Todays "Entertainment"
 

So I'm sitting watching back to back episodes of "Whale Wars" on television and it occurs to me... you know, I've seen just about every "documentary" style "reality" show out there at one time or another. Now I'm not talking about a reality show such as Survivor or some sort of competition game show, rather, I'm speaking to the shows that somewhat glamourize and always try to romanticise completely normal and usually treacherous jobs.

I'm sure you know the types of shows that I'm talking about here. Programs such as "Ice Road Truckers", "Deadliest Catch", "Pit Boss", "Alaska State Troopers", etc. etc. The list goes on and on. What I don't understand is why would I or anyone for that matter want to watch someone elses drama? Especially after a hard day of my own damn drama's.

It just doesn't make much sense to me to compound my own days hardships with someone elses. And when did it ever become so interesting to undergo such mundane tasks such as fishing, or truck driving or logging?

I dunno. Myself, I don't really care about someone elses drama unless it's a close friend or family member that has an issue and needs help. If you think about it, it's no better than a soap opera. Only the players are real.

So how about you guys? What do you think about this stuff?

I watch most of those shows, including whale wars. I think it has to do with how poorly written acted television shows have become. That isn't to say I believe reality tv is totally real. Some of the shows you mentioned are notorious for "creative editing" to make the show more interesting, and don't even get me started on the vex con asshole He gets stung by a bee and the camera guy starts flinging the camera all around while the idiot screams.

But think about it, what scripted shows are still around that are done well? Americans are by large, idiots, who don't appreciate clever shows, and they don't stay around. Instead of watching shows like Mad Men, people watching garbage like 2.5 men. Smart shows simply can't survive, leaving clever people to watch reality drama like the shows you posted.

imho.

There is only a handful of shows that I can tolerate, and thanks to DVR, I usually don't miss them.

If nothing is recorded, I default to Food Network or ESPN (cooking is my #1 hobby, don't hate). The shows you mention are quite a bit better than shows like "The O.C." or "The Hills", but that's not saying much.

It's to the point, however, that I'll be switching over to Hulu/Netflix exclusively, and I'll ditch my cable completely.

I agree that most everything on the tube is complete and utter garbage nowadays and has most likely spawned this new era of programming. I tend to watch more programming on History channel, Military channel or that sort of thing. I do have a few primetime shows that I like but not one of them is comedy based as those are all total mindless trash. I actually think that shows like 2.5 Men etc. LOWER i.q.'s across the board.

Yes! Editing! But even with the editing I just do not see the romantic or intreaging side of any of those jobs. Or with little people. :roflpuke2:

FWIW, HBO looks like it will be coming out with a good show called Boardwalk Empire. It's an oldtime gangster movie, but seems like it has a similar feel to sopranos. Look for it in Sept.

I saw that pit boss one you are talking about for the first time yesterday. I face-palmed at the chick who probably weighs 60 lbs trying to walk an 80lb pitbull.

I did a facebook post a month or two ago that was like "if you watch the hills, any of the kardashian shows, tyra, the bachelor, etc., delete yourself from being one of my friends"

:bowrofl: So true. How about that show with all the midget wrestlers? I just about pee myself when they try to act all tough...

I've got nothing against little people mind you but if you are little, just be docile as you would stand a chance against my daughter anyway.

That Pit Boss guy pisses me off. He's a jerk.

Wait. Wait. Wait. Let's start at the beginning. You were watching Whale Wars?

Yes. Out of all these "reality" based shows, this ONE actually deals with what I would consider to be a genuine issue that should probably be addressed (unlike driving a truck on an icy road). I'm not saying it's a whole lot better but you get the idea..

I hate to say it, but I'm a whale war addict. Last episode they crashed their $2 million fiberglass speedboat into the japanese's monster whaler ship, completely destroying it. :inoutroflpuke:

:werd:

and anybody that wastes time on Farmville! But that is a whole other topic..