I’m not a fan of most “reality” TV shows and Survivor is at the top of my list of can’t-stand shows of that sort. Mainly because it’s obvious that the producers have intentionally picked people that will generate the most conflict to appear on the show. I understand that’s kind of the point, but that doesn’t seem all that ‘real’ to me which is what I expect a reality show to be. Still, I’ve often wondered if the contestants understood that some of them would be picked strictly on their ability to be total assholes. Seems many of the hopefuls are more than aware of this fact:
“There’s nothing I won’t do to win $1 million. You want me to slap my mom on television, I’ll do it,” said Mark Weisbarth Jr., a 26-year-old aspiring rapper from San Mateo, who rapped during his audition. “This is a chance of a lifetime.”
...
Calloway, who brought along her 8-year-old son, said if chosen, she’d rely on the mediation skills she picked up while living with three brothers along with her outdoor experience to help get ahead. But if push came to shove, she’d find other ways to win.“I wouldn’t have sex with anyone, but nudity, oh yeah, I’d do that, no problem,” she said. “It might scare the viewers but it wouldn’t bother me.”
...
“Being raised in an Italian family, there’s a lot of yelling, screaming and manipulating, and that’s truly made me mentally tough,” said Castro, who admits there’s a good chance he’s going through a little midlife crisis. “And I’ll eat earthworms, squirrels, roadkill. Being from an Italian family, I’ve eaten cow brains and pigs feet, and that’s gross.”When it came to winning on “Survivor,” guys said they were willing to sell out their girlfriends. Brothers said they would stab each other in the back if necessary. No lie would be too big if that was the price of victory. It was all very life-affirming.
“I can be evil, but only if I need to be. But for a million dollars, I’m on it,” said Jennifer Hansen, 25, of Santa Rosa.
Michael Gacsaly, 46, of Walnut Creek said it was all part of the game, something even his 12-year-old daughter can understand.
“One time we were watching the show, and she said if I got on the show, I could tell people that she died” to gain sympathy, said Gacsaly, beaming at her daughter Riel. “I’m proud she comes up with her own ideas. She’s a good game player, too.”
I’m wondering when the network execs will stop bothering to come up with some pretense for their reality shows and just start naming them for what they are. Can you imagine?
NEXT UP ON ABC: BACKSTABBING LYING ASSHOLES BICKER AND FIGHT OVER THE COURSE OF AN HOUR FOR YOUR AMUSEMENT!
I think that’s a little bit too much truth in advertising for the networks to handle.
But that’s how I’ve thought of them since the second series (the first time I tuned in for more than ten seconds).