Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Enough With the Reality Shows

There's lots of news lately about Sarah Jessica Parker producing a new reality TV show, "American Artist" (working title), which is a series for artists that compete each other for a grand prize. Think Project Runway, except it's about art.

We all knew this type of show was coming, but I never expected Sarah Jessica Parker to be producing it. For a change, I'm not excited about this show though. Maybe I'm the only one that's not so enthusiastic about it. The funny thing is, my problem is not even about the show. It's just that there's so much reality TV these days, that I have become so sick of it! I still have my favorites that I like to watch, but hasn't reality TV gone way too far?

Coming back from 4 years of living in Japan, I was eager to turn on the tube and see what's on. Japanese TV has lots of dramas and game shows, but I really wanted to watch American sitcoms. I come back, just a week ago, and I'm disappointed because I expected something different. Every channel I flip to is airing something to do with reality.


Oh how I miss the days of Full House.
There's some reality shows that I think are good though, like The Apprentice; it's educational and fun to watch. I guess I'm more tired with the dating and fantasies fulfilled kind of shows. I'm not interested in spending time watching people find a date or girls caught up in cat fights. I have enough drama in my own life, there's really no need to watch more!

Remember back in the 90's when Full House and The Cosby Show were a big hit and comedy dominated TV? Everything seemed to be so simple and now it's all about being famous in a certain industry. I sometimes wish it was like the old times, when people weren't so worried about how to get on TV.

34 comments:

Anna Pope said...

One of the reasons why I toned down my tv watching is because I am so sick of watching other peoples' lives 24/7. That's why I watch all my sitcoms/tv shows on my computer!

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

If "American Artist" appears that will really be the bitter end. It flies against everything I believe art should be! And what sort of ridiculous contests will they invent, making everyone on the show jacks of all trades and masters of none?!
Where are the good old shows? Though currently I am liking "Mad Men" and "My Boys...."

S (formerly of Modern-Guilt) said...

I agree with the Clothes Horse. Reality television is the antithesis to everything art is and should be. I didn't get cable TV when I moved into my apartment, and I haven't regretted it for a second ever since.

Hannah Bee said...

I agree. Reality shows are just a way for people to make money without having to pay huge sums of money to writers and actors. Bring back quality plot lines!

Me said...

Ah Full House...! And Boy Meets World. Television was so simple when I could come home from school on a Friday, and look forward to TGIF! Then there's Saved By The Bell!

I agree...television is overrun by reality shows, and for the most part, I don't watch a single one of them.

I haven't heard of the new SJP show, but I wouldn't be surprised if all four ladies from SATC get involved in some sort of reality show project. Once your big stint is over, what else are you going to do?

Lisa said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'd love to swap links; I already have you on my blogroll.

Hmm I feel your pain; it seems like more and more lowbrow reality shows are dominating the airwaves. However, I do have my guilty pleasures (The Hills, America's Next Top Model, and So You Think You Can Dance are must-sees).

Brianna Gonzalez said...

reality tv shows are horrible, its like poison! they will make a reality tv show out of just about anything nowadays... i mean they had one for dog groomers! honestly? geez. lol. the only reality show i would ever watch is so you think you can dance. and thats it.
i miss the good ol' days with the funny sitcoms (cosby show, a different world, living single). so sad.

Zornitsa said...

I was a huge fan of Full House.
I am sick of reality shows,too. Now in Bulgaria they are like a big thing and everybody wants to be a star in reality,but I can not understand how somebody would want to become famous starring Big Brother or Survivor

Blonde hair, Blue jeans said...

i hate realities!
in fact....i've never seen one! =)

Morgan said...

im kinda sick of reality tv shows too. i still like the dance shows and like project runway and shear genius.

yea i would love to trade links?
loveha.blogspot.com

(i have already linked u)

Sharon S said...

I remember in the 80s when Dallas and Dynasty were the biggest soap operas going, LOL!! I used to watch them too!

Tricia said...

ooo, Dallas and Dynasty, loved them! contemporary artists obsessed with fame and fortune? perfect ny reality show.

Anonymous said...

I loved full house..I have the first season on dvd (shh..don't tell haha) i do agree though, reality shows are getting just a bit annoying..

roxanne said...

in the 90s, i was something of a tv junkie, but now there's simply not much that retains my interest. there are only so many reality shows you can watch. still, mad men is a very strong antidote to excess reality television.

Anonymous said...

aw, what a great post. let me count the ways in which i was obsessed with uncle jesse!

Anjeanette said...

I know-it's really getting crazy. Have you seen I love money on VH1? It's like the ultimate of reality debauchery. I used to love TGIF!

Economy of Style said...

I do watch my fair share of reality tv, but I agree that there are too many terrible ones, and not many good sitcoms.

emily said...

lol, i can only watch reality tv. it's so addictive and so exciting and i just love it. nothing else really interests me!

Unknown said...

I'll admit ... I'm a reality junkie. I can't get enough of it! But I'm not a fan of SJP, so this show will not be on my to-do list. LOL.

TINA said...

I agree; I'm a bit tired of all these reality TV shows - I wish we just go back to the old times when most TV shows actually had a good plot line and were more in-depth than watching something about this person's life 24/7?
I'm surprised that SJP would start a show lke this, though...

Sure, I would love to link blogs! I'll add you to my blogroll right now. :)

Secretista said...

WELL, it is summer, so you're gunna have to wait 'til the fall for some sitcoms.

Anonymous said...

90s oh the good old days

MyFashionAddictions said...

so true! i also am so sick of the reality shows which are so unrealistic. seen denise richards show for instance? the last episode i saw a shot of, they are trying to get some privacy, away from paparazzi, to try and sunbathe.. so uhm? why is she putting it on her reality show then?? lol. i thought she wanted privacy!!
what will they think of next as a reality theme?
help my dad find a 25 yr old tranny?

Ceci~~~ said...

really can't imagine any relationship between SJP with art?!
honestly i am a fan of SNTC, but i am not interested in her new show.

I love your blog and the way you voice out what you really think and make people think more deeply about an issue.

Imelda Matt - The Despotic Queen of Shoes said...

geez...should I start gouging out my eyes now or should I wait?

Bente said...

I totally agree with you. And i still love full house.

the assistant said...

there is no such thing as reality it is all pretty much scripted and copied off of another show i really miss sitcoms

Stephanie said...

I just posted about Full House! I would love things to go back to the way they were a la Full House, Blossom, Sister Sister, Fresh Prince...Theres going to be a backlash- just look at the comments here, this reality phase cannot go on and on...Granted, it is completely indicative of how star status has evolved- gone are the Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn days when fame was something that was earned, not assumed.

Elizabeth said...

I'm pretty sure I can live without another "reality" show.

♥ Marta ♥ said...

I can relate, sooooo tired of all the reality stuff... UGHH... it's like a bad trend

Anonymous said...

Uncle Jesse... sigh...

Uh yeah. Reality shows are getting very passe. It's overkill.

I recently watched one this week called Millionaire Matchmaker. It was terrible, but sadly, that didn't make me turn it off...

This horrible women set up millionaires with horrible girls, and told girls applying to her company that they weren't trashy enough. Wow. There is something wrong in this world. This woman should not be getting airtime - she's putting awful insecurities into women's minds and making men believe that bimbos are marriage material.

Bollywoodblogger said...

Is it really 'reality' when its all so scripted??

Anonymous said...

oh, i miss full house to.
It was great!

Anonymous said...

oh, i used to watch Full house when came home from school back in the days!