Not much time has passed since the last time we addressed the current state of reality television, but the new shows — and old — have taken a nose-dive for the worst.
Most recently, Fox has continued its noble exploitative efforts with its newest hit, “My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé.” In this compelling documentary into the human soul, cameras follow a hapless woman as she attempts to convince her friends/family/dog that a “big, fat, obnoxious” guy is really the love of her life.
The kicker is that even in her attempts to fool everybody, she herself is also being fooled; her husband-to-be is an actor, unbeknownst to her.
What results is a woman who constantly fears her fiancé’s behavior will embarrass her, a guy who prances around acting like a jackass (the wine-in-the-hot-tub scene is especially classic) and family members who agonize over the fact that their daughter is about to marry Bluto from “Animal House.”
But Fox isn’t giving up now. A quick browse through the network’s show listing on its Web site reveals the upcoming drivel we can expect in the future, including “Divorce Stories.” The advertisement states: “”Divorce Stories, a new network reality show is casting for divorced men, over 21 years of age who have been divorced in the last 5 years. You could win money!”
Oh boy! Money! It’s a good thing this country has such a high divorce rate, or Fox wouldn’t get its paycheck. What was that about marriage being a sacred institution, again?Divorce Stories, a new network realContinuing the rapid slide into absurdity is yet another season of “American Idol,” and this year Simon swears it’s the worst group yet. Given that the only idols the show has produced should be punctured with nails for voodoo purposes so they’ll shut up already, we’d tend to agree.
And who can forget the MTV classic, “Nick and Jessica,” which is quickly teaching Americans that being filthy rich, having no musical talent whatsoever and never learning how to tie your own shoes can make for great TV!
To supplement the stupidity of the show, MTV challenges readers of its Web site to take the “Tuna or Chicken Challenge” (“Is it tuna? Is it chicken? Jessica couldn’t tell the difference, can you?”). Aside from the “burps, farts and food-related foul-ups” last season provided, MTV promises this season will include a compelling look at “the parties, the performing, the love, and of course, the ‘Jessica Moments’ as Nick and wifey make their celebrity marriage work….”
It’s a good thing they take their marriage seriously enough to get it on film. God forbid they use it for monetary gain and prove to us all that it’s all a sham. After all, that might give all the decent, hardworking heterosexual married couples the wrong idea!
Reality television on the boob tube isn’t showing any signs of improvement, but we have yet to see the trend subside. For the good of society, we hope that happens soon.