By far the best reality show out there. It’s a reality show, but everyone is actors except for one person. The show is so good that I would actually watch it over and over. Even though the Apprentice was good, I wouldn’t watch it again.
Joe Schmo was just an interesting look into humankind. The non-actor, Matt Gould, was an excellent choice. A nice guy, but then someone who would also get pissed off and stand up for things.
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i despise the current concept of networks constructing these elaborate situations, with carefully controlled conditions to best optimize ratings, and then calling it “reality.” i also despise the fact that they think i’ll fall for it! how blind is the american viewing public, that they watch this stuff and are entertained by it? it’s so mind-numbing. it’s substance-less.
Pretty soon “reality TV” will be the primary format of network television programming. The networks have practically gone broke dolling out insane amounts of ca$h for stars. With these “reality” shows, the participants get paid hardly anything and production costs are lower. Thank goodness for HBO and “Six Feet Under”
Well, how many mind-numbing, substance-less sitcoms can you watch? That’s what these reality shows replaced. They didn’t replace Nova or Dateline. Some reality shows are far worse that others. What I can’t stand about some of these reality shows is how they stretch out climax of each episode whether it’s that stupid reveal on The Swan or who’s getting cut on Who Wants to Marry My Father. That’s terribly annoying and insulting. (I hated that Swan show by the way. Terrible in every aspect.) But there are a few reality shows that are interesting. Joe Schmo was one. It just seemed more down to earth that the other reality shows, but still having some of the crazy elements that goes with reality tv. In the last few years, I’ve found people memorizing scripts and pretending to be other people a little uncomfortable. The whole world of acting is weird. I’m not sure what to make of it. It’s amazing that our world is so enthralled with acting. Me… I prefer a nice cooking show or Junkyard Wars, or This Old House. Real people doing cool things.
But that’s just it. It’s not reality TV. The interest of this joe schmo shows lies in the fact that it exists in a small gray area. It’s a fascinating construct that they employ–imitating the characteristic style of reality shows. This show speaks to the efforts of the networks/producers extend themselves to try to morph real people into pesonas–only Joe Schmo actually shows the producers reactions and strategies for how they create these personas for the actors… just as reality shows morph real people into personas based on careful editing. While yes, one may argue that it is bad how real reality show producers morph real people into flat personas… the bitch, the jerk, the friend, etc. This Joe Schmo parodies this phenomenon and uncovers it. Where would we be in this world without parody and different forms of commentary on our social phenonmenon? As far as your argument for the networks doll out insane amounts of cash for stars… So you don’t like that the networks are saving money by paying the participants less and having lower production costs… uh. so you want networks to pay high-priced actors and have high production costs?
I’m afraid I didn’t get my point across. I am not in favor of sitcoms [nor do I watch them”>, sitcom stars being paid exhorborant amounts of money, insane production costs or reality TV [I agree with Unlikelymoose, “The Swan” was wrong in every aspect”>. The only people that should be paid the kind of money like the kind the “Friends” crew got are teachers and firemen. My point was that the networks are broke from paying out all that money while viewership continued to plummet. To keep themeselves afloat, networks rely on and continue to rely on more and more shows centered around everyday people, people without a star of the Hollyweird Walk of Fame … people that cannot command a high salary. Andy Warhol was right, “Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes” … Reality Shows are the pinnacle of that comment. Everyone [i”>will[/i”> be famous for 15 minutes just as long as “reality” TV keeps chugging along. My problem with reality TV is that it cannot be “real” because of the very nature of the medium. There are producers and boom operators, and cue card guys, and lighting people, and caterers, and script writers, and directors, and best boys, and … a bevy of people surrounding what you see on TV. How can the show be “real” when it is nothing more than a TV production?
Do you think that the sacrifices an entertainer makes are equal to the sacrifices say a teacher makes?…I can understand maybe a fireman…considering he risks his life…but what about sports stars…they get paid outrageous amounts of money..even this I can kinda of understand simply because their bodies are sacrificed…for our entertainment…
Sports players don’t make a lot of money because of their sacrifice. They make a lot of money, because they are merely getting their share of the pie. Sports teams make a ton of money. Players are merely getting their portion of money made by their sport being televised, advertised, licensed, distributed, etc.
It’s not that I believe that teachers take risks [not inherently … some take risks by just going to school everyday, depending on where they teach”> but being a teacher is perhaps the single most important profession because of what they do and how it affects whole generations. Firemen might have the second single most important profession, but I’m sure someone would debate that. I believe sports players are overpaid, in general. They may only be getting a share of the proverbial “pie”, but the pie doesn’t have to be that big in the first place … does it?
reality TV is an interesting concept. so is communism.
i will admit to watching ONE “reality” show – Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. but that’s educational. you can learn things from that show! things like how to decorate your place, and cook neat food.