Ok, I admit it; I don't really like reality TV. I watched Tina Wesson win her million, but only watched Survivor sporadically after that. American Idol does not interest me any more than the Star Search revival, or America's Top Model, or Super Nanny or Let's Trade Wives or the latest Fox excursion into low class and high ratings.
Now don't get me wrong; I do have a trashy side, and sometimes I enjoy a guilty pleasure, like Blind Date or the occasional episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition, but most reality TV seems to focus on bringing out the worst in people. Hell, that's all that Survivor is about anymore. It's not how strong or skilled you are at surviving under harsh consitions; it's all about who is the best at back stabbing.
If I wanted to see that, I'd just go to a Hailey Family Reunion.
But there was one show that was above all that, at least for the most part. The Amazing Race was more about people working together as a team under trying circumstances. It was about perserverance, overcoming obstacles, all the things that we talk about in sports. There was an aura of good sportsmanship that went along with the show.
Sure, there was bickering between team members from time to time, but that wasn't the focus of the show. At least, not until recently.
I noticed last season that it seemed like the producers were playing up the friction between team members, and between the teams, working to ratchet up the tension. Then this season, they went a step further, and brought in a couple of Survivor vets to play. Not just any Survivor vets, but Rob and Amber, possibly the most annoying couple in Television history.
They brought a Survivor style approach to the game, following a "win at any cost" approach that really changed the dynamic of the show. Now instead of sportsmanship, it was every man for himself.
It killed the show for me. Unfortunately, ratings went up dramatically, so I'm sure Mark Burnett will continue to make the show more ruthless and mean spirited until it's just as bad as a Jerry Springer episode.
Or Survivor.
The only upside to the season as far as I'm concerned is that they lost out to one of the more decent teams.
Posted by Rich at May 11, 2005 9:29 AM | TrackBack