Monday, May 31, 2010

To VH1 Executives by way of the Washington Post:



This show looks like a load of crap, straight from the gate. There was a saying, which stated, “Do not allow the court system to introduce you to the relationship with your child.” I think that needs to extend to reality television. These men, who to me are social eunuchs, are being rewarded with valuable airtime to do what? I’m missing the boat here and I really want to be on board. I am a father, in the middle of a separation. I had to fight for 50/50 joint custody of my child because I realize the significance of my presence in my son’s life. Admittedly I may be overly educated to watch this show. That said, as a cultural critic, particularly that of media, VH1 and Viacom for that matter, have to me, hit a new low. Programming like this represents negligence and to me borders being socially irresponsible. Who’s fooling whom here? Are these “contestants,” going to truly walk away being model dads after the stimulus of this pseudo baby boot camp? Better yet, will VH1 find their newest reality break out star and build a franchise around them? At the risk of being cliché’ lets get real for a moment. We all remember how VH1 bought The Surreal Life from the WB. From the Surreal Life, came Strange Love, which followed the kooky relationship between Flavor Flav and Bridget Neilson. From there, Flavor Flav got his own show Flavor of Love, which spun off into I Love New York to Charm School to I Love Money. Talk about mileage. As an audience, we are expected to fall for this repackaging of all these other reality shows and a few others I failed to mention. No, what we are being asked to watch, for our consideration as an informed audience mind you is, “Jackass-with a conscious.” Enough already, please. If you really want to create a reality TV show that makes a difference, create a show that works to reduce the unemployment rate. How about this, why not put together a reality show that follows those who need health care but can’t get it? At least that type of reality programming offers the audience some type of constructive water cooler talk.
Just my opinion.

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