Is Reality too Real? Or, President Obama the Host of a Reality Show?
Posted: Thursday, February 12, 2009
by Gary W. Halsey Sr.
All Season Karaoke and D.J.
I don't know how you feel about Reality Shows, and what effects you think it has on young people around the world or the kids next door, but I fell victim to these shows, and became addicted to them once I started watching them. Everyday of the week almost, there is some form of a reality shows that is on. For example, lets take American Idol, boy do I wish we had had a show like that when I was at the age where I could have competed. I love to sing as most of my friends and fans know. But to what extent should a reality show go?
The suicide that was sensationalized outside of Paula Abdul's residence was that of a very unstable young lady, that essentially did not know how to take "No" for an answer. Does this sound insensitive, perhaps, but it's true. When these reality shows have this type of a reaction, you have to know that waivers are signed, contracts are established, and agreements made if this should happen. My question is, should our youth be allowed to participate in these types of shows or, should they be more deeply screened to see if they are unstable? Probably not, that would cost millions for the producers of the show. However, it is the responsibility for the parents and family to step up, and let the producers know that their sons or daughters, nieces and nephews, may have a potential "rejection" problem or any known suicidal tendencies, or could be somewhat unpredictable. That is the responsibility of the families.
Reality shows are meant to be entertaining, but to what extent? Having someone climb into a bathtub, full of emperor scorpions, is that smart? But it is entertaining! How about playing stunt dare devils, that are really not "Trained" Professionals, is that smart? No, but funny!! How about making them eat things an animal would not eat? Is that acceptable? No, but it's funny to see somebody "up-chucking on national television, something I always wanted to witness!! Apparently it is funny, because these young people will do this knowing that there is a $50,000.00 prize at the end of the competition that they may have a chance of winning. What impact does this have on our American youth?
I have read some horror stories or heard of kids, everyday kids, see these shows, and try to emmulate the stunts that they have seen on one of these television shows, only to wind up in deadly situations. I witnessed footage on you tube of kids trying to jump off of roofs, because they see it done on TV. One young fellow, wound up being paralyzed from the waist down from such a stunt. This kind of activity is happening everyday because of these shows, although at the beginning of a show, there is a disclaimer that says "You should not try this at home".
Of all the stuntmen that I have worked with, including myself, none are quite that stupid. Number 1, they are trained professionals, they don't eat things that crawl, and they don't take chances that are not well thought out, and tried in a very controlled environment. Kids will be kids, they see it happening on T.V., and they think they can do it, hence they try it no matter how many disclaimers you have out there that they don't even hear or listen to.
How about the experience of love? The Bachelor, or bachelorette shows. I watch these shows and laugh. Now that is comedy. You have a season to get to know one person, out of 25 women or men, and it goes through a process of elimination based on what? It is an organized meat market, and although the bachelor/bachelorette seems sincere at heart, they have a deadline! Not to mention the fact that the world is watching! No pressures, no pressures at all. How can one make an informed decision by meeting 3 or 4 families in a week's time? Everything is so staged, mom and dad are waiting by the door, like they didn't expect the perspective groom or bride to show up, (of course, they were called minutes before the take), and run out acting surprised. What a joke. Is this love.... well.... you be the judge of that. To me, seems a little artificial at best. I would love to see the statistics on the success ratio of these acquaintances...that would be a show all by itself.
Bottom line is, that everybody seems to be enjoying these shows, but what impact do they have on our youth? How they perceive it. After all, the youth do emmulate us, the adults, and their morals are instilled by us as parents. Hopefully this is passed on, and these youths will do the right thing. All we can do is hope....
Reality show "Found", hosted by President Obama
How about a National Deficit show, have President Obama as the host, and the contestants would be numerous CEO's and High Level management, say in the 500k to 1M income range, of course that is not counting the bonus's they can receive on this show. The contestants would be from Wall Street and major Fortune 500 companies. There would be several "action categories of expertise they could choose from" such as;
1. Bringing back jobs from overseas
2. Giving yourself a raise, or not.
3. Making money, for the investors.
4. Alternatives to Bailout Funding.
5. Creating jobs.
6. How to get rid of corporate jets, and use those funds for company R & D!
These would be prospective categories, of course subject to change.
What a concept for a reality show.... we could see how to defeat the National Deficit right on the air. Of course the CEO who would come up with the best plan for recovery, wins. The prize would be national recognition and a bonus party for all of your employees that are inclusive to your plan...and your company name on the cover of "Fortune Magazine" wow. How fun would this be! We could call it...hummmm..."Found". and have it back to back with "Lost" okay okay.... it's just a thought. My logic is, that if you make it a Reality game, maybe folks would become more involved in trying to guess solutions instead of complaining about problems. (Most of us already know what the problems are, but I really don't see to many suggestions for resolution).... and submit.... millions watching...what an interesting thought...although a humorous one!!
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Hey Gary, great article. The only thing that public humiliation and personal tragedy do for these shows is give them lots of free advertising! I mean, no one stares at a train wreck because it's attractive, right? I think President Obama should have a game show called "Was that Really a Promise?". Sorry... I enjoyed this piece. Nice job!Thanks Ken, I agree with the name of the show.....anything to catch attention I always say......Your comments are absolutely true.....Thank you so much for your comments and for taking the time to read....I really appreciate it!!! Your pal in Pen......Gary.
Great article Gary. I know from personal experience that reality shows are much more 'scripted' than 'real' and scenes are created and re-done just for effect and then of course we have selective editing where expressions from one scene are edited in with another to create a 'reaction' to a situation that never actually occurred.
I think it all stinks, but like you I enjoy the odd 'fly on the wall' reality show, but I always keep one foot on the ground and remind myself it's not all that real!
last comment left by me, keep forgetting to log in!Howdy CB, yes I know that they are not as real as reality makes them, but its the young kids that I worry about. sometimes they really don't know the difference, and try these foolish things......I appreciate you stopping by, and leaving your comments, thank you so much, Your friend in pen.......and fan........GaryThe worst incident I was aware of was a girl aged 15 and a young boy copying a stunt as seen on TV involving her being hit over the head in a wood with flaming planks.
The result is that she now has no face. It was completely burned off. Dreadful.
Great article, Gary. I think what bothers me about reality shows (I have never really been a big fan of them) is the fact that the kids think that they can do the same things and everything will turn out okay. Let me explain what I mean. For many years the programs on TV were considered to be fantasy (as opposed to reality). No one took them seriously; they were only stories, inventions, pictures. I think most people understood this and could differentiate between fantasy and reality. Then along comes 'reality shows', which of course, no matter what was happening, always turned out right. Now the kids become confused and the line between fantasy and reality becomes blurred. "If it's reality and everything turns out okay, then I can do it too." What they don't realize is that this is still fantasy in a different package - a very dangerous package.David, I couldn't have said it better. I used to be in the stuntman business for a Western Theme Park here in Tucson AZ, and I know the training required, padding, technique, and hours and hours of conditioning and practice. All of our stunts were well thought out, and practiced. We are trained professionals. The last movie I did stunts in was called Ghost Rock, I was a "specialty" Stuntman, and it's dangerous business if you don't know what you are doing, and these kids worry me...Good comments and you state a great point.....thanks for your comment, and reading my article.....Your friend in pen.......Gary.
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