Ok. So, it looks like the Doc woke up on the wrong side of the bed. AGAIN.
Hey, chill out. Tv’s about entertainment. If you don’t like it TURN IT OFF. CHANGE THE CHANNEL. And let those who enjoy sinking our depraved minds into the world of pseudo-Reality and scripted spontaneity do just that. Enjoy it. The Bag Man says -nobody invited you. So stay out the party.
Agreed, Reality TV isn’t necessarily REAL anymore. But there is some reality in it. Just do like my man Neo in the “Matrix” and “Free your mind.” The exposition is scripted, but you gotta have that special mix of characters that make us want to watch: the underdog, the cool rebel, the beauty queen, the prep nerd, the prude, et al. We just want a character for everyone so we all have the chance to identify with the show. A character that everyone can relate to or say hey… “That reminds me of my friend. He should do this.” Then comes the hope that yea, your just like them. Ordinary people. You may have the opportunity to be on tv. The new American Dream.
Now I’ll let you knock wife swap. BUT CELEBRITY FIT CLUB. Tell me you don’t enjoy watching Sopranos fan fav Big Puss, and Bonecrusher go all out to lose some weight. One word - HYSTERICAL. I mean they are exercising. It’s reality in that they’re not playing fictional personas, but being themselves just in a scripted situation. Let’s see how they respond to that situation as themselves. That’s real.
Now let me digress to a personal favorite. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, now that’s something. The Bag Man likes it EXTREME. This is what Reality is all about. Tearing down a house. Building the house back up while the owners are on vacation paid for by the show. Now this is exciting. Is this Reality? Well once a week it is. And that’s fine with me. Somehow every time it looks like it won’t get done. Some problem always arises 12 hours before the homeowners come home just to be fixed by the time they get there. I expect it. I know it. BUT THE BAG MAN STILL LOVES IT. Fact is: The Real World and the succession of Reality drama that followed paved the path for great shows like Extreme Makeover. You need those bad trails to get to something truly great.
And, yes Doc. I’m for Real. Bad Reality is Necessary for good Reality.
But you’re right, it has gotten excessive. Bachelors, wife swapping, confused couples, dancing celebs. The list goes on and on. Every time I look on Craigslist. Someone has a post looking for someone who cheated on someone or is in a relationship to participate on a NEW TYPE OF REALITY SHOW. It’s kind of prime time talk shows in action. So, instead of talking about Jerry Springer stuff… let’s see how it actually goes down. Let the so called bad Reality Tv shows come forth. Reality TV gives the low budget director and writer a chance to make his way in the world of entertainment. Somewhere along the line, a budding director will spark a brilliant idea from the litany of garbage. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition did this. The Bag Man can only wonder who will be next.
