random reality TV question
November 28, 2007
The reality TV craze in its current incarnation has been going for quite a while now. It must be getting to the point where just about everybody knows someone who’s been on a reality TV or makeover show, right? Hundreds of shows over the years, thousands of participants…
I know two. Granted, they were guys I went to college with and haven’t talked to since. But it was pretty cool seeing them on their respective shows. (The one on “Who Wants to be a Superhero?” I knew about ahead of time and made a point of watching. The one on “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” I didn’t and got to yell at the TV, “I know that guy!” That was fun.)
So here’s my question: How many of you know someone who’s been on a reality TV show? (Let’s go ahead and include makeover shows and game shows like “Deal or No Deal.”) Details aren’t necessary unless you feel like sharing. I’m just curious about how pervasive this really is.
November 28, 2007 at 11:28 am
Though this isn’t quite a “reality show”, my brother-in-law was on “Dateline”. He had been part of a jury for a rather well publicized murder trial. He didn’t get to say much, but it was pretty cool seeing him on television.
November 28, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Well, most of the time you hope you don’t see someone you know on “Dateline.” Especially if that Chris Hansen walks in…
November 28, 2007 at 3:16 pm
My aunt was on “The Price is Right” back in the 1970s.
I predict that the biggest reality show has yet to be made. It will appear roughly a decade from now. Entitled “People Who Have Never Been on Reality TV,” the show will feature camera crews scampering after the handful of remaining humans with sufficient decency to have avoided participating in this tacky trend.
They’ll never take me alive.
__
Jamie
November 28, 2007 at 4:34 pm
I don’t *think* I know someone who has been on reality TV, but my wife’s high school social studies teacher was on this past week’s Extreme Home Makeover (the 100th family special with 9 or so kids).
Now I kind of wonder if there is anybody I actually know who has been on one.
November 28, 2007 at 5:26 pm
One of my old managers was in “Australian Idol” for all of 30 seconds before she got kicked off and another work mate tried out for “So You Think You Can Dance” but I don’t think it’s aired yet.
November 29, 2007 at 12:39 am
You couldn’t pay me to watch reality shows (well…you could but I’d just take the money and do something else) so I have no idea if anyone I’ve ever known has shown up on one. I’d guess that the folks I currently hang with would mention it if they landed such a gig, but won’t swear to it.
Okay…I’m tempted to check out the “American Gladiators” relaunch….
November 29, 2007 at 9:13 am
Someone I went to college w/was on some show several years ago that was about the “real life” of medical students (I think interns). & my cousin was just on the Finnish version of “Deal or No Deal.”
November 29, 2007 at 10:13 am
It’s that 15 minutes of fame thing. We seem to be getting closer and closer to it.
And the American Gladiators relaunch? Oh. My. God.
I consider reality TV to be fodder.
November 29, 2007 at 1:28 pm
My mother’s friend was on that QVC thing when they were looking for a new presenter… It’s the only time I’ve ever watched reality TV. Normally it just makes my skin crawl.
November 29, 2007 at 7:47 pm
There is one thing that is more mind numbing then even the worst reality TV series, worse even then NCAA basketball in March. NASCAR.
November 29, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Extreme Home Makeover was in my home town once, and I know two people that were on the MTV show MADE. Dude that show is SO fake its not even funny. They filmed at my school for half a year, and the people they interviewed about my friend Katie were people who don’t even know her. AND they created situations allot.
The best part though was them filming in the hallways. I think I walked into a camera man like 4 different time (cus I’m clumsy like that…). I even tripped over a CAMERA the one time cus they guy had placed it on the floor to film people walking down the hall. I should really watch where I’m walking more often I think…
November 30, 2007 at 7:19 pm
I don’t think I know anyone personally, but how could I know? There are a lot of people I know that I don’t get to talk to on a regular basis and a lot of obscure tv shows. But there was this one fellow on Project Runway from my hometown, Atlanta. Though we didn’t know him, we still cheered him on.
December 4, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Even worse than a reality show – a guy with whom I went to high school (many years ago!) has been on the news numerous times. He was an unpopular jackass back in high school, and nothing seems to have changed in that department. Since he’s a total publicity hound, I’ll exact my petty revenge by not mentioning who he is, and why he periodically makes it into the evening news.
December 11, 2007 at 2:38 pm
I actually don’t think I know anyone, unless you count game shows or Judge Judy style shows. In which case I know two.