Reality TV.

[Miriel]

There are lots of good things on television. Sure the writers strike messed things up a bit, but just wait until this summer/fall and you'll have a crapload of amazing shows to watch.

Comedy: The Office, Pushing Daisies, Chuck
Drama: Battlestar Galactica, Tudors, Dirty Sexy Money, Lost

There are plenty of crap reality tv shows, but also some really great ones as well. Have you seen the amazing creations that people on Project Runway put on in a day's notice? Do you see the kind of passion and soul that goes into the dance routines on America's Best Dance Crew? I would argue that displaying real talent to the world via the reality television medium can change people's lives. There's nothing like a bit of inspiration to kick start what could turn out to be a person's passion in life.

[The Ceej]

Do you realize that anyone who ever makes any money in the entertainment industry after going on one of these reality talent shows has most of taken from them by the show on which they went? It's in the contract they sign. They don't even have to win or even be good to lose all the money that they would make in the future. I would argue that, while it may get them known, it won't allow them to make money in the field they wish to enter. These shows shouldn't be on the air. The reason they are is that people are idiots. I see that that's the reason for a lot of things in this world these days.

[smittenkitten]

My favourite Reality TV shows would have to be Big Brother, Pop Idol, X Factor and I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

[Miriel]

Do you realize that anyone who ever makes any money in the entertainment industry after going on one of these reality talent shows has most of taken from them by the show on which they went? It's in the contract they sign. They don't even have to win or even be good to lose all the money that they would make in the future. I would argue that, while it may get them known, it won't allow them to make money in the field they wish to enter. These shows shouldn't be on the air. The reason they are is that people are idiots. I see that that's the reason for a lot of things in this world these days.

You don't know what you're talking about.

The winner of Top Chef took his money and put it into a new restaurant in New York. A restaurant that is doing quite well these days. I'd say that the show helped him reach that level of success that he has found. Winners of American Idol (and even those who don't win) go on to be hugely successful as well, selling millions of records and selling out concerts. Your conspiracy theories never fail to amaze me.

[Laddy]

Do you realize that anyone who ever makes any money in the entertainment industry after going on one of these reality talent shows has most of taken from them by the show on which they went? It's in the contract they sign. They don't even have to win or even be good to lose all the money that they would make in the future. I would argue that, while it may get them known, it won't allow them to make money in the field they wish to enter. These shows shouldn't be on the air. The reason they are is that people are idiots. I see that that's the reason for a lot of things in this world these days.

You don't know what you're talking about.

The winner of Top Chef took his money and put it into a new restaurant in New York. A restaurant that is doing quite well these days. I'd say that the show helped him reach that level of success that he has found. Winners of American Idol (and even those who don't win) go on to be hugely successful as well, selling millions of records and selling out concerts. Your conspiracy theories never fail to amaze me.

Actually, they do use the money. Ethan Zohn (football pro) from Survivor: Africa started a succesful football business/charity. While Reichen Lekhmul supported Gay Pride.

[The Ceej]

Apparently no one understood my statement. Well, then, I don't feel I have to validate it. Just get a copy of the contracts from these talent reality shows and read it yourself.

[El Bandito]

Does it matter if the talent show takes a portion of their money? They still make tons and tons of it. In the entertainment business, becoming successful is all about exposure. If most of these talented people never got on these shows, they'd have the same talent level, but they would never get people to see them perform.

You act like it's a parasitic relationship, but the benefit on both sides is mutual.

[Flying Mullet]

When people are desperate to succeed they'll take desperate measures.

[Dynast-Kid]

FUN FACT: The contract from the reality show, Kid Nation, including a clause that prevented the station and producers from being sued if a child ended up dead, dismembered, or contracted an STD!!!

[Miriel]

Why reality TV can be a good thing:

Jabbawockeez - the winners of America's Best Dance Crew
JabbaBaby! - 2 year old toddler mimicing the moves of Jabba
Elijah - 3 year old kid dancing to Jabba's moves
Josh - 11 years old, ALSO following Jabba's foot steps.

And there's lots and lots more on Youtube.

This is *incredible*. Through America's Next Dance Crew, Jabba has managed to inspire tons of people, myself included. But more than that, they've inspired a whole new freakin' generation of dancers. These kids are mimicking Jabba the way people used to mimic Michael Jackson. It's really an amazing thing to witness.

Like I said earlier in my posts, reality television has the potential to be greater than regular television because of it's ability to showcase TRUE talent and thereby inspire tons of people to be better and do greater things. Sure reality TV can be crap a lot of times. But when its good, it's REALLY good.

[Araciel]

http://forums.eyesonff.com/general-c...round-1-a.html

[Momiji]

The only reality TV show I remotely enjoy is Hell's Kitchen. I can't stand all of the other ones, especially the modeling ones. But the ones I hate the most are Flavor of Love, I Love New York, and Rock of Love.

@Araciel: I really hope the CK competition doesn't get as melodrama-soaked as the stuff on TV does.