Jul
28
Craig’s brother Adam here. I have been a fan of reality television since 1994 when I saw a marathon of the entire season of The Real World – Los Angeles on MTV. As far as I was concerned that was the peak for The Real World. San Francisco and London seasons were both very boring and I stopped watching. Until 1999 when I was in the US NAVY on my second Western Pacific Deployment aboard the USS Santa Fe. About 5 months into the 6-month deployment we pulled into Guam and since Guam has a giant Navy base we were all able to get barracks rooms to stay in for the week, which was a welcome treat after five months aboard the ship. Each of the rooms had television and guess what MTV was running that first weekend? It was The Real World – Hawaii season marathon. This was a great thing for a group of young homesick Hawaii based sailors to be watching a group of young people going to the same places we like to go and partying in the same clubs where we liked to party.
In any case, my point is that reality television is here to stay and I have been watching for a long time. Here are a few of the reality shows that I currently watch or watched in the past:
Reality Show: Survivor
What I Like: I think this was the first “main stream” reality show so you have to appreciate the fact that this show was the first to bring reality television to the masses. I started watching because everyone that I knew was watching it.
What I Hate: After watching two seasons of this show, it seemed to me that the people that won were always the ones that lied, bullied and cheated the most.
Why I Stopped Watching: I quickly got tired of watching the worst people win all the money.
Reality Show: Ice Road Truckers
What I Like: Just some regular guys trying to get a very difficult job done. Some of the guys are very smart hard working guys and others on the show are just a bunch of chuckleheads. It’s a broad cross section of humanity that is pretty fun to watch each week.
What I Hate: Season 1 took place on the Yellowknife ice roads. For season 2 they have taken four of the season 1 truck drivers and got them jobs driving on a different ice road further north and it feels a little contrived.
Why I Continue to Watch: So far the good outweighs the bad and the Sunday evening time slot makes it a great way to finish the weekend.
Reality Show: The Biggest Loser
What I Like: Just a bunch of normal people trying to lose weight. As someone that struggles with my weight, I find this show both entertaining and inspiring.
What I Hate: The show is a little too much like Survivor in that at the end of each show one of the players gets voted off the show. I think it would be better if the players were eliminated solely on the basis of weigh loss to eliminate a lot of the “game playing” that makes it almost impossible for the best players to make it into the finale.
Why I Continue to Watch: The good still out weighs the bad and it seems like they are constantly fine tuning the rules each season to ensure that the hardest working people make it further in the game.
Reality Show: Little People, Big World
What I Like: Just a nice normal family trying to lead a normal life on their farm selling pumpkins and peaches while overcoming the challenges of being little people.
What I Hate: The first season they were a nice normal family working several jobs to make ends meet. After the first season, it’s apparent that the Roloff Family has hit the big time. Remodeling their entire house, going on vacation every other week, etc., it’s all very contrived.
Why I Stopped Watching: After the first season, I just could not identify with the Roloff Family anymore.
Reality Show: Shear Genius
What I Like: Yes, I am a straight man and I like to watch a reality show about a bunch of hairdressers. But these are not fabulously wealthy hairdressers to the stars, these are real down to earth people. Some have been in the business for many years and some are fairly new to the business and they compete each week doing a job that they love. Besides that, I have had a crush on Jaclyn Smith since the late 70’s.
What I Hate: Sometimes the contestants get saddled with a client that is hard to deal with. For example, a client that doesn’t want their hair cut or colored. Why are these people on the show?!!! Don’t they understand the premise of the show?!!!
Why I Continue to Watch: What’s not to like about this show? Real people, a fair competition, Jaclyn Smith, this show has it all.
Reality Show: Project Runway
What I Like: Okay now I know that my manhood is really in question here but hear me out. It’s very similar to Shear Genius. Real People competing in a contest doing something they love and the beautiful host, Heidi Klum.
What I Hate: I am totally clueless when it comes to fashion so the designer that I think is the best never wins.
Why I Continue to Watch: Again… What’s not to like about this show?!!!
So there you have it, my take on reality TV. In case you did not see the pattern, I like real people doing real things. I don’t enjoy watching rich and fabulous people spend 60 minutes each week showing me how fabulous they are or how much money they can spend. Yeah, I am looking at you, Real Housewives and Gene Simmons. And I also don’t like when reality shows deal in matters of the heart like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.
So tell me what you think about reality TV.
July 28th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Ironically, I just watch the Sheer Genius marathon that was on Saturday on Bravo — never saw it before. I was surprised at how entertaining it was. And you’re right — Jaclyn Smith is *still* majorly hot (I had a crush on here when I was a young’n too). Too bad the Columbus girl got kicked off already.
And, yeah, I’m a straight guy that can’t get enough of Project Runway either (but they gotta do more guy clothes). I’m one few-and-far-between guys that don’t think Heidi Klum is overly attractive. She’s alright — beautiful in a glam, but ho-hum sort of way. She can’t hold a candle to Jaclyn.
Or Jamie Lee Curtis. 
Has anyone seen “Deadliest Catch” on Discovery? Who’da thought catching crab would be so engaging?!
July 28th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Dave S: Deadliest Catch is such a good show!
I like Little People, Big World even though the kids are slightly annoying.
Survivor started being a dumb a long time ago. Why would you go on an island and not know how to swim, shouldn’t that be a prerequisite?
Some of the drivers on Ice Truckers seem to be a bit sketchy.
Project Runway will always be good.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Off brand Craig week is off to a good start!
I never watched Survivor and remember when the ads came on for it that I thought it was stupid and that it wouldn’t last more than one season. Survivor: 1, me: 0.
Shear Genius was entertaining enough, but I tried to watch the second season and couldn’t do it; maybe I’ll catch a marathon. I will state for the record as well that Jacklyn Smith, the most attractive angel in my opinion, looks amazing. She is totally crush worthy, though you have competition in that regard. On top of that beauty, she seems pretty nice too.
I also watch Project Runway (no, you cannot have my man card) and do enjoy it. I feel the same; the shows that require people to do something real are best.
Oh, and I caught Ice Road Truckers at my parent’s house yesterday. I have to say, that is some crazy work and the show wasn’t bad.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:50 am
The only show I watch that you listed is Project Runway. And everyone who gives it a chance loves it!
This seasons I’m really liking Kenley and Terri, although they NEVER show Terri doing anything!
And I don’t like Suede and I’m sooo mad his dress won in the last episode cause it was totally not the best one.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Good review.
In Bossy’s case, she saw, she conquered, she turned off her set. Except when it comes to Little People Big World. And Jon & Kate Plus Eight. And every single reality show on Bravo.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Excellent post Adam! You actually made me wish I watched more reality tv. The only two shows that ever kept my interest were America’s Top Model and Who Wants to be a Superhero? I had a perverse sense of enjoyment watching obscenely beautiful thin people being bitchy and kicked out one by one every week.
I saw Superhero as a marathon on SF channel and was surprised how entertaining it was. Unlike most shows it also rewarded contestents for their goodness and generosity to one another. The media hungry fakes seemed to be weeded out and I was genuinely happy for the guy who won.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:19 am
I confess I refuse to watch reality TV on the principle of it. I detest it. Sorry. Unless you count Mythbusters, but in our house reality TV is a big bad no-no.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Speaking of reality TV…
My son is totally addicted to “Total Drama Island” on Cartoon Network. It’s an animated, tongue-in-cheek spoof of reality shows. Some of it’s pretty funny.
July 28th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I watched Survivor for one season, it was stupid. I still like Little People, and as someone else mentioned John & Kate + 8. However, I am all about Project Runway, have been since I caught a first season marathon early in the second season. Been with it ever since. And I agree with Dave S, they need more men’s clothes, cause that would mean more male MODELS! Whooo-hooo! And yeah, Dave S., I have seen that cartoon, the stereotypes are outstanding! And some of it IS pretty funny.
And speaking of both Project Runway and Dave S., starting this Wednesday, he and i will be collaborating on a dual review of each and every Project Runway episode! It’ll be posted on my blog wednesday evening after each episodes ends. Come check it out. We’ve tentatively titled it: In & Auf.
HUGS…
July 28th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Polt: I can’t wait to see the reviews you and Dave S. write!
Nicky: I’m not a fan of Suede either. If he doesn’t stop with the third person bit, he is going to get shot.
I’m also tired of the other idiot who keeps adding “licious” to everything. I’m reminded of Mean Girls: “Gretchen, stop trying to make fetch happen! It’s not going to happen!”
Licious isn’t going to happen. Fierce was funny for about 10 minutes, but even that got tired. (though I laughed my butt off when I heard Tim refer to one of the outfits as a “hot mess”.)
July 28th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I never watch reality TV.
July 28th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Hi Adam!
john - are you me? I was going to write the same comment! Michelle thinks that it’s fiercely weirdlicious.
I tend to prefer the reality shows where you have to use your creativity to win. So, Top Chef and Project Runway are probably my favorites. Watched the first season of Shear Genius, but am waiting for it to be almost over so I can have a big ole marathon viewing.
Love Jon and Kate plus 8. My favorite kid varies. Loved Colin stuffing the doll into the car, Leah going down the slide, Aiden saying he “can’t see sheep” and Hannah folding those towels. So cute!
Heading over to Polt’s blog now. Yay!
July 28th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I wish john and kate plus 8 would just go away, please, if I say anything more I’m going to be censored…
July 28th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I watched the first season or season-and-a-half of The Real World and really liked it. After that was the years-of-no-cable, leading into the current situation of not having a television at all, so I’ve heard of most of these but only caught the occasional show on other people’s TVs or what I can find on-line. Hence the fascination with Hell’s Kitchen. (And Polt, I’ll certainly head over and read your reviews so I can keep up with things!)
July 28th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I’m psyched about doing the Project Runway thing with Polt! (and honored that he asked me to join in) Can’t wait!!
July 28th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
john: You’re so right about how ‘licious’ is not going to happen.
I feel like both ‘licious’ (Blayne) and the third person speaking (Suede) are both desperate attempts to be memorable. They want it to be their ‘thing,’ only it’s not natural and it comes off as so annoying.
And I too am excited about the reviews from Polt and Dave S!
July 28th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Speaking of licious, look what I just found on Pink is the New Blog…
http://pinkisthenewblog.com/home/girlicious-debut-their-album-art/
July 28th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Michelle M.: I don’t think so (and for your sake I hope not). And don’t think I missed the third person reference to your self. Don’t make me get my keys.
Nicky: I completely agree. When will they learn that they should try to stick out by being talented rather than having a catch phrase?
And here I thought Teach Me Something Tuesday was the highlight of my week, I can’t wait for Thursday’s Polt/Dave S. post!
July 28th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Adam, good blog! I think my favorite reality show is Biggest Loser. I agree with you, they should forget the game playing and award the ones who loses the most weight. Pat.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:02 am
Adam: Good choices! Personally, I gave up on most reality tv shows because they simply started sucking really hard - but don’t get me wrong, I have some on rotation. My faves are So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol!, and My Life on the D-List. That’s about all the reality tv I watch. Kathy Griffin is HILARIOUS!
July 29th, 2008 at 2:04 am
Oh! I almost forgot: when I can catch an episode that isn’t a rerun, I also like Girls Next Door. Kendra’s my favorite, I love her laugh.
July 29th, 2008 at 4:11 am
Himbo - Oh my gosh, how could I forget about the hilarious Kathy Griffin?? I love her! You are obviously a person of distinction and taste (as are all Puntabulous readers).
August 1st, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Am I the only one who thinks that Zach from Little People Big World is a doppelgänger for B J Novak (Ryan on The Office)
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:11 pm
I don’t really watch any reality television except for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. It’s nice to see good things happening to deserving people.