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The Cody Blog: Kelly Osbourne's Drug Probs Prove Reality TV Ain't

Monday, April 04, 2005

Kelly Osbourne's Drug Probs Prove Reality TV Ain't

I rarely give into sickness, but this weekend I collapsed into an achey, head pounding, sore throat flu. So last night, I was flipping through the channels (I can't get used to the "guide" part on digital cable and Tivo -- why use something so functional and miss out on mindlessly flipping the channels?). Anyway, I ended up on MTV watching Viva La Bam with this Bam Margera.

As they filmed the family in their house and what not, trying to portray the show as if it really reflects how these people live, I got to thinking about reality TV a concept. Sure it's all right and can be quite entertaining. But reality TV isn't really reality, so to speak.

For example, how the hell did Kelly Osbourned end up having a drug problem without us viewers seeing her use drugs? I think I'm pissed off now that I think about what a farce the whole show must have been. We didn't see these people's real lives. We saw some facade of the reality that they wanted us to see.

Do I really want a return of the sitcoms and/or high dramas? No, those suck too.

In fact, now that I think about it, I'm sick of pretty much all shows outside of stand up comedians. You know why? Cuz outside of great flicks like Quentin Tarrantino's Pulp Fiction, dialogue usually just sucks. And jokes aren't funny. And the lines are so stupid.

Ever notice how many lines in a show/movie are wasted on:

"I really think it's a problem"
"You really think it's a problem?"
"Yes, I really think it's a problem."
"Well, what should we do about this problem."

Since I was a teen, I've often said that mainstream Hollywood movies usually insult my intelligence. I stand by that statement, and now apply it to reality TV too.

Insulting.

posted by Cody Willard at 4/04/2005 01:26:00 PM

5 Comments:

Blogger Ritholtz said...

That's a shocker . . . Who would have ever imagined that Ozzy Osbourne's daughter would do drugs?

4/04/2005 02:29:00 PM  
Blogger BelowTheCrowd said...

Hmmmm, does anybody really believe that The Apprentice has anything to do with one's business prowess??? I've been in business 20 years, and can categorically state that it doesn't.

I'm also experienced at wilderness survival and can tell you that "Survivor" has nothing to do with that either. For better or worse, in a real survival situation you don't get to vote people off the Island, you have to pull together and survive together. And the best way to survive is to get rescued fast, not eat bugs. My one "personal item" on the island would be a Personal Locator Beacon.

Let's face it, these shows are nothing but a new version of the wacky game shows we had when I was a kid. They're mostly an opportunity for people to compete in performing meaningless yet fun to watch tasks, and to receive a prize at the end.

- BTC

4/04/2005 02:42:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hope you are feeling better.

Try smarter shows with better demographics -

West Wing - reruns are on Bravo. Any episode without Rob Lowe tends to be pretty good. West Wing has the highest income viewers on TV.

Law and Order (the original) reruns on TNT. Any episode with Jerry Orbach tends to be okay.

For a psuedo -reality show, check out "Draw Together" on the Comedy Channel. Eight cartoon characters living in one house. Warning :Makes South Park seem tame...

For closer to reality, check out "Storm Stories" on the Weather Channel - documnetaries about severe weather events.

If all else fails, look at The History Channel - they have documentaries on the building of Hoover Dam, Mount Rushmore, etc.


Best regards, Bill

4/04/2005 03:55:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A girl in our wedding was one of the contestants on the first MTV "Road Rules". She said that they cut audio and pasted it to other scenes to craft a storyline that MTV wanted. She was "hooking" up with one of the guys on the show (therefore, cheating on a good friend of mine) but it was really quite innocent in real life. Reality TV is far from real. True dat.

As far as compelling TV, you can find any of Jean Claude Van Damme's masterpieces if you look hard enough. In addition, you are cheating yourself if you aren't tuning in to Chuck Norris in "Missing in Action".

4/05/2005 01:34:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A girl in our wedding was one of the contestants on the first MTV "Road Rules". She said that they cut audio and pasted it to other scenes to craft a storyline that MTV wanted. She was "hooking" up with one of the guys on the show (therefore, cheating on a good friend of mine) but it was really quite innocent in real life. Reality TV is far from real. True dat.

As far as compelling TV, you can find any of Jean Claude Van Damme's masterpieces if you look hard enough. In addition, you are cheating yourself if you aren't tuning in to Chuck Norris in "Missing in Action".

4/05/2005 01:34:00 PM  

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