Reality shows....are they all evil?

[bsfins]

I noticed in the other thread,quite a few people said they hate reality shows....Is that all reality shows?

I admit, I've gone to the hatred of all the celebrity reality shows...I used to watch some Ozzie,then a few episode of Gene Simmons....They burn out quick...

I liked the first few seasons of Survivor...Then it seemed like everyone walked in with their head shots,It got boring..Big Brother was the same way....I've never watched American Idol,or the dance shows (no Dancing with the Stars)....I don't watch Game show/talent show reality either....

*** Hijack** I watched Americas got talent one episode, a local band was on,which was a crock because they've had a show down in Branson for many years ** end hijack***

To me there is another group that I hate is the Snapped,Dateline Mysteries,48 hours investigates,I almost got away with it type shows....They go through step,by step through a crime,and talk to different people involved.....(these are too much like my job...)

I do like shows like Pawn Stars,American Pickers,Ice road truckers,Ghost hunters,Destination Truth,Fact or Faked paranormal files,Mysteries at the museum, and History Detectives...I admit, some of those shows have spun off others,and Clones...I don't watch ...

So I'm curious why alot of you hate it?

Do you watch any reality T.V.?

[SportsChick]

I watch a lot of reality TV. Most of it is competition type stuff (Hell's Kitchen, So You Think You Can Dance, Live to Dance, Real World/Road Rules Challenge) but I also like Pawn Stars and stuff like that.....

[Pappy13]

The only reality TV show I will watch is Survivor.  I feel like it's the most "real".  These people have to endure a lot.  If you don't believe me, just ask Jimmy Johnson who participated in the last one.  The first night he got sick and didn't last long and he maintains it's one of the hardest things he's ever done.  They had 2 people quit on the last one because they just got tired of no sleep, rain, cold, little food,  ETC.  Remember these people were giving up on the chance for a million dollars, so they didn't take the decision lightly.  The "rewards" often come down to something as simple as a hot shower, a warm bed, pizza and soda and the people often look like they've just been given a new car.  It truely is a big achievement to just last 30 days let along win the money.

[Sunstroke]

I absolutely cannot stand reality TV. I can't do the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the reality world...and can't do the Survivor/Great Race/unreal reality shows either.

Live sports...now THAT is my kind of reality TV!

[Frimp]

I absolutely cannot stand reality TV. I can't do the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the reality world...and can't do the Survivor/Great Race/unreal reality shows either.

Live sports...now THAT is my kind of reality TV!

This.

What I can't believe is how relevant these people on the show think they are. My wife watches that Teen Mom crap, and one of the idiots on it is in Chattanooga. There have been numerous reports from people who know her who say that she has become the most stuck up bitch since filming that stupid show. She got knocked up at 16, and now she thinks she is above everyone. 

[StL FinFan]

This.

What I can't believe is how relevant these people on the show think they are. My wife watches that Teen Mom crap, and one of the idiots on it is in Chattanooga. There have been numerous reports from people who know her who say that she has become the most stuck up bitch since filming that stupid show. She got knocked up at 16, and now she thinks she is above everyone. 

This.
I am not contributing to the millions of dollars these people are making for being their idiot selves.

On a side note, all the crime shows B said he does not like; I love them.

[BoSoxGrl]

I watch a shitload of reality television.
My reasoning is simple...I have a very stressful job and I have to problem solve all day.
When i come home some days I simply want to not think...what better way then to put on Jersey Shore and zone out?
It is an hour of my week where no one is screaming at me, telling me my policies are outrageous, etc.

Side note:  I also watch a lot of reality television because it makes me feel really smart and content with my little, average life.

[Sunstroke]

I don't do the "cop and doctor" shows either... I've never seen any of the ones that Lil_B listed. The only one that falls in this general area is "Bones," but only if I am totally bored and there aren't any games on.

My TV tastes are really pretty simple: Live sports and sports news eats up 75% of my TV viewing. The other 25% is movies, sci-fi or horror shows (Dr Who, Walking Dead, etc...) and animated comedies (Futurama, South Park, Robot Chicken, ATHF)

[bsfins]

I've found as I've gotten older,I've began to hate sitcoms/dramas,and drawn to more of the informative type reality shows.I'd even throw a show like Mythbusters in that category.(another show I left off that list....) Sitcoms,and Dramas can't stay different,funny,to my liking long enough for me to watch more than a season or so...Most of the shows I watch tend to be different each week,but in the same format....

[Dave Gray]

I was some reality TV.

I can watch the competitive kind, if I feel they're legit, like they're actually competing for something meaningful, like Top Chef or The Ultimate Fighter.  But I can't watch the ones that are competing for something I find to be meaningless (like a game) -- Big Brother, The Apprentice, The Bachelor, etc.  Hell's Kitchen tows a line between the two.  I get frustrated with how fake it is, but I like the premise and wish they'd take it more seriously.

I can also watch ones where all of the contestants are idiots and they're essentially being mocked -- Jersey Shore, Tool Academy.  They have no redeeming value, but I laugh at them because the people are usually good for one hilarious statement per episode.

As for Pawn Stars and American Pickers, I don't even REALLY consider them reality shows.  But if they are, I can watch these as well and enjoy them fully.  They come off more as documentaries to me, though.  At least what I take away from them is.

[masterfins]

Some I like : American Pickers, Pawn Stars, Top Chef, Amazing Race (sometimes), Survivor (25% of the time), Hell's Kitchen.

Others are a waste of space: American Idol, Dancing with the stars, Bachelor, Millionaire matchmaker, any "Real" Housewives, etc.

I also thought American Scrappers was funny, they stopped after five episodes though.

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

My wife watches anything reality on TV. I will watch a few shows with her like Big Brother or the Amazing Race with a little American Idol or Celebrity Apprentice mixed in. However she watches all the Jersey Shore, I love Money, & Tool Academy shit that drives me up the wall. I will not spend 10 seconds on this crap. I like the Deadliest Catch and Pawn Stars or Mythbusters type shows as well but I do not really consider them much of a reality show as they aren't really competing for anything just documenting their everyday careers.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I watch two types of reality shows:

Football games. 

The evening news. 

[Frimp]

I don't consider Mythbusters a reality show. Its more informative entertainment.

[Dave Gray]

One show that bothers me: Extreme Home Makeover.

On one hand, these people definitely get hooked up with a nice house, however, it doesn't seem genuine to me.  It's like sponsored charity that exists to pimp a bunch of products, not to really help people.  It's like they're exploiting the destitute with a big pity party.  ...on top of that, to make the show entertaining, the make these crazy, impractical houses.

But they are doing something nice for them....I don't know.  When the cameras turn off, none of those people involved are helping.  It's their job.