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I don’t understand what’s happening to me.
Back in 2003, I wrote in this very journal that “I don’t like reality TV.” Since that time, I’ve found myself watching a handful of reality shows and not hating them. One reason for this is that as I’ve given more of these shows a chance, I’ve discovered that, just as in the worlds of comedy, drama, and high school performances of Grease, the reality genre has good productions as well as crappy ones. Also, I think the definition of “reality TV” has expanded to encompass shows that are more like weekly documentary films than exploitative competitions in the Survivor mold.
For example, when I come across A&E’s series Airline, about the trials and tribulations of Southwest Airlines employees, I’m pretty likely to stick around and watch it. Whether it’s dealing with a drunk passenger, a man whose flight has been canceled three times, or a guy who must be delicately informed that he’s too stinky to get on the plane, it’s intriguing to watch normal people handle the daily drama of their jobs. Anyway, they’re certainly easier to identify with than pre-manufactured singing stars named Simpson.
This summer I’ve been surprised to find myself watching two series that have little in common, other than the fact that they both fall into the “reality” category.
First, there’s Treasure Hunters, Mondays on NBC. If the movie National Treasure and the reality show The Amazing Race started on opposite ends of a runway, then drove straight toward each other until they collided hard enough to fuse them together, the result would be this show. A bunch of three-person teams – including former CIA agents, geniuses, and guys with mullets -- are running around to various sites important to American history, searching for artifacts that will ultimately lead the winning team to the treasure. I don’t think they’ve said yet what the treasure will be, but I’m hoping it’s George Washington’s wooden teeth.
This show initially hooked me with its puzzles. It’s fun to watch the teams struggle to decipher clues, and even more fun to figure it out before they do and spend the rest of the show yelling at them. (“The RED quilt! Look inside the RED quilt, you fools!”) All the challenges also have a semi-educational aspect. When the teams went to Mount Rushmore, we learned about the archives that are hidden in a niche in the mountain. When they traveled to Paris, we got to hear about the American Revolution hero Lafayette. I can certainly get behind an entertaining show that sneaks in some teaching in between commercials featuring that smarmy Mac dude insulting the unhip PC guy.
Despite myself, I’ve also gotten caught up in the little dramas (and melodramas) that unfold with the treasure hunters themselves. The Fogals double-crossed the Southie Boys! How dare they? The Wild Hanlons dissed the Brown Family! Those jerks! One of the Miss USA girls injured her leg! Oh nooo! I never know whom to root for, but most of the time I end up rooting for whoever is the underdog at the time.
Wait. Is this me, Ryan, talking? Am I, Ryan, really getting caught up in one these so-called “reality shows?” Have I, Ryan, been possessed by the ghost of some other guy, perhaps also named Ryan?
The other show I’ve been watching is the hit of the summer, the show that gives piano pseudo-prodigies and stripping Snow Whites an equal shot at stardom, and the show that lets David Hasselhoff express his true feelings about jugglers. It’s America’s Got Talent, Wednesdays and Thursdays on NBC, the Simon Cowell-produced competition open to anyone who thinks they’re talented and wants a chance to win a million dollars. (Apparently host Regis Philbin is only allowed in prime time when he’s giving away a million dollars.)
I have no use for Cowell’s other show, American Idol. Yet I can’t get enough of America’s Got Talent, even though its structure is quite similar, with the three judges and the TV viewers of America getting to decide together who’s more talented than whom. Speaking of the judges, it took me a while to figure something out: While Piers Morgan is obviously this show’s Simon, it’s actually David Hasselhoff who is its Paula Abdul, and Brandy who is its Randy Jackson, rather than vice versa.
Some people have expressed frustration that this show isn’t specific enough with its criteria for talent, but I like the fact that it’s not just about melismaniacal pop singers. Who’s to say a guy who puts a scorpion in his pants isn’t just as talented as a hoop dancer? And while Morgan, the British judge, has inevitably been set up to play the part of the “sinister” judge, I think he’s given some pretty good constructive criticism, and I roll my eyes every time the audience boos him for simply being honest.
See? What in the name of KITT was that? I’m really getting into this show! But I haven’t even told you the weirdest part yet. At the end of the semi-final shows, when Reege (I can call him Reege, ‘cause I met him once) invites us all to pick up our phones and vote for our favorite act, I’ve actually been picking up my phone and voting for my favorite act! What am I doing?!
So far, I’m telling myself that these shows are a cut above most of the other offerings of the genre. Come to think of it, America’s Got Talent might not even be in the genre, considering they don’t really follow the performers offstage, so I maybe I’m getting all worked up over nothing. But I will not be watching Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance or CBS’s Rock Star or ABC’s Can YOU Cook the World’s Tastiest Omelet?, as they appear to be more of the same, so I think I can retain my dignity for now.
Still, I have to wonder. Does my surprising fondness for popular reality shows mean I’m expanding my horizons… or turning into an… (gulp)… average TV viewer?
I don’t know. But I’ll tell you this: That Taylor Ware yodels my socks off.
Comments on this post are closed. |
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I don't think you need to worry. It's okay to watch the occasional reality show. I myself used to watch "Bug Juice" on the Disney Channel.
Anyway, isn't "America's Got Talent" basically The Gong Show? |
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| We're also watching Treasure Hunters because Scotty saw so much advertising for it before it started. I'm not sure where they advertised, but he knew the first week. He also used the, "Mom, it's educational," line to get me to let him watch it. I forgot to tape this week's episode and he'll be disappointed. It's too bad that some teams were lost due to injuries and not poor clue solving, bad navigating or poor fitness levels. |
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Anthony: Was Bug Juice that summer camp show? I think that one fit into the "more like a documentary" sub-genre, so I'm declaring it guilt-free. America's Got Talent is not unlike the Gong Show, except that after the initial audition round, the judges can no longer stop the act before it's over. It's also similar to Fox's summer series "30 Seconds to Fame" from a couple years ago, except they have more than 30 seconds to perform.
Karen: I was pretty ticked off when team Miss USA had to drop out due to injury, while the dumb guy Wild Hanlons team moved onto the next round. But now the Wild Hanlons have been eliminated, and for some reason the Miss USA girls are back, but with a different, non-ankle-twisted third member. This week the Fogal Family was eliminated, which is just as well, because the daughter was always complaining anyway. |
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Yes, those more like game shows and documentaries than normal "reality television."
I agree about liking America's Got Talent, and I agree that it's just a new version of The Gong Show. (David Letterman also pointed this out). However, I'm a bit disappointed that 3 of the 4 finalists are musical acts. Granted, they are all unique acts, I'd really like to see a show closer to Stupid Human Tricks. I mean, there's already dozens of shows for finding the next big pop and/or rock musician. |
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| I haven't seen any of those shows but I found you while Googling "Uvalde High School" (yeah, slow day at work). The post that came up was about you looking like Matthew Broderick or that Finch guy. Just my two cents, I don't remember you looking like either one of those guys but it has been a long time ;) |
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| Dude. Melissa Scanlan? That brings back memories of STAR class... |
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HA! STAR class!
Wow, we're at page 15 of Google's results for "Uvalde High School." Maybe someday I'll work on Search Engine Optimization and we won't get tons of people looking for "Kidz Bop." |
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| Wow, page 15 may not even be right. I have Google set to display 20 results at a time, and I'm about to up it to 30. |
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| It showed up on page 12 for me. |
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| Yeah, I get it guys, I have no life ;) |
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Well, socially, it's perfectly acceptable to dig 12 pages deep in Google at work. To do so on a Friday night, on the other hand...
I'm sure most bosses would disagree.
I was more amazed at the fact that Muujware came up for a search for something other than one of our names. Then again, how many pages can there be about Uvalde High School? |
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I wish I had a gong.
And a butterfly net.
Carry on. |
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Melissa: If you're reading my journal, then obviously you have a life.
Matt: Five hundred fifty.
Michal: GONNNNNNG!
Hey, I wonder if The Gong Show's Gene Gene the Dancing Machine is still around. They should have him give a special performance on America's Got Talent. |
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| By the way, I just want to say that I was pretty disappointed that the magician didn't win this week's semi-finals. Another singer? Come on. Next season they should set a rule that says none of the acts can be singers, unless they also do something else, like juggling while they sing. At least the magician still has a chance to win the wild card show, if I understood Piers's exciting and sinister announcement correctly. |
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| On that note, a magic contest would make for pretty good television. |
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