Blogcritics: Comments on 2005 Reality TV Rundown

Comment by Eric Berlin

Tue, 4 Jan 2005 12:56:31 EST

I don't remember anyone actually getting booted, though I missed the last episode of the most recent season (which left me sleeping unquietly for weeks). I don't actually enjoy very much of P Diddy's work as an artist, but I was fascinated by his personality on Making the Band: a unique combination of hustle/smarts/know-how/determination. The guy is a born showman and hit-maker, and this show highlighted that more than anything else. ~ Eric B.

Comment by mrbenning

Tue, 4 Jan 2005 12:32:11 EST

Eric, I enjoyed Making The Band as well, if for nothing more than P. Diddy's tough love approach to the contestants. They had to work for their pay and the whiners got booted, an example more people need today.

Comment by Eric Berlin

Fri, 31 Dec 2004 16:01:08 EST

Chip - Please transfer my above comments to The Will. I hadn't heard of that one until now. On some perverse level, I wonder how far down the rabbit hole this thing is going to go, don't you?

Comment by Chip Ross

Fri, 31 Dec 2004 15:53:00 EST

There is a new show about greedy family members fighting over the estate of their dead patriarch, "The Will" on CBS. That seems worse to me than "Daddy," which is really the same thing as those reunion shows on Oprah or Montel. I am a bit surprised by how much uproar "Daddy" has caused. It is at least not bringing death or greed into the equation. But I plan to watch neither one anyway.

Comment by Eric Berlin

Fri, 31 Dec 2004 15:11:44 EST

I predict there's going to be a lot of final-decline-of-civilization-as-we-know-it talk based upon the premiere of Who's your daddy? The reality is: it's a pretty stupid concept, exploitive to its "players" and the audience.

Comment by MrPC

Fri, 31 Dec 2004 15:03:10 EST

Don't forget 2005 (specifically next week I think) will see the debut of Who's your daddy? Look that show up. Talk about a f*cked up premise.

Comment by Eric Berlin

Fri, 31 Dec 2004 03:44:00 EST

Of the new shows, I think only The Contender has a shot at keeping my attention... though the Burnett style of dripping-every-moment-with-longing-and-suspense is beginning to try on me. However, I think that The Apprentice remains one of the more watchable shows on television, along with The Real World (which never seems to get boring... stupid maybe, but not boring). I wish that MTV would bring back Making the Band, which I found incredibly addictive, especially its inside-the-studio moments. About reality vs. scripted TV: it looks as though reality has found a permanent foothold, which is sadly having a chilling effect on greenlighting scripted shows. It's all about profit vs. returns, and reality is super-cheap. Total aside: my wife and I were driving through LA's Valley a few months ago and spotted The Surreal Life van next to us on the 134. I had to admit it was a little bit surreal. Eric Berlin Dumpster Bust: Miracles from Mind Trash http://dumpsterbust.blogspot.com