Annoyed with TV

Tue, 1 May 2007, 09:27 am

Labrug47 posts in thread

Just wanted to moan about something. TV Scheduling. I am sick of it being abused by the Free-to-air stations. Shows getting knocked about, certain shows going into triple overtime, pushing back the shows you really want to watch.

I have a big problem with Big Brother. Why dedicate so much time to a concept which should have died before the first ep aired in Australia. I thought we (as Aussies) were a bit smarter than that.

As you might tell, I am no fan of BB, and even less of a fan of the regular late running shows, last minute timetable changes and regular rescheduling that seems to be the standard mode of operation for TV Today.

Last night, my wife and I had to wait nearly 1/2 an hour for a show just because another show had preferential treatment and was allowed to go well overtime. It is simply not good enough.

I thank you for you time in reading this small rant. For more ;-) use the Yahoo 360 link to my personal blog.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
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Thread (47 posts)

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LabrugTue, 1 May 2007, 09:27 am

I have a big problem with Big Brother. Why dedicate so much time to a concept which should have died before the first ep aired in Australia. I thought we (as Aussies) were a bit smarter than that.

Last night, my wife and I had to wait nearly 1/2 an hour for a show just because another show had preferential treatment and was allowed to go well overtime. It is simply not good enough.

I thank you for you time in reading this small rant. For more ;-) use the Yahoo 360 link to my personal blog.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
Yahoo 360 Page

NaTue, 1 May 2007, 09:36 am

It's all so obvious that

It's all so obvious that there is a conspiracy between DVD sales and TV programming. Who won when The West Wing was killed on 9? DVD salespeople. Who won when Futurama got taken off the air? DVD salespeople - and now the TV cast/crew, because DVD sales brought it back. Seriously, stop buying DVDs and maybe they would program it better. What most people don't realise is that the people who own and run our Aussie networks are pretty much Americans. The same people and own and run the American networks, and the same people that own the copyrights, and make millions in merchandising. And how about we convince someone in Australia to produce more than their yearly quota of Aussie content - which is completely biased towards international content. And let's convince the Federal Minister for Media that she's wrong about the new laws, which actually see smaller media outlets being gobbled up by larger ones, and allow large international companies to overtake our radio, TV and print media in one fell swoop... Don't get me started (why is there no angry smiley when you need it?) The Prompt Copy Store www.store.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne Treading the Boards www.treadingtheboards.thepromptcopy.com

LogosTue, 1 May 2007, 10:44 am

Yeah

I don't watch reality crap. Trash TV all of it. Although I did quite enjoy the US programme "So you think you can dance" because they could (dance that is) unlike the poor pathetic idol creatures most of whom can't sing. I too am sick of programmes like Biggest Loser (the people who watch it) and BB pushing other shows I want to watch back. I no longer watch channel 10 except for House which I tape giving at least 30 minutes time overrun. I am also sick of old episodes of shows I watch being randomly inserted into runs because of ... you know I don't actually understand why. There is no real watchdog anymore the industry is self regulating (read: do what they like) back in the old days of the broadcasting control board they could have been fined or penalised in other ways for many of these things. Oh God I'm becoming a grumpy old man. Local content is a joke. They use BB and Biggest Loser and Dancing with the Stars and Australia's got Talent to fulfill local content requirements and these shows cost them nothing because all the people who ring up to vote pay for them. They make a huge profit from the credulous idiots who run up mobile phone bills and it really costs them nothing. No need to hire actors, writers, or any creative staff at all just a talking head and a couple of camera men. Drama comes from the US and the UK because these countries have large populations and invest in real progarmming and even they have the reality crap. I give up. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

NaTue, 1 May 2007, 11:07 am

There was an interesting

There was an interesting review of a show on the ABC coming up (I forget which) in the Age's green guide. It's a show from the BBC and they wondered why the UK is not only producing the show - pretty middle rate stuff apparently - but why we are watching it here. The reviewer missed the obvious - ok, the UK produces some trash, some middle-ground stuff, and some great stuff. But the point is: they produce it! And I'd rather have a lot of Aussie drama with some fair-to-middling shows and some trash and some good stuff, than all American, BBC, or even New Zealand (hey, what's with the NZ cop patrol, etc.?). The problem has become that programmers are now looking for the quick fix/quick ratings buzz (assuming that because younger audiences are in such a mad, fast-paced media world, they have a smaller attention span), instead of actually allowing things to grow. Plant a seed. Wait ten years. You'll have a huge tree. Plant a seed. Wait five minutes. Change the position of the seed. Wait five minutes. Change the position of the seed. Wait five minutes. Give up. You'll have a ruined garden. (I usually avoid reality TV as much as possible, but I too got into So you think you can dance. But they had a panel that offered CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, with dancers who were actually interested in their artform - rather than in being famous. Compare it to any other show and it's just about getting your face on TV. Eg. Australia's got talent. That show won't last) You know, I'm actually a big fan of a great Aussie/US TV show. It was called Farscape. It was original in the entire world of TV. It had good actors and writers and production values. It was also uniquely Australian in its humour. Now all we have is country women having affairs with desperate housewives and people getting lost in pounds of flab because nobody has the guts to go first and produce something really out there... (Ok, I'm stopping now... Today's obviously my day to rant! :P) Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

LogosTue, 1 May 2007, 12:15 pm

Farscape came out while I

Farscape came out while I was living in the UK and like all SF shows of any kind in the UK was labelled teenage and shown on Sundays at 5.00pm. I was working most of the time. I liked what I saw however and now you've jogged my memory I might see if I can rent the DVD's. I was interested to observe that the ABC's new Robin Hood made by the BBC which has been on now for about 3 weeks or so wasn't that far behind Australia's got talent and BB in the ratings despite being a bit ordinary and obviously intended for young teenagers. There is obviously a market for drama. The funny thing is that Home and away and neighbours seem to be getting a bit desperate given the ads I've seen lately for the plots. It's nice to see Rowena Wallace working again though. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

NaTue, 1 May 2007, 01:53 pm

DVD's are hard to find. I

DVD's are hard to find. I bought the set from Ezydvd - they were doing a half-price special on them, and got them really cheap. I haven't found any places that would rent them, but I'm sure you could do the whole 'download from the net' thing somewhere. Drama is especially wanted in Australia; we need more of it, not less. (Programmers and big media people all say "there's no appetite" for Aussie stuff at the moment, but that's wrong. It's just we don't have much of a stomach for the Aussie CRAP stuff, which they seem to be churning out lately) Hard to believe that Muriel's Wedding etc is so big, yet there's still no impetus to find the next uniquely Aussie thing. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

LogosTue, 1 May 2007, 01:59 pm

I'm a writer

... I don't do the download from the net thing unless I can't get it at all any legal way. Rent, buy new, e-bay etc. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

NaTue, 1 May 2007, 02:51 pm

Neither. The only way I've

Neither. The only way I've been able to get a hold of Farscape has been to buy it. Wouldn't trust Ebay with a ten foot pole (actually they probably sell those too!) Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

Walter PlingeTue, 1 May 2007, 03:27 pm

secret life

I found the best tv show ever aired in my opinion was the aussie drama the secret life of us, I absolutely love that show. Ive bought all the series's and whenever I want to relax i ALWAYS turn to that show, i watch it instead of normal tv which has turned to crap. It was so realistic and the actors were all up with the best in the field minus maybe abi tucker (miranda) and the girl who played Sam (Will's girlfriend, died series one). That was quality television. Real life drama not corny over the top soppy shit with "Hallelujah" constantly played in the background. I wanna watch tv I can believe and not just reality tv which is merely created to fill a time slot with as little finance as possible. Well there you go. Ive joined the ranting brigade and proud of it. If I could choose any tv show to be cast in it would definately be secret life, that i could definately be proud of. Julia Stafford actress for stage and screen

LabrugTue, 1 May 2007, 03:48 pm

Good choice

Aussie show and better quality than the Carp on these days.

BTW, what ever happened to another Aussie (with Brit) production - Tripping Over? Where'd that go? Another show swallowed into the void of "Reality TV"?

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

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LogosTue, 1 May 2007, 04:13 pm

I watched "The Secret Life

I watched "The Secret Life of Us" in the UK when I was there and just couldn't get into it. I don't like soaps either. Give me a good sit com or a serious drama series anytime. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

LabrugWed, 2 May 2007, 09:55 am

Just a quick note

I have updated the original posting with a link directly to my personal blog. There is also a poll thingy too.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
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LabrugThu, 3 May 2007, 10:00 am

Last night - The saga Continues

It gets better and better doesn't it. Last night was a shambles across TWO Networks this time. House suddenly became a repeat, Heros was 20 minutes late and BB went 50 minutes over the scheduled time slot!!!

It is nonsense.

Gripe over. All griping now reserved for private blog space. ;-)

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
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LogosThu, 3 May 2007, 10:09 am

Yeah

I was going to say the same thing. Oh and no Simpsons either. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

LabrugThu, 3 May 2007, 10:23 am

Simply Forgotten

Yes, I forgot that bit. BB was only listed as being 7:30 to 8:00, instead it runs until 8:45/50 wiping out one show completely. Now that's what I call good planning.

I wonder if the same guy responsible for that little bit of wisdom also helped plan the Southern Perth Rail link, or has had some involvement with the governments Shared Service Centre debacle? Maybe they'er related.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
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NaThu, 3 May 2007, 10:48 am

I haven't watched any TV

I haven't watched any TV for about two weeks - more because I've been busy with my show than anything else (I am also watching fewer and fewer programs it seems, with nothing 'good' on anymore). Actually, I've enjoyed my evenings. I don't have my own TV at home (living with my parents still, we have a great big screen TV and a digital recorder, but I've got no real opportunity to watch in my own room)... I finally remembered (duh!) that I can watch DVDs on my laptop; so I set up some cartoons - my fav. show - on my laptop, and watched. Very nice! No ads, no interruptions, a bed to lie on. I think I'll be doing this from now on. And avoid watching badly programmed American trash for a while. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

cass321Fri, 4 May 2007, 09:54 pm

hmmm...

How many people know about the licencing fee for a TELEVISION in the uk? Does that pay for BBC production?!...just a thought and a question...

NaFri, 4 May 2007, 10:31 pm

I've known about it for

I've known about it for about a year or two... Never quite fully understood the concept or implications of it. I guess because we are so used to having 'free' TV here, it seems odd to us that another country institutionalises a fee. I'm sure somewhere in WWW-land, there is an explanation. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

Neville TalbotSat, 5 May 2007, 01:08 am

yes there is a fee

My understanding of the system is that everyone who owns a tv is supposed to have a licence. This fee covers costs for running the BBC to some extent, but what, if anything, else I don't know. I was just discussing it with my mum the other night. Apparently they have started to monitor tv sales, and are tracking people who buy a tele to make sure they have a licence. very big brother, and just a little spooky in my opinion. You buy a tv (privately) and a week later get a letter from some govt dept informing you that you just bought a tele and need a licence... and people keep telling me "It won't happen". bull...t! neville It's the simple things stupid...

LogosSat, 5 May 2007, 10:57 am

The license fee in the UK

pays for the BBC. It was intended to ensure that the Government, whatever colour, would have no way to say to the BBC "we don't like what you are saying so we will cut your funding" it gives them (the BBC) a certain degree of independance. When you buy a TV from a shop you are usually asked if you already have a license and if you don't they will give you a form. If you rent a TV they will fill the form out for you as it is a requirement of renting a set that you have a license. Students at Uni are covered by their home license so they can have a TV in their accomodation without having an individual license. They also have detector vans. I have no idea how they work and never saw one that I knew of. I do remember seeing posters in the underground which said, approximately "No 7 Such and such street Somwhere does not have a TV license" This I think was done by a simple check of known street addresses using council records against a data base of issued licenses. Apparently the name of the householder was nt known to the authority. It wasn't that expensive I also remember ads saying the BBC comes to you for less than 10P a day per household. My wife says it was 99 pounds a year but you could pay it monthly by direct debit. Incidently even if you only watched satellite on a TV that only tuned into the satellite system you still had to have a license. When I was a kid in Aus we had TV licenses but unlike the UK it went into general revenue rather than direct to the ABC and got cut in the sixties I think before colour TV anyway. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

NaSat, 5 May 2007, 11:48 am

Oh..

Now I get it!! Thanks for the explanations everyone. That has confused me for so long. And in a way, it makes sense. Gotta wonder what the ABC would be like now if we had licences? More Aussie drama, less BBC stuff? Or would we have fewer good news coverage programs and more current affairs type trash a la Channels 7 and 9? Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

LogosSat, 5 May 2007, 02:26 pm

One area where the BBC with

One area where the BBC with it's independant fudning has never broken down is quality current affairs programs. And let me tell you you ain't seen nothing till you've seen Jeremy Paxman taking a politician apart with an icepick. A joy to behold. There is much less of this aussie lowest common demoninator current affairs crap on UK TV Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

Walter PlingeSun, 3 June 2007, 03:01 pm

not really

"Students at Uni are covered by their home license so they can have a TV in their accomodation without having an individual license." That's actually not true, but a misconception that gets people in to trouble! When I was at uni there we were always being cautioned that we had to have our own licence. The rule is something like one licence per building, but if it's share accommodation then you all need your own. There is a concession rate for black and white tv only (can you still buy one???!) and there is a MINUTE discount for blind people LOL!!!! It's an ongoing source of humour in the UK. The whole licence thing is a PITA there but I must admit that since I moved to Australia over 5 years ago I have barely watched television as I find the quality terrible, same goes for the radio actually. There have been a few fantastic drama series and miniseries - not all necessarily Australian - but it is far-outweighed by voyeuristic current affairs tripe, reality cash cows and soap operas on their death beds. One standout two-parter for me in the last five years is Jessica, based on Bryce Courtney's novel. Earlier today I met Baz Luhrmann after her spoke at Bowen's Queensland Week breakfast celebration. He spoke about us reaching a new era (in film only?) with the Government finally taking steps to encourage investors, including foreign investors, to not only use Australian production, and Australian actors, but to also create Australian stories. He said that we have a vast canon of Australian literature and history to draw upon as we move in to this new era. Let's hope that we see the fruits of this in our television programming too! It surely can only get better.....???

Walter PlingeMon, 4 June 2007, 05:42 am

long live BB

I'm a big.. big brother fan.. Easily the best show on telly.. Mind you i am from the U.K.

LabrugTue, 5 June 2007, 08:45 am

Indeed

Let's hope so too. Baz Luhrmann is certqainly a big force behind the growing Australian Push to Film and a welcome one too.

>"but it is far-outweighed by voyeuristic current affairs tripe, reality cash cows and soap operas on their death beds."

How so sadly true. With a few exclusions, I have had it with voyeurist TV. Particularly the Big Bore-ther variations. What does it say about the modern day culture when such a show becomes a center piece of entretainment and conversation? It's Sons and Daughters, Days of Our Lives but without the security of fantasy. It's the reality that is the real attraction I guess.

Personally, I have enough problems with my own life without having to think about someone elses, and maybe that's the point also. Who knows...

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
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LogosTue, 5 June 2007, 09:10 am

Well idass if you sit down

Well idass if you sit down for a while and have a nice rest I'm sure you'll feel better soon. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

alexisdramaWed, 6 June 2007, 12:42 am

Jeff,i would like to say

Jeff,

i would like to say this; and i hate BB, the first time i watched was ok but on the 2nd year, well.. i can say that it sux... and even i dont watch it and it getting worse in every year. Did you know there is BB in Greece? and mind you, they do better then here and in US. in Greece, they are more caring, more open-minded ppls and they are more respectable too.

and mind you Jeff, i begin to hate reality show now... to me, it is a waste of time and money. Do you agree?

www.alexisdrama.net.

LabrugWed, 6 June 2007, 09:20 am

Unreal Reality

There is a definite feel of low respect to BB and similar shows. Even this Tribal thingy on TV at the mo., how could you dump a middle-class family, very comfortable with life, into a real-life tribal environment and let them believe that they may be going to a hotel/resort? I felt sorry for the families that they were allowed to believe that. I found it hard to get into and only watched it because the wife was keen.

Admitedly the show has redeemed itself a little with the families actually having a go and trying to live tribal, but for the first few eps, it was what I term Hyper-Reality. I feel the most of the 'Main-stream' reality TV shows are really mis-labled. The "reality" they portray is exagerated and overly stressed - Hyper-reality. It is a caricature of real life like those Newspaper Political Cartoons with exagerated Eye-brows, Noses and Chins.

While there are people who obviously enjoy watching others suffer in real life under unusual and often very stressful circumstances, living in evironments where they are asked (even forced one might say) to be deceitful, hurtful, personally agressive and so forth, all in the name of creating "reality", I find it a very hard pill to take. I fail to see the reality in it at all.

I can almost hear the pending comments of 'What about Temptation, 1 vs 100, Family Fued?' These are game shows where the players know the ground rules, are on equal footing and have a clear idea of the outcome. It is not an attempt to create "Reality" as such. It is the Game Show aspect that makes shows like Survivor and the Great Race barely acceptable in my books. I could watch but have no interest in them, although I did quite enjoy the Mole. When the participants are all aware of what is going on then OK.

For me, "Reality" TV is simply no real.

I went on a bit longer than I anticipated. Alexis, as for a waste of time and money? Obviously from the hordes of fans the show must have (otherwise the show would have been axed) the network and producers would have disagree with you. It's getting them ratings and obviously a bit of cash on the side. As for me, I find it a waste of time while I am waiting for my prefered TV Entertainment. I am also happy to say that I do not waste a cent of the show. ;-)

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

NaWed, 6 June 2007, 09:29 am

I'm a fan of the Amazing

I'm a fan of the Amazing Race - the only reality TV show I allow myself to watch. I like it not for the tantrums or personalities, but for the opportunities to see places I may never go to, and to wonder what I would choose to do in each of the races. I like the challenges the show presents. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

Sean BWed, 6 June 2007, 09:34 am

Love Amazing Race

Yes amazing race is the one reality show I also tolerate. They go to some amazing places. Does anyone watch choir of hard knocks? What do we think of that one? Or how about the shows in the UK and the US that launch reality TV stars into big broadway shows. Grease You're The One That I Want....hmmmm I don't like the concept. ______________________________________________________________ Currently working on: "Boy Banned" a fusion of live acting, video footage, corny songs, syncronised dancing boys and egos! JULY 2007, ticket information coming soon!!!

LogosWed, 6 June 2007, 09:49 am

I like Nerds FC despite not

I like Nerds FC despite not liking that particular code of football. I also really enjoyed the American "So you think you can dance" because thay could. I haven't watched choir of hard knocks but my mother loves it and she hates reality TV. There is a reason the Dutch originators of BB have stopped making it. By the way they make millions out of the people who watch and phone in votes. They could probably afford to show the whole thing without advertising. The same goes for Idol and X factor and all of those. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

stephendeanThu, 7 June 2007, 10:55 pm

TV or Not TV

I have almost given up on watching free to air tv. It all starts to look the same, no matter what channel you are on. And Cable tv is starting to go the same way. Lots of commercials on cable for which you pay a lot of money for.Some nights have gone through all channels twice and hav not found anything worth watching. Thank good for the internet.

alexisdramaTue, 12 June 2007, 05:17 pm

nerds FC

Do you like that program?

wow..... actiaully, i have personally known one of the actors through the forum.

www.alexisdrama.net.

alexisdramaTue, 12 June 2007, 05:25 pm

unreal reality

hah.... yeah same here mate.... since they started these kind of shows that is "reality shows", it began to getting boring and they are same as can be to other shows. you know, i dont watch much TV any more except with a good old movies or fave actor are on.

i admitted that i watched more on greek programs then the western programs or movies. the greek programs has better programs with more on history of Greece and europe, music, cooking shows and etc.

Also i do at times that i go on to live theatres and comedy shows then watching boring shows.

alexisdramaTue, 12 June 2007, 05:30 pm

haha... this reminds me the

haha... this reminds me the "this is the days of our lives". [eyesrolls]

www.alexisdrama.net.

LabrugWed, 13 June 2007, 08:40 am

New Shows

The Pirate Master. Yet another Reality/Survivor/Competition Show. What looks like a very lame rip-off of the Pirates Movies! What Next? Royalty Survivor? Paparazzi Frenzy? Jailhouse Bird?

I made the comment "What is happeneing to all the good quality TV?" to which my other half said "It's all on Foxtel." Figures.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

NaWed, 13 June 2007, 08:50 am

I've been spending more and

I've been spending more and more time watching SBS lately. Although, mainly for news and the occassionally odd TV show. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

LogosWed, 13 June 2007, 09:51 am

I love Nerds FC. The guys

I love Nerds FC. The guys on the show are all really delightful to watch. they are determined to have a good time and learn soemthing about them selves and about football. It is just rivetting. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

Sean BWed, 13 June 2007, 02:03 pm

Jailhouse Bird- Surely

Jailhouse Bird- Surely that's the reality version of Prison Break starring our most favourite inmate set to change her ways Paris Hilton? I don't think anyone commented before on the reality 'Musical Theatre' shows I mentioned...what do we think of them? Would you watch them...and alternatively, would you go see the show after? Sean ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: "Boy Banned" a fusion of live acting, video footage, corny songs, syncronised dancing boys and egos! JULY 2007, ticket information coming soon!!!

LabrugWed, 13 June 2007, 02:17 pm

Admission

I do like and support "Reality Shows" such as Australian Idol, Australia Has Talent, the recently Dusty style documentary, etc. These are progressive or competitive shows which are about personal development, talent, and entertainment, and ARE REAL. Shows like Survivor, The Mole, Race Around The World are barely passable as they are basically Reality Game Shows. BB and the poorer cousins of such are heightened Hyper Reality and, well they are just out.

As for reality Musical Shows - Dusty was a first in that realm. It could have been done better but I applaud the effort none-the-less. A show that can expose the real reality is always far better than the artificial reality of some of these shows.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

Sean BWed, 13 June 2007, 02:24 pm

The Dusty documentary is

The Dusty documentary is different (I Believe anyway). These shows are 'Australian Idol-esque' and get the viewers to vote for the next broadway star (gah). However there is a documentary movie coming out 'Showbusiness' that I really want to see. It is about the 2004 Broadway season and goes behind the scenes on four shows- Avenue Q, Wicked, Taboo...and another one that I can't remember. Anyway it goes from early rehearsals, openings, showings, backstage, front stage, all the way to the Tonies! It looks great! Sean ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: "Boy Banned" a fusion of live acting, video footage, corny songs, syncronised dancing boys and egos! JULY 2007, ticket information coming soon!!!

LabrugWed, 13 June 2007, 02:29 pm

Theatrical Idol

Actually, this concept is something that I had thought about myself from time to time. Star Power (while not televised) is along the same lines.

Actually, I just remembered that Restraunt competition that ran a couple of times before fading into nothing. When Perth Base Room 19 (or something like that) won, we went and had a meal there. Great food. This would be something like going to see a show after an Idol like experience I guess.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

NaWed, 13 June 2007, 02:36 pm

Documentary schmockumentary

What was reality TV before the term was coined? Documentary. We really need a new name for the trash that exists now. Perhaps something like 'scripted reality'. (Versus 'scripted drama'... actually 'scripted reality' reminds me of those stupid ads on TV - there's one with a Daddo and his wife - that say 'this ad was not scripted', despite the fact that they have been clearly given talking points and it is not ad lib at all) Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

LogosWed, 13 June 2007, 02:54 pm

I have major problems with

I have major problems with Australian Idol because so few of the contestants actually can sing. There have been a few honorable exceptions but how the hell did Anthony Callea come second. The shows are simply a popularity contest with no relationship between the winner and the real talent. I watched all of Australia's got Talent and I'm sorry but most of the real talent got put out before the final. The child who won needs about ten years serious training. The real talent of that show was "Soul Mystique" the transformation act although I really loved the guy with gum leaves. And if you don't think a speciality act should have won then why pass over the kid who could play piano. The money could have taken him much further than it will ever take the girl. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

LabrugWed, 13 June 2007, 03:01 pm

As they are

Documentaries are Documentaries and for that I am glad.

Shows where the entertainment is a clearly defined competition, with clearly defined goals (Temptation, Deal or No Deal) are Game Shows in their truest sense. Even Idol and similar would fall into this category.

Shows which place contestants into an ongoing, and potentially unfamiliar environment, but are achieving a clearly defined goal such as money are Reality Game Shows. Race Around the World, Survivor, etc.

Big Brother and so forth, Fishbowl TV, where contestants are thrown into a totally unrealistic environment, forced to get along with people that have been specifically selected to create the most amount of friction, compete in to occasional weird challenge which potentially humiliates those involved, and to have every second of you life filmed by hidden camera and piped out to a voyeristic audience who will then pay for the show through thousands of phonecalls and text messages, all eager for the next contestant to snap.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

NaWed, 13 June 2007, 04:31 pm

I agree with the 'Fishbowl

I agree with the 'Fishbowl TV' term. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

LabrugThu, 14 June 2007, 01:28 pm

I understand

Yet at the same time, the industry that these "kids" are trying to get into is all about popularity more so than talent.

I do agree about the level of talent however. Those that can, make their own leads into the industry. And I sooo agree abouth AC!!! How did he lose?

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

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