When will reality TV jump the shark?

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2003-01-18 05:33pm

We all know reality TV sucks balls. But when can we expect the great, unwashed masses to figure this out?

Post by **Kuja** » 2003-01-18 05:34pm

Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-01-18 05:35pm

HemlockGrey wrote:We all know reality TV sucks balls. But when can we expect the great, unwashed masses to figure this out?

Probably never. The dumb masses are that way because they're the dumb masses. As long as new and tawdry spectales are devised there are plenty of people that'll watch it.

J · Post by J » 2003-01-18 05:45pm

Soon, I hope, but chances are it'll be replaced by something that's even worse. I've given up on watching mainstream TV and stick to TLC and the Discovery channel these days.

Post by **Kuja** » 2003-01-18 05:49pm

jmac wrote:Soon, I hope, but chances are it'll be replaced by something that's even worse. I've given up on watching mainstream TV and stick to TLC and the Discovery channel these days.

If there's a type of programming worse than reality TV, i never want to see it.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2003-01-18 05:51pm

Never. Idiocy has always plagued us.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2003-01-18 06:32pm

I'd say never. After people get sick of reality TV, they'll think of something even worse. The fact that people watch sutcvh reality TV shows is a sad sign.

Post by **Dalton** » 2003-01-18 06:33pm

I think it already has. I saw 44 midgets go up against an Indian elephant in a DC-10 pulling contest the other night. Man vs. Beast anyone?

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2003-01-18 06:38pm

Dalton wrote:I think it already has. I saw 44 midgets go up against an Indian elephant in a DC-10 pulling contest the other night. Man vs. Beast anyone?

I saw a snippet of that...stared in utter horror as I realized that there are NO deoths to which they will stoop. I predict Reality TV will be with us for a LONG time...hello people, Joe Millionaire scored the highest ratings this season of any show.

Tosho · Post by **Tosho** » 2003-01-18 06:40pm

Dalton wrote:I think it already has. I saw 44 midgets go up against an Indian elephant in a DC-10 pulling contest the other night. Man vs. Beast anyone?

I saw that too, the horror, the horror.

P.S. In case your wondering the Elephant won.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2003-01-18 06:44pm

I am just wondering WTF does "Jump the Shark" mean?

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-01-18 06:44pm

"reality" TV is here to stay at its current levels for five more years at the least.

Post by **Dalton** » 2003-01-18 07:08pm

The Yosemite Bear wrote:I am just wondering WTF does "Jump the Shark" mean?

The point at which a once-good show begins to go downhill. I believe the phrase comes from the episode of Happy Days where the Fonz jumps over a shark on waterskis.

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2003-01-18 07:19pm

Yep...got a website and book about the stuff.

Still funny to see that Simpsons has yet to really Jump the Shark.

As for reality TV...probably never just because things like Joe Millionarie having any sort of success.

As for depths I'm waiting for I dunno either truly sickening or porn...probably live executions the way America is wired.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2003-01-18 07:37pm

The Yosemite Bear wrote:I am just wondering WTF does "Jump the Shark" mean?

I'm predicting there will be "reality" TV show on FOX called that, where people jump over a tank of sharks. Like all crap on TV, it will be a ratings bonanza.

Singular Quartet · Post by **Singular Quartet** » 2003-01-18 07:47pm

According to tghe definition of "Reality," Survivior isn't a reality TV show, its just an overly long and complicated Gameshow, where as a documentary is "Reality Television" as it fits the definition.

Also: Realitiy television is slowly going to hell as we speak. This is why I watch almost no television, except for West Wing.

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2003-01-18 08:41pm

Singuler Quartet wrote:According to tghe definition of "Reality," Survivior isn't a reality TV show, its just an overly long and complicated Gameshow, where as a documentary is "Reality Television" as it fits the definition.

Also: Realitiy television is slowly going to hell as we speak. This is why I watch almost no television, except for West Wing.

Reality television has taken on the definition of just using "real" people and doing shit to people to see how they will react. Without scripts and shit.

The Real World was kind of borderline Reality Television and documentary.

Patrick Degan · Post by **Patrick Degan** » 2003-01-18 09:02pm

The shark-jump happened a looooooooooooooooooooooong time ago. But as long as "reality" TV remains cheap to crank out and can fill timeslots on a network lineup, we'll keep seeing it on TV. And with ratings for all networks as thin as they are now in this age of 500-channel TV, in which a 3-share is considered a "runaway" hit, there will always be a sufficent number of stupid people waiting to tune in to guarantee another season of the latest version of the Circus Maximus.

Frank Hipper · Post by **Frank Hipper** » 2003-01-18 09:15pm

That's why I love my Dish network. Discovery Wings channel, all planes, all the time.
Discovery Civilization, like the History Channel, but better.
History Channel International, like the History Channel, but better.
Nine free movie channels, Muchmusic- like MTV, but better.....aaahhhhh.

And don't give me that "when it rains you lose the signal" crap, this is Arizona, when it does rain here, it doesn't last long!

In other words, "Reality Television" doesn't exist in my world.

Majin Gojira · Post by **Majin Gojira** » 2003-01-19 01:02am

You Lucky sonofabitch!

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2003-01-19 01:02am

I just can't understand how people even sit through reality TV. It's not just stupid, it's BORING. If I wanted to watch to total strangers play idiotic games and piss and moan about stupid bullshit, I'd....I'd...well, metaphor fails me. I'd watch reality TV.

Knife · Post by **Knife** » 2003-01-19 01:08am

It depends, I watched the very first Surviver, and thought it was probably the worst thing on TV. However, that being said, I did enjoy such "real tv" such as Murder in a Small town X, and Combat Missions. Currently I like "Joe Millionaire", though it has its flaws, I like the fact that a bunch of Gold diggers are in for a BIG surprise.

"real TV" is here to stay because it is cheaper than paying a bunch of "stars" one million per episode to produce. Is it Jerry Springer? Yes, but it is still entertaining depending on how far it gets.

Kelly Antilles · Post by **Kelly Antilles** » 2003-01-19 01:11am

All I have to say is thank god they haven't started doing reality game shows like in Japan.

Raptor 597 · Post by **Raptor 597** » 2003-01-19 01:15am

I hate it all. Though Joe Millionaire will be funny to see those money grabbers are in for a shit surrise. and I Must agree with Kelly. In Britain for example the Japanese host have British women shove in their throat as many Bull's Mr. Happies as possible.

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2003-01-19 01:15am

give us time. america's influence spreads.

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When will reality TV jump the shark?

When will reality TV jump the shark?

Re: When will reality TV jump the shark?