There is a pathetic amount of television currently being produced that is worth watching (this is of course, only my opinion.) It seems like every channel just throws shows at you that don't last. Or barrage you with whatever "they" are tryin' to make successful. Fantastic shows that obtain the most loyal of fanbases are cancelled before they've matured or even allowed to. It's sad to me.

This being the case, I often resort to movie watchin' fairly early in the evening. On a rare day, I will leave the tv goin' while I do somethin' else. Even findin' somethin' decent on for simple background noise can be a chore.

We live in the day of the "reality" show and unless that is the programming you adore, you are piss out of luck. I am one of those up the creek without a remote. Ethan and I often lament that for some reason, reality shows keep survivin'. I could give a fig if "Skanky Easy Skeezer" finds love or who is livin' in what. I find no cultural advancement by such programming. I have, on occassion, paused to watch some race or feat of daring; those I can at least, somewhat respect---Somewhat---But, the majority are dull, mindless, and should be an embarrassment to all involved.

I am however addicted to one. I love Dancing with the Stars. It reminds me of when I was a kid and the "celebrities" put on a circus. Dancing with the Stars has been goin' on for several seasons (sorry about my lack of knowledge, but their website isn't very user friendly or clear on the specifics. I could probably have found it, but I don't really care.) This is the first season I have actually watched it (I've caught a couple of previous episodes while visitin' the elders.) But, this season--I've caught it several times on purpose (Usually Mondays, as that is the day they actually dance and I can get the results the next day on the internet, so why subject myself to two days. That's a bit toooooo much for me.) If you haven't watched Dancing with the Stars, yet...It's cute and family friendly. The entertainers involved really do and try to put on a show, in my opinion--they all succeed. Some better than others, but it is obvious they are tryin'. Really, so much fun to watch.

So, don't feel to bad about those "reality" television guilty pleasures you indulge in, but are hesitant to admit, we all do it. I mean, the reality is---there's not much else to watch these days...

I missssss myyyy gooood tvvvvvv.

If you feel so inclined: respond with your "guilty" reality pleasures, shows sent to slaughter before their times, or new pilots that you've seen (liked) then they just dinosaured. Feel free to also gripe 'till your little heart is content about "reality" shows you would like to guillotin.

Many years ago, they used to show the classic BBC comedies like Black Adder and Allo Allo in the evening. I remember I used to rush home from school just in time to see the latest cynical misadventure of Black Adder and Bladrick.

I think I was the only kid in primary school who knew any role Rowan Atkinson had played other then Mr. Bean... =P

Oh yeah, while I agree with you that reality tv is stupid as hell, I love how overly dramatic they get over anything

I miss FireFly..

I'm not a fan of "reality" TV either. 99.99% of the time, reality shows are so edited from what's actually reality that they may as well have just hired actors and handed them a script. It kind of defeats the point, but I guess it makes for better television when you can give someone a villain edit.

That said, there's one reality show that I seem to keep finding myself coming back to and I'm not quite sure why: Survivor. =p I know it does just as much cutting and pasting as all of the other shows and half of the contestants are hand-picked and invited by the producers (instead of them choosing from the people who actually audition for the show), but it still amuses me for an hour on Thursday nights. I think I mostly just like to watch the contests.

lol!

snark
Many years ago, they used to show the classic BBC comedies like Black Adder and Allo Allo in the evening. I remember I used to rush home from school just in time to see the latest cynical misadventure of Black Adder and Bladrick.

I think I was the only kid in primary school who knew any role Rowan Atkinson had played other then Mr. Bean... =P

Oh yeah, while I agree with you that reality tv is stupid as hell, I love how overly dramatic they get over anything

We are huge Black Adder fans. The entire series is pretty cheap at like (Movie Trading Company---assuming you have a MTC.)

Phantom Penguin
I miss FireFly..

You're not alone.

silentkitty
I'm not a fan of "reality" TV either. 99.99% of the time, reality shows are so edited from what's actually reality that they may as well have just hired actors and handed them a script. It kind of defeats the point, but I guess it makes for better television when you can give someone a villain edit.

That said, there's one reality show that I seem to keep finding myself coming back to and I'm not quite sure why: Survivor. =p I know it does just as much cutting and pasting as all of the other shows and half of the contestants are hand-picked and invited by the producers (instead of them choosing from the people who actually audition for the show), but it still amuses me for an hour on Thursday nights. I think I mostly just like to watch the contests.

lol!

(I totally agree about the editing what they want you to see concept.)

I don't watch TV any more, I just buy comics and go on the internet. It might be more expensive but it's a better way to waste time.

I think that the reason that reality TV is so prevalent now is that they aren't as expensive to make as a regular scripted show. A network can accept lower numbers with a reality show because they don't have to pay as much to make them.

I also think that most networks are stupid to greenlight shows that they know are going to be expensive to produce because they think it will be a gigantic superhit, but don't advertise it then cancel it after three or four episodes because it didn't get huge numbers. Shows don't build followings in three or four episodes.

RentAThug
I think that the reason that reality TV is so prevalent now is that they aren't as expensive to make as a regular scripted show. A network can accept lower numbers with a reality show because they don't have to pay as much to make them.

I also think that most networks are stupid to greenlight shows that they know are going to be expensive to produce because they think it will be a gigantic superhit, but don't advertise it then cancel it after three or four episodes because it didn't get huge numbers. Shows don't build followings in three or four episodes.

Greedy Bastages!

I also dislike reality TV.

But I think we're coming out of a TV slump. We're starting to get more creative stuff now, like LOST, Heroes, 24, My Name is Earl, The Office, Scrubs, and more. Now sure, maybe you only like a few of those shows. But they do cover a lost of bases, and they're the kind of stuff we weren't getting during the Reality Era's climax (except 24, it's been on for a while).

I've gone from never watching TV to at least tuning in for specific programs. But until TV drastically improves, I don't think I'll ever sit down to "just see what's on".

Hawk
I also dislike reality TV.

But I think we're coming out of a TV slump. We're starting to get more creative stuff now, like LOST, Heroes, 24, My Name is Earl, The Office, Scrubs, and more. Now sure, maybe you only like a few of those shows. But they do cover a lost of bases, and they're the kind of stuff we weren't getting during the Reality Era's climax (except 24, it's been on for a while).

I've gone from never watching TV to at least tuning in for specific programs. But until TV drastically improves, I don't think I'll ever sit down to "just see what's on".

(Thursday nights is the only night I watch. I was waitin' for Heroes on DVD, since that is ending, I'll get it soon...This is Scrubs' last season too. I love The Office and Earl, couldn't ever get into Lost or 24, though.)

With the way Television has been going sometimes, I think we may actually have to bring back the age of reading books for pleasure.

"What? huh!? Reading books for Pleasure?! That's crazy talks!"