Wednesday 22 December 2010

Reality television I can stand

IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ME or have read some of my Tweets or Facebook updates you'll know that I literally cannot stand reality tv.

Ever since the success of Channel 4's Big Brother television producers have bombarded our screens with similar cheap, dumbed down series and new age talent shows creating this mind melting utopia for people to immerse themselves in.

As far as I'm concerned shows like XFactor, I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Britain's Got Talent and Masterchef are worthless trash. Yes they can be entertaining, but surely that's as far as it goes? But the public just doesn't seem to see that. If people took more important issues - global warming, human rights, civil war and injustice - as seriously as they do these shows I'm sure we'd get a lot more done in the world.


But, hold the phone .... One show unlike the rest that has changed the landscape of reality TV is the BBC's Apprentice. Intelligent aswell as popular Lord Sugar's search for his newest recruit trumps all other mindless reality TV with one swift swoop. Instead of watching an overley dramatic karaoke show The Apprentice offers a slick programme fronted by a group of highly skilled 'go getters' who use brainpower, creativity and leadership to win.  It offers similar entertainment values such as contestants, drama, documentary filming and a panel of judges ... What more do reality junkies want? Oh yes, that's it .. Celebrities, flashing lights, shiny costumes, adverts to plug their forthcoming tour and an endless amount of endorsed products to give air-time too during breaks. We've been watered down to expect so little from TV these days trash programming has become the norm and the obsession with celebrity paramount.



Since when did it become so easy to get on TV for being stupid? A generation of bright minds lost to cheap telly, an exaggeration, sure ... But if only more reality shows could take a leaf out of Lord Sugar's book and create something that doesn't appeal to the lowest common denominator, we'd all be more inspired and actually learn something of value that doesn't revolve around designer clothes or the latest celebrity sex scandal.

Entertaining no doubt - mind melting ... Without question

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