Future of TV and how it reflects our society
 

I originally posted this in the Movies/TV forum, but I'd like to hear what you guys think of this. I think as time passes, and TV tries to continue to push boundaries to sell advertising time, "reality" shows will get to the point where contestants can die. So, read and discuss.......

I think it's only a matter of time before we have these reality/game shows where contestants can actually die or even kill each other.

Back before 9/11, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and some other folk were in the planning stages of a show called The Runner, the premise of which is directly stolen from Stephen King's The Running Man.

In both the book and the show, a contestant is let loose to wander the country, completing challenges and evading a manhunt. Viewers would get updates on the contestant's whereabouts, a la America's Most Wanted, I suppose. Viewers can also get cash "rewards" for sending tips that lead to the contestant's capture. If the contestant evades capture for 30 days, they win $1 million.

The only difference between the book and the show is that, in the book, if you get caught, you are killed. The irony is that King used this show to illustrate how horrible society had become, but it is such a compelling story (for the most part) that it would make for what network execs would call " great television." So, I say you can look for this show to resurface, and maybe, if things get bad enough, the contestants will get to bite the big one.

However it pans out, I think we'll be seeing more shows like this in the coming years. The collective bloodlust of the public should get much worse as time goes by.

Someone told me on that the Ted Nyugent show people got hurt. I can't beleive people missed the premise of how horrible a "Manhunt" type show would be. How much do you have to beat the people over the head with a point...

I know that you didn't make this thread specific to that, but it's just i hate it when people don't understand things when you exemplify how horrible they will be. Every thing has to be direct with them, otherwise there universe crumbles and it pisses me off.

Also I just thing reality tv shows are fad that will eventually go away, hopefully.

I disagree. I think they're here to stay. The numbers may thin out, and you'll probably see the ones that "survive" (haha >: ) become regular shows with big followings.

I've seen the Nuge's show once, and while they weren't hunted, they did suffer injuries, hypothermia, and so forth. It's just the latest in a long line, and you can bet your ass that the chance of serious harm appeals to any devoted Nugent fan. So this makes me think we're not all that far away from "Find the Antidote" or "Can You Free Yourself From the Conveyor Belt Before You Reach the Sawblade?"

Baudrillard wrote an entire book about this, Simulacra and Simulation. I haven't read this book yet, but I plan to.

Hey, as long as the participants are volunteers, I'm for any kind of brutality on TV. Especially if it's fatal; let's raise the national intelligence level by offering all takers a million dollars fifteen minutes of fame followed by painful death.

I remember hearing about "reality show's" that where coming out of Japan and I thought this is going to be cool... :/ I don't think they are here to stay because reality shows have already crossed over into something else with contestants being picked because they have big boobs or they will be picked "most sexy"... this isn't reality.

fox's show "the swan" pisses me off bad. remember back in the days when if you were ulgy, you just fucking delt with it? now you have a show where they make ulgy girls hot, and the judge how much hotter they are then what they were. i hope all thoes chicks implants leak...
>:

I remember hearing about those reality shows in Japan and thinking 'thats sick'. And what a shockingly pragmatic view you hold Perndog.

I hate the Swan. the whole premise disgusts me. To think that making yourself pretty is somehow going to fix all the problems in your life. What kind of message is that for kids?

Only models can be happy? Any parent who lets their kids watch should have them taken away.


I think reality shows are here to stay. Well, until something cheaper to produce comes along.

Think about it, you don't have to pay actors or writers. You just need a production crew and a set. And how much money do producers put into the sets?

As for the whole "reality until you die", I kind of agree with Pern.

But, I don't think it will happen. Not that I'd be shocked if it did.

And I must admit that MXC is my own little guilty pleasure.

I bet all those women are still ugly on the inside. :(

the swan is horrid, but to be fair they just don't judge those ladies on physical beauty, but on inner personal growth as well. they do counsel the ladies, although it is presented in a way that seems miniscule compared to the outer reformation.

oh and if you think about it, there's a risk of death right there. i mean, they are undergoing massive amounts of surgery.

as far as reality tv goes, i'm addicted to american idol and i don't care what any of you think. >:

What's so interesting about these shows? The voyeuristic aspect of the whole deal wears of extremely quick.

I don't know why they didnt' vote off the Hawaiian chick. >:

She sucks. >:

fuck you

There's been eight seasons of Survivor (The US Version).

Hey, maybe the State could run the show for some extra cash.

It'd be an alternative to the death penalty.

Hey The State was a great show, mr. big penis >:

I was thinking more

i dont know if todays society can deal with that kind of violence. i cant even kill a bug without feeling guilty. :/