Reality TV That Doesn't Make You Feel Dirty Watching It

[Undertoad]

Mike Rowe has this remarkable likability quality, as in, he's immediately somebody I'd want to hang around with. Like he's never been a dick to anyone, ever, although you expect somebody that good looking to be a dick. I would not be gay with Mike Rowe but I would happily hold his towel while he's gay with somebody else.

I have never really enjoyed How It's Made, and I like it less since I realized it's really How It's Made In Quebec. Everything you see is being made there. For me this makes it into, like, one of the Japanese shows that's translated into English for the new cable audience. It's fundamentally dishonest, like if you watch it with the original soundtrack you hear some bitter Quebecois saying with a heavy accent "Now zees ess how we stamp out stan-less stell seenks to sell to tha stupeed Americains."

J and I enjoy that "Cash Cab" occasionally but this, too, is not reality programming.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

J and I enjoy that "Cash Cab" occasionally but this, too, is not reality programming.

My wife was childhood friends with the host of that show, Ben Bailey. For the last couple of years, we have been getting e-mail updates about his career from my MIL who is still friends with his parents, and when he got that Cash Cab gig, it was big news. I've only seen it once or twice (no cable in our home) but it's a neat show.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Cash Cab is unique in that, I like watching it, but not annoyed if I'm interrupted.

[TheMercenary]

Funny you would start a thread about this, I was thinking of doing something similar.

I sort of have a beef with RT (Reality TV). On the one hand I really enjoy it, it dominates much of my watching. On the other hand there are a bunch of really crapy shows out there that I just can't relate to and for the life of me can't figure out why people watch them.

I lean towards the shows that are more adventure or out doors like. Some of the first ones on were very good, like This Old House. Most of them we PBS based. No one else was doing them.

I enjoy Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers, the show about the lumber companies in Washington State, Survivor Man is ok but Man vs. Wild is much more realistic and provides more useful info. Much of the stuff on History Channel is good. American Idol is only good for the first few episodes where all the idiots who think they can sing get booted, good for a few laughs. Gardening by the Yard with Paul James is quite informative. Myth Busters is great entertainment and a few new ones along that line have been good.

There was a time when Cops was good, but then it got old. It has been replaced by Cold Case Files, Swat, FBI shows, the show where they chase the car theives, Jacked, and one that I really enjoy, First 48. Parking Wars is funny but not really my style.

Now we move to some of the more questionable ones for me. I don't get shows like Project Runway, Next Top Model, Real World, Big Brother, Temptation Island, The Anna Nicole Show, The Osbournes, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, Hey Paula! and Hogan Knows Best. The show with the black dude with his bling clock (who is one ugly mug) and a bunch of nasty gf trying to win his heart for a date. Now they have added Rookies, about rookie cops who cry on TV when they screw up. And a whole bunch of shows where they throw people together or follow around a bunch of rich wives as they get plastic surgery and argue with their kids and rich friends.

Much of it I don't understand what people get out of some of these.

[jinx]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Parking Wars is funny but not really my style.

That one cracks me up mostly because it's Philly I think. Although people getting booted anywhere is probably funny...

Have you seen any of the episodes where he happens to sing? He used to be a professional opera performer, no shit.

I haven't and did not know that. I'll have to keep watching...

[Undertoad]

And "Breaking Bonaduce". I hate that guy.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

And "Breaking Bonaduce". I hate that guy.

I agree. And that reality show with all the celebs in Rehab, how frigging nasty is that? Watching Nick Nolte and some of those other dropouts makes me sick.

[Cloud]

there's a difference between shows about real things, like cooking, or decorating, or manufacturing . . . and shows about people set up in contrived situations to compete and connive against each other. I won't watch any of the latter. I blame MTV.

[Clodfobble]

Nah, blame Japan. They're the ones that popularized the format years and years before it ever caught on here.

[Sundae]

I think you define reality TV differently than I do.
The ones I named as liking are the really low down dirty ones that you all hate.

I will even kill time watching My Super Sweet 16 and The Newlyweds if I am somewhere with MTV and nothing else on (usually waiting for my parents at their house and not wanting to get interested in a proper programme).

What can I say - I'm like a person who only reads magazines, but will occasionally pick up a good book. Except that's my TV taste - dross, dross, dross, sterling comedy, documentary, dross, dross. That's how I can easily cope without one at present.

[lumberjim]

here's my favorite reality tv.....and it is real.

[Clodfobble]

See? The Japanese completely own us.

[Elspode]

Its really funny when other people get hurt.

[jinx]

The ones that weren't knocked unconscious all came up smiling... they look like they're having a blast. They probably won't even sue.

[lumberjim]

Originally Posted by Elspode

Its really funny when other people get hurt.

fucking totally. remember when i fell in the woods.....it's still funny to me event though it was me....because i can watch it on video, and laugh like it's someone else.