Tuesday, September 23, 2003
A Brilliant New Low for Reality Television
Ah, Spike TV, "the first network for men" (funny considering we've had MenTV, the PlayBoy Channel, etc, etc, long before Spike ever was) launched a new reality television recently, which in my opinion hits new lows, but is at the same time, just brilliant.
It's called Joe Schmo. It's part "The Truman Show", part "Big Brother", and lots of other elements which parody just about every major reality show out there. Oh, and there's a whole lot of fakery too. See, unlike other reality based competions, this one has a "star". Matt Gould is an average joe six-pack. Everyone else is an actor each playing a reality show stereotype. You've got the bitch, the priss, the asshole, the gay guy, the old veteran, etc. It's all so satirical it makes you wonder how, or why Matt doesn't clue in. I guess I wouldn't either if I saw things from his persepctive.
I watched Survivor season 1, Big Brother only for about half the first season, and then I basically got sick of the formula. But Joe Shmo provides a unique angle on the cliched formula. I watch it as much to see how they are torturing this poor shlub, as I am to see how the actors and show's producers can keep up the charade and not slip up. (But, already, things are not playing out as scripted).
Check it out Tuesday nights on Spike TV. (Don't rely on tv listing though. I found the show by accident last night, as something called "Slam Ball" was supposed to be airing instead.)
Spike TV's own Joe Shmo website:
http://www.spiketv.com/shows/joe_schmo/
Good articles on the show and what's it's been like so far:
http://community.realitytvworld.com/boards/DCForumID55/2.shtml#1
http://www.smudailycampus.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/09/09/3f5d45c000981
*If anyone can find info on how Matt (the guy being tricked in this show) has reacted, please submit some URLs in the comments section.
It's called Joe Schmo. It's part "The Truman Show", part "Big Brother", and lots of other elements which parody just about every major reality show out there. Oh, and there's a whole lot of fakery too. See, unlike other reality based competions, this one has a "star". Matt Gould is an average joe six-pack. Everyone else is an actor each playing a reality show stereotype. You've got the bitch, the priss, the asshole, the gay guy, the old veteran, etc. It's all so satirical it makes you wonder how, or why Matt doesn't clue in. I guess I wouldn't either if I saw things from his persepctive.
I watched Survivor season 1, Big Brother only for about half the first season, and then I basically got sick of the formula. But Joe Shmo provides a unique angle on the cliched formula. I watch it as much to see how they are torturing this poor shlub, as I am to see how the actors and show's producers can keep up the charade and not slip up. (But, already, things are not playing out as scripted).
Check it out Tuesday nights on Spike TV. (Don't rely on tv listing though. I found the show by accident last night, as something called "Slam Ball" was supposed to be airing instead.)
Spike TV's own Joe Shmo website:
http://www.spiketv.com/shows/joe_schmo/
Good articles on the show and what's it's been like so far:
http://community.realitytvworld.com/boards/DCForumID55/2.shtml#1
http://www.smudailycampus.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/09/09/3f5d45c000981
*If anyone can find info on how Matt (the guy being tricked in this show) has reacted, please submit some URLs in the comments section.
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