h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Reality TV shows have single-handedly revived the workplace conversation void that was opened when people all started playing with mobile phones. Curiosity is inherent in the human condition - who doesn't enjoy a good nosy on the neighbours or a bit of rubbernecking at a traffic accident?

Keep Reality TV out!

B

Yes, but the resulting workplace conversation isn't horribly compelling stuff, is it? On the other hand, eavesdropping on other people's mobile phone convesations...

You're right, we're curious about the neighbours, but that's the problem with reality TV shows (at least most of them in the US): that's not how most people live. It's 'Hollywood reality'; ie, completely unreal.

In. IN, I say. *shoving with her might*

Forget ye not that Big Brother started as a serious psychological experiment. And part of that experiment was seeing how people react when they know the cameras are on them. A few of this year's participants were prime examples.

B

Unfortunately it started in Nederland... causing great to all those around me.

Terrible, awful - I am enjoying myself more watching the paint I have just spread on the lounge walls dry.

IN, IN, IN...

shazz

Pah! You just enjoy disagreeing with me, don't you?

B

That's what's so much fun about Post Room 101 - it sure encourages people to disagree! We need a 'fisticuffs' smiley (or is that an oxymoron?).

Seriously, if the shows were like the original Big Brother, I'd have no problem with them at all. It's the unreal 'reality' shows that annoy me. Survivor?! I'll give you Survivor! How about we drop a person into one of these situations:
* single mom with three kids and a minimum wage job
* single mom with 3-month-old twins
* labourer whose job has just been outsourced
* resident of Baghdad

Or maybe I'm just turning into a sanctimonious old poop.

I'm too young to be an old poop!!!

In In In!

Except for the Osbournes - that's quality entertainment

Reality TV is obnoxious and predictable, and taking up all of the prime spots that should be reserved for DESERVING programming. It's but another generation of programmes that cater to the lowest common denominator vying for their fifteen minutes of fame - Ricki Lake for the next millenium.

I'd be in favor of it staying out if they could condense all the reality programming into one night, at least that way I could plan in advance on going to the cinema or the video store that night. Or put it all on one premium channel, so those of us with programmable television service can skip it altogether.

But as I see neither of those happening - In In In I say!