I wonder how much this insight applies to the one show -- which, like most television, I haven't seen at all -- and how much it is a barometer for the current society.
Is the current "Survivor" in the same line of shows that stated with that business of voting people off the island? That kind of show gives me the willies. Actually, the whole "reality TV" genre is usually pretty awful, like being stuck in a particularly gruesome cocktail party, or a birthday bash for badly raised eight-year-olds. This new incarnation of reality TV seems to be aimed at the same crowd that finds PUA culture appealing, and it kind of makes me want to go cloister myself.
I tried watching the very first season of Survivor and couldn't see what the fuss was all about back then. I still don't get why it's a popular show. But then, I didn't get the Big Brother show, or any of the so-called reality shows for that matter. I have a great reality show that I can watch every day during baseball season...and not is the ending new and fresh every single day, it's based on playing the game by the rules! Whatta concept!!
I have never seen it. I'm not sure if 'cloistering' is the right word, although I like its Medieval feel; but we cut off television from our home about 2005, and have never missed it.
Once in a while I make a foray into watching some TV program online if I hear good things about it, but mostly I have regretted doing so and stopped not long after. Even the Vikings show -- by the History Channel! -- I have not been able to want to watch in its second season.
I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on 'Vikings', Grim- and why you stopped watching.
We watch one reality show- The Amazing Race- as a family. I like to watch it as most of the contestants are reasonably honorable, and few are outright conniving. It gives us a chance to show our kids- without 'preaching'- that we think the good people are the ones who have values and stand by them, and at least in this game, they have a good chance at winning. I am pleased to report that the kids don't root for the teams that act childishly, or unscrupulously (beyond the normal game play).
I actually think there's been some push-back on the Survivor 'anything goes' model, and you'll see on many competitive shows a real camaraderie amongst the competitors, and/or a real disdain for those who violate the social civility among the competitors.
I never watch Survivor. I could watch starving rats in a cage fight for a scrap of food if I wanted that sort of 'entertainment'.
Is the current "Survivor" in the same line of shows that stated with that business of voting people off the island? That kind of show gives me the willies. Actually, the whole "reality TV" genre is usually pretty awful, like being stuck in a particularly gruesome cocktail party, or a birthday bash for badly raised eight-year-olds. This new incarnation of reality TV seems to be aimed at the same crowd that finds PUA culture appealing, and it kind of makes me want to go cloister myself.
ReplyDeleteI tried watching the very first season of Survivor and couldn't see what the fuss was all about back then. I still don't get why it's a popular show. But then, I didn't get the Big Brother show, or any of the so-called reality shows for that matter. I have a great reality show that I can watch every day during baseball season...and not is the ending new and fresh every single day, it's based on playing the game by the rules! Whatta concept!!
ReplyDeleteOh, and yes, Tex, that's the show.
I have never seen it. I'm not sure if 'cloistering' is the right word, although I like its Medieval feel; but we cut off television from our home about 2005, and have never missed it.
ReplyDeleteOnce in a while I make a foray into watching some TV program online if I hear good things about it, but mostly I have regretted doing so and stopped not long after. Even the Vikings show -- by the History Channel! -- I have not been able to want to watch in its second season.
I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on 'Vikings', Grim- and why you stopped watching.
ReplyDeleteWe watch one reality show- The Amazing Race- as a family. I like to watch it as most of the contestants are reasonably honorable, and few are outright conniving. It gives us a chance to show our kids- without 'preaching'- that we think the good people are the ones who have values and stand by them, and at least in this game, they have a good chance at winning. I am pleased to report that the kids don't root for the teams that act childishly, or unscrupulously (beyond the normal game play).
I actually think there's been some push-back on the Survivor 'anything goes' model, and you'll see on many competitive shows a real camaraderie amongst the competitors, and/or a real disdain for those who violate the social civility among the competitors.
I never watch Survivor. I could watch starving rats in a cage fight for a scrap of food if I wanted that sort of 'entertainment'.