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Tremble, Trolls!! BIG BROTHER Be Back!!
Come out, come out, my little reality-hating talkbackers.
Herc is not on the fence when it comes to “Big Brother.” Herc never missed an episode of the first two seasons on CBS, and Herc inevitably and obsessively watches the Internet’s live feeds until the last contestants are finally booted back to their real lives. (Herc’s even concocted a secret, terribly rude “Big Brother” theme song set to the tune of Spinal Tap’s “Big Bottom”!)
Can I express how gratified I was when I saw that E! special last summer? The one on which Amy Acker, David Boreanaz, and J. August Richards all gushed about how obsessed they were with “Big Brother”? Yes, they’re just dopey TV actors, but they were good enough to share the love. Eyegore and I were no longer alone!
Why aren’t more people vocal in their ardor for this show? There’s such a lot of us watching it! It garnered a huge audience when it bowed two years ago on CBS. It was a bigger hit when CBS brought it back with Will, Krista and Shannon last season. “Brother” continues to be a sensation overseas. Herc, Eyegore and the cast of “Angel” can’t be the only ones watching this fabulous franchise!
Critics call it boring. I swear it’s not. People go nuts inside that little house! There’s no relief valve! It’s a big simmering three-month cauldron of love, hate, plotting, paranoia and plain old-fashioned bad behavior. Cut off from television, music and news from the outside, contestants have as a source of entertainment only other contestants. And more often than not, they’re in the mood for drama!
Plus? There’s so much of it. Many balk at having to commit to three hours of primetime every single week, but I like the longform, I like lots of continuity, I like that the producers have less to edit out.
Plus plus? It was well over 100 degrees today here in beautiful Studio City, halter-top capital of the world and the site of the “Big Brother” domicile. This year’s house is teeming with Colleens and Ambers and Elisabeths. The girls are all hot, and for the first time none is older than 36.
Meet Herc’s new neighbors here.
Wednesdays 9 p.m. (the “Amazing Race” slot). Thursdays at 8 p.m. (the “Survivor” slot). Saturdays at 8 p.m. (the “Touched By An Angel” slot). CBS.
Can I express how gratified I was when I saw that E! special last summer? The one on which Amy Acker, David Boreanaz, and J. August Richards all gushed about how obsessed they were with “Big Brother”? Yes, they’re just dopey TV actors, but they were good enough to share the love. Eyegore and I were no longer alone!
Why aren’t more people vocal in their ardor for this show? There’s such a lot of us watching it! It garnered a huge audience when it bowed two years ago on CBS. It was a bigger hit when CBS brought it back with Will, Krista and Shannon last season. “Brother” continues to be a sensation overseas. Herc, Eyegore and the cast of “Angel” can’t be the only ones watching this fabulous franchise!
Critics call it boring. I swear it’s not. People go nuts inside that little house! There’s no relief valve! It’s a big simmering three-month cauldron of love, hate, plotting, paranoia and plain old-fashioned bad behavior. Cut off from television, music and news from the outside, contestants have as a source of entertainment only other contestants. And more often than not, they’re in the mood for drama!
Plus? There’s so much of it. Many balk at having to commit to three hours of primetime every single week, but I like the longform, I like lots of continuity, I like that the producers have less to edit out.
Plus plus? It was well over 100 degrees today here in beautiful Studio City, halter-top capital of the world and the site of the “Big Brother” domicile. This year’s house is teeming with Colleens and Ambers and Elisabeths. The girls are all hot, and for the first time none is older than 36.
Meet Herc’s new neighbors here.
Wednesdays 9 p.m. (the “Amazing Race” slot). Thursdays at 8 p.m. (the “Survivor” slot). Saturdays at 8 p.m. (the “Touched By An Angel” slot). CBS.
Critics call it boring. I swear it’s not. People go nuts inside that little house! There’s no relief valve! It’s a big simmering three-month cauldron of love, hate, plotting, paranoia and plain old-fashioned bad behavior. Cut off from television, music and news from the outside, contestants have as a source of entertainment only other contestants. And more often than not, they’re in the mood for drama!
Plus? There’s so much of it. Many balk at having to commit to three hours of primetime every single week, but I like the longform, I like lots of continuity, I like that the producers have less to edit out.
Plus plus? It was well over 100 degrees today here in beautiful Studio City, halter-top capital of the world and the site of the “Big Brother” domicile. This year’s house is teeming with Colleens and Ambers and Elisabeths. The girls are all hot, and for the first time none is older than 36.
Meet Herc’s new neighbors here.
Wednesdays 9 p.m. (the “Amazing Race” slot). Thursdays at 8 p.m. (the “Survivor” slot). Saturdays at 8 p.m. (the “Touched By An Angel” slot). CBS.
Plus plus? It was well over 100 degrees today here in beautiful Studio City, halter-top capital of the world and the site of the “Big Brother” domicile. This year’s house is teeming with Colleens and Ambers and Elisabeths. The girls are all hot, and for the first time none is older than 36.
Meet Herc’s new neighbors here.
Wednesdays 9 p.m. (the “Amazing Race” slot). Thursdays at 8 p.m. (the “Survivor” slot). Saturdays at 8 p.m. (the “Touched By An Angel” slot). CBS.
Wednesdays 9 p.m. (the “Amazing Race” slot). Thursdays at 8 p.m. (the “Survivor” slot). Saturdays at 8 p.m. (the “Touched By An Angel” slot). CBS.
Bonus! A few words about reality shows generally:
Why do we post about reality shows? Because people love ‘em!
* “Survivor: Africa” and “Survivor: Marquesas” made up two-fifths of this season’s top five shows (despite the fact that they had to compete most weeks against “Friends,” the year’s number-one show).
* “The Real World” and “The Osbournes” are MTV’s two top-rated shows. “The Real World: Chicago” ranks as the most-watched edition of the seminal series ever.
* “Blind Date” remains so popular it just inspired its 70th clone.
* “The Bachelor” was one of the few bright points on the ABC schedule this year. Its finale, aired the first day of May sweeps, crushed the competition.
* Fox’s talent-hunt show “American Idol,” with the Englishman who mocks all the O-Town rejects, is burning up the Nielsens.
* "Fear Factor" and "Dog Eat Dog" are huge hits for the peacock net.
* “The Mole 2,” yanked after three episodes last fall, has been ABC’s top rated show among adults 18-49 for weeks!
So if so many love the reality, why so much angry talkback? Could it be … some talkbackers are just too young for the genre? There are indications that a viewer is less likely to embrace a reality show if he or she is not yet out of high school. “Survivor” was among of the top five shows among adults 18-49 this season, alongside the likes of “Friends,” “ER” and “CSI.” But the top five for teens 12-17 include more cartoonish fare: “Malcolm in the Middle,” “The Simpsons” and “Greg the Bunny.”
Reality skeins offer unprecedented amounts of dramatic texture - and mesh well with a chaotic world view, where the meek frequently inherit nothing and evil is rewarded as often as good. Some not only watch “The Real World” each week, they watch the same episode two of three times within a matter of days.
Yes, we understand that reality shows are not real. We get that. But they’re more real than “Dawson’s Creek,” capice? So if you want to bitch about reality shows, knock yourself out. But don’t just say they’re boring. Just saying something’s boring is borning it itself. Get into the specific scenes or incidents you found boring why doncha? Or, you know, just watch one of the 90 other channels.
Bandwidth. Predictions. Reactions.
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...to say that I like and look forward to Big Brother. I really like the last season, when the evil doctor won it all. Ya gotta respect someone who said from the very beginning that he'd lie to win. And that he did. Let's hope there is someone with enough balls to stick to their gameplan this season. I AM SushiX!
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I loved the first season, and the second season I kinda HAD to watch because my cousin (Autumn) was on it (though she got ousted early). :( But it's still TV's neatest, most Truman-show-esque experiement. I look forward to this round!!
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for the very fact that they are NOT real. They are just as phony and scripted as your average network sitcom. First take a group of five or six individuals, each one with characteristics and personality "quirks" that are exaggerated and heightened for effect and put them in the most stupid and contrived circumstances possible. Usually these people have "colorful" Occupations (actor, "artiste", bike messenger) or are living off some kind of trust fund so everyday concerns, like actual work and finacial worries never enter the picture. As result the illusion of reality is obliterated from the onset.
Next, have the producers artificially concoct confict and crises, steering the circumstances in a direction that they deem would suck in the most viewers. Mostly these cocnocted pseudo-storylines involve people forming groups and ganging up on each other in interminable bitchfests. Or sex. That's it. An endless cycle of bitching and/or sex.
That's entertaining?
This formula was established waaay back in the days of "Real World New York", which I stopped watching after the f.It hasn't changed at all, from what I can see. I gave up in disgust after three episodes then. I found it as exciting and interesting as an average "All my Children". Why put myself through further punishment?
If they are going to have pretty people get put through melodramatic, soap-opera situations and conflicts, they damn well better put some vampires and kung fu in it. At least those guys make no pretenses for versimilitude.
On second thought, I find that show is more "real" than that Big Brother/Real World/survivor dreck. -
If you gave up on "Real World" after the third episode, "Big Brother" is probably not the show for you.
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Frankly, I despise all of these shows. The last reality show I watched was Real World San Fran. and I gave up on that due to the antics of that douchebag Puck (little did I know that guy was ahead of his time - nowadays it pays to get on t.v. and act like that. Also, why is it called the "real world?" Nobody is ever apparently in school, has a job, in debt, or has any sort of commitment or resposibility. What is "real" about a gaggle of drunk, rude, and/or horny nitwits living in a glamorous house paid for by MTV who have nothing else to do but drink every night and decide who they want to bang? - I guess following people to their 9-5 jobs and watching them pay taxes so these a-holes can have nice paved roads to drive on to their next party isn't a ratings grabber but it is "real"). I really have no idea why people are so fascinated with these shows. They are nothing more than showcases for instant fame-hungry, narcissistic pretty boys and girls who crave attention and are looking to do an end-run around hard work, talent and commitment to get an acting, modeling or t.v. hosting gig. How can people relate to any of these jerkoffs? Nobody with anything going on in their life or has any sort of responsibility can piss off to a tropical island or be locked in a house for months on end. Also, how sad (and desperate for attention) do you have to be to go on t.v. to find a date or husband or wife and why do we idolize and make celebrities of those who do? Seriously, what is so interesting about watching a bunch of self-involved assholes sitting around bitching about each other, trying to build a fire, rolling in mud, eating cereal, etc. If I want to see a bunch of bitter, backbiting jackoff's doing nothing in particular, plotting, eating, and screwing each other over I can just go to work in the morning.
My advice if you like "reality" t.v. is to watch any Frontline documentary on PBS (God forbid you might learn something too) or even Animal Precinct (I think it is called) on Animal Planet (about NY cops who deal with crimes/abuse involving animals. Really gripping stuff. I can only hope that this "reality" crap is a fad that will run its course very soon.....
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i've never enjoyed fiction as much as non fiction because i consider my imagination to rival most writers i've seen.
what does interest me is watching human beings react to one another in contrived situations, situations that i dont see in my day to day life.
big brother 2 was the most entertaining show in history. THE most dramatic and THE funniest.
if you cant stand watching real humans, and would rather watch chandler and ross... well.. ok. -
to admit that I watched just about every single installment of BB2 (but maybe I should be). It was bloody addictive. Never watched any other reality series before it, and I haven't watched any since, but you can bet I'll be tuning in tonight. Oddly enough, I really have to make a leap here and call BB the "thinking man's" reality series. If you've got any interest in the psychology of that pesky critter known as the human being, then this is the show for you. The only factor that sells this theory short is the diary room stuff - in which the players get to give it all up to the viewer, whilst keeping their opponents in the dark as to their strategies. Make sense? I didn't think so...
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Jul 10, 2002 12:36:54 PM CDT
Herc, I think the reason so many talkbackers rip on reality show
by priestyoungblood
...they're awful. At least, I'm pretty sure that's why.
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Reality television is the lowest common denominator, the televisual spawn of satan. If I want to look at zero talent nobodies sitting around doing nothing i'll look in a mirror not at my tv. I cant believe someone who champions really great shows like buffy, angel, gilmore etc would spend any time watching this crap.
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Hey, I understand that millions of people love reality shows whether they admit it or not. Personally, I can't stand most of them and I think Big Brother is the worst. I think though, that Herc can admit that the number of people watching a show often has little to do with its quality. Big Brother gets three times the ratings the afore-mentioned Angel gets, but does that mean it is even in they are even in the same league as far as quality? I don't think so. Again, I think Big Brother is boring and pretty much unwatchable and I'm out of high school. Obviously, there are millions of Americans who disagree, but that doesn't change my opinion that Big Brother and most of its reality brethen bites the big one.
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really need to be the first to go. Idiots - both of 'em, near as I can tell. On the other hand, it'd be real funny to see either of them abused throughout the course of the summer - they clearly pose no real threat (I say that now...). Gerry and Chiara (sp?) are both cool. See what happens tonight...
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Take a moment to step off your intellectual high horse and check some of these shows out. I pity the guy who gave up on all reality TV since Real World ep 1. It's like saying you won't eat cheesecake because it's yellow food and urine is yellow. It might make some demented sense in your mind, but man, you're missing out! I love Survivor first, then Big Brother, The Amazing Race, The Mole, and Fear Factor. I also liked Boot Camp and Lost very much. I don't care for most of the other seedier cheap sex based reality shows like temptation island (gotta draw the line somewhere), but all the ones I mentioned before are TOP QUALITY SHOWS. Very entertaining, and much more educational than pet precinct. If you like to dismiss these shows without a glance, you owe it to yourself to tune in at least once with an open mind. I'm very much looking forward to this new season of Big Brother, obviously.
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Has this started already?
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Even for a television critic Herc has low standards.
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I think Big Brother 3 is a great show. They learned their mistakes from the first one. i also really enjoy Survivor and Amazing Race and Whose Line is It Anyway (no scripts!)
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Aug 18, 2002 5:18:44 AM CDT
I doubt anyone's gonna read this weeks after the article was
by lenny nero
There's a difference between the "reality shows" like Real World and the "game shows" like Survivor, Amazing Race, Mole, and yes, Big Brother 3. It is not about human nature interacting as much as they are high concept game shows. What will people do for up to a million dollars? Check out the competitions they have to go through on Survivor. Many go to the limit testing physical and mental skills. These are no easy tasks. And Amazing Race? Man, that shit's nearly impossible, and each round takes them hundreds of miles around, lasting days if necessary. So yes, Real World type of reality is different from Survivor type of reality. That is, if you want to call it reality. It really isn't. If you stop thinking about that word and start thinking about competition, then it's fascinating, and better than most everything on national tv. Big Brother 3 is fascinating because there are so many twists and double-crosses and alliances that you can't help but shake your head at how far these people will go for half a mil. Give it a chance, guys (and gals).
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