Thread: Wife Swap

I loathe reality TV...everything from Wife Swap to Survivor to American Idol. My main contention is that I watch television to escape reality, not to extend it. But I also don't identify with the retards they pull in for these shows, nor do I fall for the advertising that's the whole basis for television as it is now. So reality TV is just not my cup o' tea.

But this can hardly be called reality. Obviously it's not luck of the draw putting a black woman with a family of white supremacists, or putting a devout Catholic with a family of atheists. It's all in the name of generating the type of conflict that will get people to tune in, regardless of whether it's real, staged, or set up. And viewership is all the networks are interested in...that's what brings in advertisers that pay to put the shows we love oh-so-much on the air.

I keep having this crazy idea--let's all stop watching these crappy shows that the major networks assume we like so much. If no one's watching, no advertisers will buy ad time, the shows will get cancelled, and the networks will have to come up with better ideas. A lot of really great shows have died just because they didn't have a wide enough audience (Arrested Development...RIP) and advertisers weren't interested in paying for time in that slot. So maybe if enough people just stop watching reality TV, the major networks will get the idea that we're sick of it and want something new and innovative (although every time something new and innovative comes on network television it usually dies in a few weeks due to lack of interest. Cable/Satellite TV is far superior in finding shows that suit one's tastes).

Okay, I know that's just a pipe dream, but I'm still going to hope for it.

I loathe reality TV...everything from Wife Swap to Survivor to American Idol. My main contention is that I watch television to escape reality, not to extend it. But I also don't identify with the retards they pull in for these shows, nor do I fall for the advertising that's the whole basis for television as it is now. So reality TV is just not my cup o' tea.

Boooo, hey who you calling a retard?




Not all reality shows are bad, like survivor or American idol. Its fun to watch People compete and go for their dreams. The ones i dont like are the shows that take it too far like Wife swap or fear factor.

A lot of really great shows have died just because they didn't have a wide enough audience (Arrested Development...RIP) and advertisers weren't interested in paying for time in that slot. So maybe if enough people just stop watching reality TV, the major networks will get the idea that we're sick of it and want something new and innovative (although every time something new and innovative comes on network television it usually dies in a few weeks due to lack of interest. Cable/Satellite TV is far superior in finding shows that suit one's tastes).

I don't think these shows died because of reality tv, they just bored the hell out of some People(Like me). Reality TV keeps on surviving because it entertains. So as long as people love it, good luck in seeing something new. Maybe people will get bored of it someday like Arrested Development and will see something new.

I'm pretty sure the American version is called "Trading Spaces" on TLC, if anyone is wondering. I could be wrong, though; the last time I watched TLC was... Maybe three years ago?

These guys are crazy. An entire Neo-Nazi family living in America? Ku Klux Klan is bad enough, and the most I'd expect, but really, an entire family...

America's culture has been degrading and cheapening throughout the years. Look at how far The Jerry Springer Show has gone; I'm not sure, but I think the 70s and perhaps the 80s would've booted the show. And it's not just TV. I don't know about anyone else, but I'd prefer songs that weren't about miscreants proclaiming their use of profanity, their inability to pull up their trousers/pants, and their simple... Apathy, but ignorance is more like it. I'm looking at you, Eminem! The fact that such people can become candidates for a Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Award has really killed American youth culture for me... And the future integrity of children's television stations.

To me, most "reality TV" shouldn't have the word "reality" in it. It should be replaced with "drama", "tacky 'n tasteless", or "Downgrading of quality entertainment and sometimes culture standards". Yes, I admit, those shows are getting devoured by audiences, and perhaps not all reality TV shows are as shallow as that, but... Dignity, people, dignity! Is it too much mental strain to inject some intelligence into some of these shows? Or to appreciate shows with a certain level of wit?

Trying to do something unorthodox to distinguish one from competitors is inevitable and all, but if its TV, it's mainstream media. If it's mainstram media, then it'll be fed to the masses. If it's fed to the masses, they'll simply only demand someting even more shocking; that, and/or TV producers and TV networks start producing things even more uorthodox, seeing the runaway success of other shows. And then unorthodox turns into "idiotic and cheap"... And all the while, people are getting used to "unorthodox" shows. And, of course, that's where "reality" shows like this come in.

At this rate, the quality of American entertainment will be... unfathomably low... If only people had something better to do (like, say... reading a book, going outisde :gasp!: I've never traveled around my neighborhood outside of a car!...) than subjecting their mind to garbage.

Hmm reality TV shows? Not really interesting to me... showing some unknown people and make them do things for money or prizes or fame sheesh

and most of them are boring.. but i love laughing at some goons in American Idol.. we have Malaysian idol too and i think its a great way to pull out new talents ^^

Fear Factor.. hmm.. its ok.. i love grossiness

I never seen such ones as... wife swap... sounds weird... o.O

Originally Posted by abby724

I'm pretty sure the American version is called "Trading Spaces" on TLC, if anyone is wondering. I could be wrong, though; the last time I watched TLC was... Maybe three years ago?

Ah, no. Trading Spaces is a design show where friends/family/neighbors redecorate a room in each others homes.


It sounds like I might like the British version of Wife Swap. I hate the US one though and do not watch it. Mind you I don't care for most US reality shows. I tend to enjoy the British ones however.... wonder if my cable provider will pick up the new BBC channel?