Reality TV

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Reality TV

Post by Pappa » Wed Jan 25, 2012 3:55 pm

It's been an enduring feature of our TV for a while now.... though its birth is a little indistinct.

When did reality TV begin and what's the appeal? Why does so much of it seem so unreal and surreal?









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Re: Reality TV

Post by Animavore » Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:06 pm

I'm sure it began with Big Brother.
The appeal? People just like dramaz.
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Re: Reality TV

Post by Pappa » Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:13 pm

Animavore wrote:I'm sure it began with Big Brother.
The appeal? People just like dramaz.
What about stuff like "Opportunity Knocks" and all those other old talent shows?
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Re: Reality TV

Post by Bella Fortuna » Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:14 pm

I hate you; have I mentioned this? :nono:
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Re: Reality TV

Post by Pappa » Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:15 pm

Bella Fortuna wrote:I hate you; have I mentioned this? :nono:
:{D

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Re: Reality TV

Post by Audley Strange » Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:25 pm

It depends what you mean. Certainly there was "fly on the wall"documentaries as far back as the 60's (perhaps further).

I think it's popular in the same way soaps are, they fulfil the need that certain members of society have to gossip. Given that traditionally such members pried and chinwagged endlessly about the local community and that such small communities are not easily replaced in modern urban environments where most people work, the knitting circle has been replaced by the office and the laundrette, the wine bar.

They seem unreal because the people on them are more often than not, odd desperate individuals who crave attention and will do anything for it, good or bad to the extent it is like they have a form of Munchausen's syndrome in which their behaviours are tantamount to self harm. That and they are often narrated, hosted and edited in order to show conflict and stupidty rather than a bunch of bored and boring humans, sitting around doing nothing most of the time.
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Re: Reality TV

Post by Pappa » Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:36 pm

Pappa wrote: Yes, this is mostly just an excuse to get this forum in the active searches.
:tea:
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Re: Reality TV

Post by Animavore » Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:41 pm

Pappa wrote:
Animavore wrote:I'm sure it began with Big Brother.
The appeal? People just like dramaz.
What about stuff like "Opportunity Knocks" and all those other old talent shows?
Yes. But they wre never intrusive on the contestants. They came up, done their shit, then fucked off. It was about the talent of the contestants and nothing else. For instance they didn't stoop to showing all the crap people and embarrassing people. We were spared that crap. The TV execs didn't think we'd want to see that.
It was with Big Brother that they really started making celebrity out of normal people. It was with BB that execs realised we like watching people like you and me on TV. That most people don't care about talent, which is rare which is why those of us adverse to things common and base extol its virtue, but rather see John the bricky from Sussex get a record deal in the face of (albeit contrived) adversity. Stickin' it to the man.
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Re: Reality TV

Post by Bella Fortuna » Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:51 pm

Pappa wrote:
Pappa wrote: Yes, this is mostly just an excuse to get this forum in the active searches.
:tea:
They're not paying attention. :nono:










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Re: Reality TV

Post by Pappa » Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:52 pm

Bella Fortuna wrote:
Pappa wrote:
Pappa wrote: Yes, this is mostly just an excuse to get this forum in the active searches.
:tea:
They're not paying attention. :nono:










PS. Hate you. :lay:
:{D

:smooch:
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Re: Reality TV

Post by Achtland » Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:55 pm

Pappa wrote:
Bella Fortuna wrote:
Pappa wrote:
Pappa wrote: Yes, this is mostly just an excuse to get this forum in the active searches.
:tea:
They're not paying attention. :nono:










PS. Hate you. :lay:
:{D

:smooch:
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Re: Reality TV

Post by Pappa » Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:19 pm

Wait.... what was this thread about again? :ask:
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Re: Reality TV

Post by Mr P » Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:30 pm

http://www.cracked.com/photoplasty_131_ ... ch_p21/#21
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Re: Reality TV

Post by Pappa » Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:35 pm

:hehe: Excellent.
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Re: Reality TV

Post by Mr P » Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:42 pm

I thought the one with Chris Hansen was particularly inspired :biggrin:
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