I was looking through some old notebooks, because I’m bored as shit, and I came across this pink notebook jammed packed with notes. Damn, I was really on my knowledge tip when I was in school, despite what people may think about me being high or not, I was no dummy. Anyway, I took this media law and regulations class last year, and I came across notes from a lecture dedicated to “Reality TV’. Now, I put reality TV in parenthesis because shockingly, it’s not as real as one might think…. I know right?!?! Get that big look of shock of your face and just think about it for a minute…. Ok, minute up.
Some highlights from my notes were how these shows are cheap as shit to make, and even though the people aren’t “actors”, they are put in pre-determined scenarios set up by producers based on locations that get cleared for filming. Although people watch shows like the Hills, Tiny and Toya, and Keeping Up With the Kardashians, passionately, and piously, the truth is, these people are getting paid for you take a smoke and mirrors glimpse into their lives.
Another trend I hate is the dating show phenomenon, it really does nothing more that make people look like complete and utter drunken sex-crazed idiots. Sure its funny, but in a we're all laughing at you, not with you, kind of way. I'd seriously take the "Love Connection" over any love based show being aired on VH-1 right about now. At what point will people get annoyed with the redundancy of these concepts. Why must we constantly be bombarded with reality on television? Honestly, I want to turn on the television and escape from reality. I find solace in shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I genuinely get mad when I miss an episode, because unlike The Real World (which gets faker by the season) and Dr. Drew Rehab, I can't catch a replay of the show a couple of hours later (unless I watch it on the internet). I mean if people really wanted reality, why not just watch the fucking news, or Cops.
It seems as if lately television has hit an all time low, quality writers and actors are losing work courtesy of these reality-based shows, and its breeding a generation who feel entitled to instant fame. I worked as a preschool teacher real brief a couple of months ago, and when I asked some of my students what they wanted to be when they grew up, the majority of them responded famous! I'm talking about 4 and 5 year-old children here. I made the mistake of going further in depth and asking them what they wanted to famous for, and they had the audacity to tell me they didn't care, they just wanted to be on TV. I felt so sad. Now, I’ll admit that I watch these shows from time to time, but mostly, I find more entertainment from old re-runs of Martin, Seinfeld, and the Simpsons. I miss a good sitcom, it's not like they don't exist anymore, but they are few and far between. With all that being said, I found this old poem in my notebook that I wrote while sitting in that media law and regulations class. It's more inspired by shows like Flavor of Love, Rock of Love and any other dating reality shows... so I thought I’d share.
"Love on TV"
I’m so tired
Of turning on the television
And seeing these shows
Disguised as reality
With love as a prize
Attention whores
Seeking nothing more
Than a nickname
And the hope of a spin off
Was it they or we…
Who somehow got lazy?
Complacency is reigning
While they consciously
Dumb us down!!!
Force-feeding bullshit
Breeding a generation of nitwits
Turn the volume down
And your brain up
Read. Write. Teach. Repeat.
Oh yeah, here’s a list of the Winter 2009/2010 reality TV show debut schedule…. Talk about overload!
Winter 2009/2010 reality TV show debut schedule
(http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/schedules/2009_Nov_30_winter_2010)
December
• Intervention [A&E, Nov. 30, Mondays at 10]
• Hoarders [A&E, Nov. 30, Mondays at 10]
• Pawn Stars [History, Nov. 30, Mondays at 10]
• Britain’s Missing Top Model [BBC America, Dec. 1, Tuesdays at 9]
• Bad Girls Club 4 [Oxygen, Dec. 1, Tuesdays at 10]
• Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares 5 [BBC America, Dec. 2, Wednesdays at 8]
• Dog the Bounty Hunter [A&E, Dec. 2, Wednesdays at 9]
• Steven Seagal: Lawman [A&E, Dec. 2, Wednesdays at 10]
• Launch My Line [Bravo, Dec. 2 at 11, Wednesdays at 10]
• BBQ Pitmasters [TLC, Dec. 3, Thursdays at 10]
• I Survived [BIO, Dec. 6, Sundays at 9]
• Campus PD [G4, Dec. 9, Wednesdays at 11]
• American Ninja Warrior [G4, Dec. 12 and 18 at 6]
• Ghost Intervention [TLC, Dec. 12, Saturdays at 9]
• The Jacksons [A&E, Dec. 13, Sundays at 9]
• Keeping up with the Kardashians [E!, Dec. 13, Sundays at 10]
• Giuliana & Bill (season one) [E!, Dec. 13 at 11, Sundays at 10:30]
• The Sing Off [NBC, Dec. 14, 15, 16, 21 at 8]
• Bank of Hollywood [E!, Dec. 14, Mondays at 10]
• Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal [A&E, Dec. 15, Tuesdays at 9]
• Paranormal State [A&E, Dec. 15, Tuesdays at 10]
• Motor City Motors [Discovery, Dec. 28, Mondays at 10]
• The Real World DC [MTV, Dec. 30, Wednesdays at 10] news
January
• The Squeeze [MSNBC, Jan. 1, Fridays at 10]
• Frank the Entertainer…In a Basement Affair [VH1, Jan. 3, Sundays at 8]
• Platinum Weddings [WEtv, Jan. 3, Sundays at 9]
• Giuliana & Bill (season two) [Style, Jan. 3, Sundays at 9]
• Worst Cooks In America [Food Network, Jan. 3, Sundays at 10]
• Secrets of Aspen [VH1, Jan. 3, Sundays at 10]
• The Bachelor 14 [ABC, Jan. 4, Mondays at 8] news
• Be Good Johnny Weir [Sundance Channel, Jan. 4, Mondays at 10]
• Blood, Sweat & Takeaways [Planet Green, Jan. 4, Mondays at 10]
• The Biggest Loser 9 news [NBC, Jan. 5, Tuesdays at 8]
• Wild Recon [Animal Planet, Jan. 5, Tuesdays at 9]
• Last Restaurant Standing [BBC America, Jan. 5, Tuesdays at 9]
• Man Vs. Wild [Discovery, Jan. 6, Wednesdays at 9]
• Ghost Hunters International [SyFy, Jan. 6, Wednesdays at 9]
• Conviction Kitchen [Planet Green, Jan. 6, Wednesdays at 10]
• Shark Tank [ABC, Jan. 8, Fridays at 9]
• Manhattan Marriage Project with Gino Filippone [TLC, Jan. 8, Fridays at 10]
• Operation Wild [Planet Green, Jan. 8, Fridays at 10]
• Celebrity Rehab 3 [VH1, Jan. 10, Sundays at 10] news
• Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations [Travel Channel, Jan. 11, Mondays at 10]
• Fantasia for Real [VH1, Jan. 11, Mondays at 10]
• Let’s Talk About Pep [VH1, Jan. 11, Mondays at 10:30]
• American Idol 9 [Fox, Jan. 12, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8] news
• Our Little Genius [FOX, Jan. 13 at 9, Wednesdays at 9]
• Little Miss Perfect 2 [WEtv, Jan. 12, Tuesdays at 10]
• High School Reunion 6 [TV Land, Jan. 13, Wednesdays at 10] news
• Solving History with Olly Steeds [Discovery, Jan. 13, Wednesdays at 10]
• The First 48 [A&E, Jan. 14, Thursdays at 9]
• Project Runway 6 [Lifetime, Jan. 14, Thursdays at 10] news
• Carnie Wilson: Unstapled [GSN, Jan. 14, Thursdays at 10]
• Models of the Runway [Lifetime, Jan. 14, Thursdays at 11] news
• Pit Boss [Animal Planet, Jan. 16, Saturdays at 10]
• The Buried Life [MTV, Jan. 18, Mondays at 10]
• Millionaire Matchmaker [Bravo, Jan. 19, Tuesdays at 10]
• Paranormal Cops [A&E, Jan. 19, Tuesdays at 10:30]
• Meteorite Men [Science Channel, Jan. 20, Wednesdays at 9]
• Jeff Probst’s Live for the Moment [CBS, Feb. 28 at 8, one episode]
• Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew 5 [MTV, Jan. 28]
• Taking The Stage [MTV, Jan. 28]
• Kitchen Nightmares [Fox, Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 at 9, Fridays at 9 starting Jan. 29] news
• Seducing Cindy [FOX Reality, Jan. 30, Saturdays at 9]
• Four Weddings [TLC, Jan. 30, Saturdays at 10]
February
• RuPaul’s Drag Race 2 [Logo, February 1, Mondays at 9]
• Kell on Earth [Bravo, Feb. 1, Mondays at 10]
• Blood, Sweat & T-Shirts [Planet Green, Feb. 1, Mondays at 10]
• The Michael Vick Project [BET, Feb. 2, Tuesdays at 10]
• Shear Genius 3 [Bravo, Feb. 3 at 11, Wednesdays at 10] news
• Undercover Boss [CBS, Feb. 7 following Super Bowl, Sundays at 9]
• Celebrity Fit Club 7: Boot Camp [VH1, Feb. 8, Mondays at 9]
• Survivor Heroes vs. Villains [CBS, Feb. 11, Thursdays at 8] news
• The Amazing Race 16 [CBS, Feb. 14, Sundays at 8] news
• Prison Wives [Investigation Discovery, Feb. 14 at 8, Wednesdays at 10]
• The Family Crews [BET, Feb. 21, Sundays at 9]
March
• Ghost Hunters [SyFy, March 3, Wednesdays at 9]
• The Real Housewives of New York City [Bravo, March 4, Thursdays at 10] news
• The Marriage Ref [NBC, March 14, Sundays at 8]
• The Celebrity Apprentice 3 news [NBC, March 14, Sundays at 9]
• America’s Worst Driver [Travel Channel, March 14, Sundays at 10]
• Jessica Simpson’s The Price of Beauty [VH1, March 14, Sundays at 10]
• Basketball Wives [VH1, March 15]
• Destination Truth [SyFy, March 17, Wednesdays at 10]
• Addicted [TLC, March]
• Love Games: Bad Girls Need Love Too [Oxygen, March]
April
• Sunday Best 3 [BET April 4, Sundays at 9]
• 9 By Design [Bravo, April 5, Mondays at 10]
• Top Chef Masters 2 [Bravo, April 7 at 11, Wednesdays at 10] news
• Tiny & Toya [BET, April 13, Tuesdays at 10]
• River Monsters [Animal Planet, April 18, Sundays at 10]
• Donald J. Trump’s Fabulous World of Golf [Golf Channel, April 26, Mondays at 9]
• Double Exposure [Bravo, April]
• Private Chefs of Beverly Hills [Food Network, April]
June
• The Fabulous Beekman Boys [Planet Green, June 16]
• Work of Art: The Next Great Artist [Bravo, June]
July
• Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp [VH1, July]
later in 2010
• Architecture School 2 [Sundance Channel]
• Arranged Marriage [CBS, midseason]
• Buffalo Warriors [Planet Green]
• Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House 2 [VH1] news
• The Choir [BBC America, spring]
• Circus [PBS, fall]
• Dance Your Ass Off 2 [Oxygen, summer]
• Fly Girls [The CW]
• Girl Meets Gown [WEtv]
• The Girls [Oxygen]
• Greensburg [Planet Green, May 2]
• Hogs & Heifers [Oxygen]
• Jilted [WEtv]
• Lady and the Champ [Oxygen]
• Last Chance Highway [Animal Planet, summer]
• The Locator [WEtv]
• The Next Food Network Star 6 [Food Network, summer] news
• The Price of Beauty [VH1]
• Untitled Chili series [VH1]
• Worldwide Tribe [Travel Channel, first quarter]
• High School Confidential 2 [WEtv, 2013]
• Pit Bulls and Parolees [Animal Planet, fall]
• Red Summer [Sundance Channel]
• Runaway Squad [A&E]
• Someone’s Gotta Go [Travel Channel]
• Southern Belles [SoapNet]
• Thunder Road [CBS]
• Toddlers and Tiaras [TLC]
• Top City Artist with Justin Bua [Sundance Channel]
• Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood [Oxygen, spring]
• Untitled Tony Robbins show [NBC]
• Way Out [Showtime]
• Worst Case Scenario [Discovery, spring]
In limbo
• Jingles [CBS]
• When Women Rule the World [FOX, future uncertain]
