What ever happened to good old science fiction and action movies? it would seam all the classic shows have been replaced with reality TV shows which involve for example fat people running around and doing pointless tasks to lose weight(biggest loser), or a bunch of people staying in a house (big brother) the list goes on and on.

The next thing you know people will be competing on shows where if you lose you die for example if you win you get a kidney http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/kidney-donation-reality-tv-show-a-hoax/2007/06/02/1180205552994.html
Although this particular show was a hoax enough people believed in it to spark a debate on weather reality TV has gone too far i for one agree. If a show like this has already started in the Netherlands can you imagine where it could lead too...
Perhaps Steven king wasn't too far of the mark when he wrote "The running man".

Ive got to admit that I see reality tv as "towards the decline of a civilisation".
Like porn... oh dear Lord please get rid of the pornography for the sake of the women...it adds to a thoughtlessness that either hurts self or others, or nullifies personal respect.
Its ludicrous carnival.
Extreme sports to me are also a symptom of the mindless boredom of modern youth.
Did you see Galdiators are back?
I likewise wonderered if, one day, in the great darkness of the Bibles endtimes, if Galdiators wouldnt once more become a real thing like when the christians were getting the blade in the Colusseum?
Decadent world, getting worse each day.

Reality TV is certainly part of the 'dumbing down' trend. While it is easy enough just to turn the TV off or change channel, the topic is an interesting vis a vis the media influence debate - a reflection of society or one of the players?

Much rather read a good book myself or paint but some people appear to like reality TV and while there is a market I guess nothing will change until the public tires of the novelty.

It must be difficult for the good writers and producers who might, as a consequence, no longer enjoy ready access to the media. Reality TV is not only growing but making money if the amount of 'phone-in to vote' type programs are any indication. Why pay a good script writer when you can not only make money from advertising but from the actual show itself!

The ABC and SBS still come up with some good documentaries and drama.

Commercial TV is ultimately about profit and reality TV is cheap to produce. Add to that the income stream created by getting people to send messages to premium SMS numbers, and the attraction of reality TV to the broadcasters is clear.

Where there's a demand - there's a supply. Reality TV -appeals to many people, obviously.

There's so many that watch 'Lost' and the weight-loss programs. Then I must admit - I got hooked on, 'Dancing With The Stars,' because I found it fun. Even the 'Big Race' had me watching for a while. I guess it's like 'arm-chair travel,' you get to experience something different - without leaving the comfort of your home.

Too easy...

Yes, the mindless pap of reality TV is part of the 'dumbing-down' process. Also, it is a cheaper option for the channels than buying quality programs. As already mentioned, these shows make more money by having phone-ins at higher rates. Add to that the endless onslaught of mindless adverts and it's no wonder that I've watched most of my DVDs and read a hell of a lot of books.

One type of 'reality TV' is different though, Michael Palin has made quite a few programs on his travels. That's what I call reality.

Maybe if a new New World Order can dumb us down later on we are easier to manipulate. I wonder who funds reality tv, the soapies, sport so we get hooked and become vegetables.

All things come in waves. Yes, reality TV is cheap, but if you consume too much of something, people yearn for something different.

Reality TV isn't going away, but perhaps its supremacy will someday. Even if television becomes totally dumbed down, there will still be niche programming available for more intelligent people - presumably, there will always be advertisers who are targeting more intelligent individuals, so there's your niche right there.

Besides, as long as they don't axe the ABC or SBS, we should be okay.

Anyway, you're distracting me. I've gotta go get back to watching 'Dancing with the Biggest Survivor.'

The dumb ones are those who complain about TV, when if they were really concerned they could just turn it off. The folk who find it entertaining obviously have more in their lives than them whose sole purpose in life seems to be to criticize the discretionary viewing habit of strangers.

Personally I quite enjoy watching police chase and border protection shows, dislike “dancing” and “idol” shows (so I don’t watch them). I enjoy some costume dramas but have never got into soapies like Summer bay or Ramsay St (so I do not watch them either) actually one of my favourite shows at present is Boston Legal, whilst the court bits are bland, the interplay between the James Spader, William Shatner and the other characters I find very amusing.

As for “dumbing down”, I would certainly prefer to watch TV than sit in a corner and read the bible or similar texts, a perverse practice. Feeling pious and worthy from ingesting the regurgitated machinations of religious propagandists.

Col

Turning off the TV has already been mentioned it still doesn't mean that a person can't complain about the lack of quality TV (in their opinion). This forum is titled Online Opinion.

One can still have an opinion about something even if they don't partake (eg. porn, eating chocolate covered ants or lacrosse) and even if they know where the off switch is.

My concern is also for the younger generations who might think this diet of reality TV is the norm and that there is nothing better. But as TRTL rightly points out we will muddle along regardless until something else comes along.

The choice between reading the bible or watching Big Brother...Mmmmm tough one.

pelican “Turning off the TV has already been mentioned it still doesn't mean that a person can't complain about the lack of quality TV (in their opinion).”

We get what we pay for, hence the term “Free to air”.

“This forum is titled Online Opinion.” Yes and I am expressing mine.

“One can still have an opinion about something even if they don't partake (eg. porn, eating chocolate covered ants or lacrosse) and even if they know where the off switch is.”

Oh yes, I have an opinion about lesbian sex, yet find myself unable to fully participate.

“My concern is also for the younger generations who might think this diet of reality TV is the norm and that there is nothing better.”

I think “concerns” for the “younger generations” is a matter best left with the parents of the “younger generations”

“But as TRTL rightly points out we will muddle along regardless until something else comes along.”

Or we switch it off, he said listening to a rendition of “the bell song” from lakme.

“The choice between reading the bible or watching Big Brother...Mmmmm tough one.”

Both absolutely mind numbing, I would have thought

I was once in a TV reality show in Australia
Although it increased our private investigator business it did draw out all the losers and the critics who had a lot of time on their hands to bikker.

Charles Rahim private investigator in Australia
Polygraph Examiner

Col: “This forum is titled Online Opinion.” Yes and I am expressing mine.

Yes I agree you are and that is fine.

It is clear from the rest of your post you clearly did not get the point I was making but that's okay - probably did not express it as well as I might.

The great thing about Reality TV is that it makes it so much easier to select what to watch. Or if it is worth while to turn the TV on at all. It is rare that there is a clash between two good programmes.

We'd really have something to complain about if all the channels suddenly started showing much even half decent all at the same time!

Which show would you tape? Would you need more than one DVD burner? When would you fit in watching all the taped/burned shows? Would a TV with a split screen be the answer? How do you politely refuse a dinner invitation with friends on ....night, when ....is on. Not to mention finding time to read all the posts on your current hobby horse thread on OLO.

See. Be happy we have such crappy TV.

Any situation that's manipulated and designed isn't reality. I don't hate it, I just don't care for it. IT's ratings, money and entertainment. Those shows are an equation with controlled and limited variables.

...And boring. Reality TV is Cops. Love that.

I do not think I watched TV more than 8 hours in the last year. I DO NOT LIKE TV OR NEWSPAPERS AT ALL. I prefer the internet for many and various reasons. I am online about 35-40 hours per week

'Reality' TV is anything but. As others have said though they are cheap to make, and the revenue phone lines are very lucrative.

I have put a proposal to MSN9 for a group of people to be incarcerated in a house which has ice floors. They have to learn to iceskate-dance whilst singing;-to professional standards. We will be able to watch them 24/7.

No revenue lines. The last one to die of exhaustion has their prize money of $5,000,000 donated to the TV station that promises no reality TV for a period of not less than 5 years.

They haven't replied yet, which surely means that they are giving my idea much thoughtful consideration.

Yeah... I agree... At the same time I have the tendency to become addicted to these rather tacky shows. At least I'm honest! Anyway, what's with a bit of a cheap laugh!