My husband was the first one I heard say the whole balloon boy saga was a hoax. Now we hear the boy's dad was pimping his family out hoping to get a show. For the most part, I don't watch a lot of television. However my daughter will watch those "reality" shows if I don't police the remote. I've told her Jon & Kate, The Real Housewives of ..., L.A. Ink, Cake Boss etc. are loosely if not totally scripted. (then there is the whole category of celebrity reality shows!) Drama and exaggerated story lines are created to boost ratings. The cast become actors playing it up for the camera. It's not real in the sense of what everyday people consider real. I'm not passing judgment on these types of shows. I just don't want my daughter to think it's normal behavior to pull hair, flip tables and cuss people out. It is entertainment. Made up drama.
My first recollection of reality t.v. was Real World New York on Mtv in 1992. The whole premise of the show had me hooked. I won't say it was completely authentic. Perhaps as authentic as you could get knowing you were being filmed. Looking over the last 17 years, reality t.v. started as one thing and has evolved into something completely different. I guess it's what the viewers want.
4 comments:
I loved "The Real World", SF, because we were in Philly, missing SF terribly.
I was sucked in by the balloon boy story. I know that pretty much as soon as the balloon landed and no boy was inside, people were saying it was probably a hoax. An idea I fought, because I hated that people could be that harsh. Of course, looks like the cynics were right. The only thing worse would be if they had crammed him in and set him loose themselves. That would be worse.
I think this story is a fable for our society - we're all glitz and desire and have no regard for others at all. I can't believe the way these parents have used their children. Creeps me out.
I don't watch much TV but I do watch Survivor; it is the only reality show I watch and I don't know why I watch it, to be honest.
I just can't watch Reality TV anymore, but I have to fight with my girls to turn them off. I watched the first MTV Real World in NYC, back in college, I think it was college, and the first 2 Survivors, but I just don't like them, or tv for that much. My girls love America's Next Top Model.
I had a feeling it was a hoax, when I heard they were on Wife Swap. Pretty sad, but thankfully, the boy wasn't really involved.
The original Real World was the beginning of reality tv, and still holds a special place in my heart. Pedro (RIP), Rachel, even that disgusting Puck... they were as real as reality tv has ever been. I saw Rachel on the View the other day - she and the other guy from the show (can't remember his name) have SIX kids and she's expecting #7 soon. They seem to be a happy family, and I think that's just super that they met through the show.
Back on the real topic: I called the Balloon Boy (or as John Mayer said on Twitter - "Attic Boy") story about 3 hours before they found him. (my prediction is documented on Facebook, btw LOL) But I never in a million years would have figured out the whole sordid story! I hope they take those kids from the dad and that the mom can find some peace apart from him. Not likely, though, in either case.
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