obvious to anyone with half a brain that being on a show like that isn't a "being rewarded". It's "getting exactly what you deserve". As for getting paid, most of them aren't paid. Even if they are, the awful psyche repercussions from being on one of these insane shows more than make up for it.



I don't know... I guess I just view people, particularly the ladies on Bad Girls Club, to be in it for the attention. I have found so many times in my life that there are certain people that crave attention, positive and negative, and this fulfills that need for them, even if the need is so deeply embedded in their psyche it's not entirely apparent to them, which was probably damaged far before they made their first appearance on the show.

And then there are the people that love to watch that kind of thing...

BTD - as far as a reality TV channel, I know there's one out there - I remember it was in the FOX family. But, it also has more of the game show-type reality as well. I remember that's how I even saw Temptation Island the couple of times I ran across it. They even had some British and Aussie reality TV.

[katiesue]

That happens from time to time, too.

Anybody else watching "Ax Men"?

I've been watching Ax Men. My dad was a logger as was/is half my family. I've never seen the type of clearcut/drag up the hill method all the "teams" use so it's kind of interesting.

A lot of other "reality" I don't get. All the VH1/MTV "dating" some quasi celebrity shows.

I was sadly addicted to "bridezillas" for a short while. I love "house hunters" and the various house flipping shows. I like "Biggest Looser" as well.

Maddy's driving me nuts watching "America's Next Top Model". It's not the worst thing she could watch but ugh.

The one I seriously don't get is the cage/fighting whatever they call it league thingie. Some guy who was in my PE class in high school was/is apparently some kind of champion of this so I watched a few rounds. I don't get it.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I don't know... I guess I just view people, particularly the ladies on Bad Girls Club, to be in it for the attention. I have found so many times in my life that there are certain people that crave attention, positive and negative, and this fulfills that need for them, even if the need is so deeply embedded in their psyche it's not entirely apparent to them, which was probably damaged far before they made their first appearance on the show.

And then there are the people that love to watch that kind of thing...I'd say it's a closed loop. These stupid people love being stupid in front of other people who like watching stupid things. Again, better than any of them being out and about for me to interact with. They just might attempt to get their attention fix using MY attention. Blech.

They all get what they deserve.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Now, don't get me wrong, I have no qualms about watching documentary TV, which in the industry is also referred to as "reality." This is Tom's major area of expertise for editing, and a lot of his shows have been pretty cool and interesting. i.e. Travel Channel, Food Network, Fine Living, HGTV... DP, I suspect that your show would fall in that category, and I don't think that fans of that particular genre are going to drop off anytime soon.

[Mousey Girl]

There are at least 2 "reality" networks out there right now. One is Fox's and I can't remember the other, but it came before Fox did.

...not to say I watch Trash TV....but I do...

[Kevy Baby]

This is Tom's major area of expertise for editing...I am not sure how to spot good editing, but I do know how to spot bad editing. We've been watching this series called Festivals of the World (or something like that). It has been mildly amusing, but the editing is atrocious. It is very disjointed and inconsistent and makes the shows hard to follow at times.

Also, it is an HD show (I believe it is on HDNet), but the graphics are low res and VERY pixelated: almost unreadable!

[Not Afraid]

I don't care about any reality show EXCEPT Project Runway. (And, I got sucked into the Super Model show that followed as well.) I only care about those 2 shows because I love fashion.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Documentaries are entirely different and a lot of fun if done well.

I have watched a bit of reality tv but it felt dirty. Then again, we were watching Ron Jeremy share a house with Ice Cube, Tammy Faye Bakker, and a couple of big-boob bimbos. Whiny bimbos.

[blueerica]

I am starting to think that too many things are all labeled reality shows, when many are game shows, essentially.

I loves me the documentaries, and simply can't get enough of History, Discovery, Food Network, Animal Planet (some shows), etc...

[Gemini Cricket]

NEW YORK (AP) -- The secret talents of celebrities will remain hidden. CBS is axing its new reality show "Secret Talents of the Stars" after only one episode.
The first airing Wednesday had former "Star Trek" actor George Takei singing "On the Road Again." Only 4.6 million people tuned in -- and thousands tuned away as the hour continued.
The reality show also had Clint Black doing standup comedy and Mya tap-dancing. Danny Bonaduce is among the celebrities whose secret talents will be kept to himself.
CBS officials say news programming is expected as a temporary replacement.
Source (http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/10/tv.secrettalents.ap/index.html)

Hahahahaha! :D

[lashbear]

We're watching a series currently called "Lad-ettes to Ladies", which is not about transgender issues, but rather turning a dozen er, scrags into debutantes. It's quite compelling (I hate that buzz-word) in it's own right.

[Alex]

I can think of several possibilities so what does "scrag" mean?

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'm gonna guess something similar to "skank".

[Alex]

That was my first guess. But because of the title of the show tomboy and lesbian were also getting mental votes. And simply ugly was running fourth.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I wonder how it relates to the British "slag".

[Gemini Cricket]

I wonder what an adventure thru inner skank would be like...

[lashbear]

I wonder what an adventure thru inner skank would be like...
Ask Zapppop :evil:

[lashbear]

Oh, scrag = all of the above.

[innerSpaceman]

I wonder what an adventure thru inner skank would be like...
Hahahaha, I was gonna say PM me.



Lash beat me to it!!