The rich get richer. This trend flourishes within our economy today, as is the nature of capitalism, but television series have allowed an exacerbation of the problem with their constant influx of new reality shows based on the exploits of snobbish WASPs, yuppie celebrities and high school (in either physical or mental age) jocks.
One of the best enforcers of this policy can be found on MTV: “The Real World/Road Rules Challenge,” or one of its many instances. Basically, the network can’t find anything new to do, so they watch “Wild ‘n Crazy Kids” or “Double Dare” and pick up some ideas for idiotic games, make them a little more dangerous and rehire past players from “The Real World” and “Road Rules” to try to win even more money. As in $250,000 more.
At this point, these people are around D-list celebrities. They probably have decent jobs (unless they’re always as drunk as they are on the shows), thousands of giddy groupies and a new bullet on their resume. They don’t need anything else.
Granted, MTV tried to bring in a few new people with the very flatteringly titled “The Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Fresh Meat,” but there were still 12 old morons trying to hook up with anything that moved.
These guys should be giving their money to charity, or simply trying to help the newcomers, who all seem quite conceited, win the money and take none for themselves. Instead, these deadbeats get to keep playing tetherball until they’re millionaires.
Next are these shows based on the lives of celebrities, also known as VH1’s entire non-list oriented lineup. Granted, many of these famous people washed up years ago, but that doesn’t mean they should be brought back. VH1 has become a notorious necromancer, bringing back the dead careers of horrible actors, musicians and models for several years running.
Most of these people need to stay gone. There is no reason to give them money just because people used to know who they were. It won’t be long until Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson are cast on “The Surreal Life” to argue for hours about whether catfish contains cat. Donate that money for that show to a charity or just throw it out a window at VH1 headquarters. Either way more good is being done.
The only good thing to come out of “The Surreal Life” is “Flavor of Love,” which is both funny and an attempt to give the occasional hard-up woman a chance at a (slightly) better life, though old Flavor Flav can sometimes (usually) come across as a sexist. He has made it clear that he doesn’t want any gold diggers on his show, though.
Another show that glorifies the already rich can also be found on MTV’s richly cultural and diverse line-up. “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County” shows how wonderfully stuck-up all the residents of said county apparently are. It’s a thrill to watch the monotonous, tension-filled lives of kids whose parents most likely own either an island or a government. What will Kyndra wear today? Surely it won’t be anything she’s worn before! Oh, no, Cameron’s father got a raise and now his family is in a higher tax bracket! Horror!
Why is it so despicable to film something about normal or even low-income families? The only time a family that actually needs help is shown on television is either when their home is destroyed, their kid kills someone or TLC decides to show the wrong way to parent. Why not have “Debris Beach: The Real Harrison County” and show what students at high schools in Katrina-damaged Mississippi towns deal with every day? Instead of highlighting a town that has everything, highlight one that has nothing left.