WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING?

I just had to stop watching TV this morning.  Just the mention by my favorite Today show news person (Ann Curry) of the stupid "Shock TV" reality shows that are so popular made me walk away.

Whenever I see a promo for one of these shows - like Fear Factor - I cringe and wonder why.  Why are these shows so popular?  Why do so many people want to watch someone stick their head in a box full of wasps?  Why does the public need to see someone eat raw goat entrails?  And WHO IN THE HELL goes on these shows as contestants?!?  Desperate idiots, I guess.

So does my attitude sound elitist?  Like I'll only each French cheese and watch All Creatures Great and Small?  I am so NOT like that.  I usually hate movies with subtitles and rarely drink tea.  I keep a supply of Kraft Mac and Cheese on hand.  I actually - at this moment - have a broken car in the driveway and an old couch on my front deck.  Nope- no highfalutin here.

So why does this disgust me?  Am I the only one who thinks this crap is...well...crap?  I know very intelligent people - whom I love dearly - who watch this stuff.  I understand the lure of shocking visual content.  But come on - isn't eating a blend of beetles, roaches, and fish guts going a little too far?

I also understand that some would say that Janet Jackson exposing her breast at the Superbowl was going too far.  But that's only a boobie.  Most of us like boobies.  I haven't met anyone who would prefer to see someone swim in a pool of mud and dead fish over seeing a pop star's boobie.

The answer?  I don't wish these shows gone.  I am a firm believer in the Constitution and would rather allow this schlock over censorship.  I'm just kind of disappointed that so many people want to watch it.  I dread the next time I travel overseas and tell someone I'm American and they respond with "Oh!  George Bush!  Fear Factor!".  Uh...yep.

Comments

[LonaLee]

Thanx Dude! :)

[Jules]

yeah - i get the whole competition thingy. But fish guts? peeeeuke! And your life is DEFINITELY much better than Hulk Hogans or whomever is on right now!!

[LonaLee]

Yep, we are those addicted idiots to watching Fear Factor (well we haven't watched in a while, but we love it). Having boys a little older and totally into competition is probably why. For us, the show has actually helped in "mind over matter" in many situations. Big A has gotten into riding those crazy rides we loved at the amusement parks because of that show and the boys will pretty much try any new food (sushi too) because all we have to say is.."Fear Factor" and down the hatch it goes. I watch wondering, "Could I ever do that?" mainly with the stunts. Now the food stuff, I could probably eat anything dead, those live bugs, NO WAY!!! I do agree with "Reality TV" getting outta hand though. Every time we turn around some new show that's pretty much like all of the others comes out. My dad and I tried watching Treasure Hunters, but it was just like Amazing Race. Also, watching "daily life" of some crazy family doesn't appeal to me either. I have a crazy family of my own! :)