Reality TV That Doesn't Make You Feel Dirty Watching It

[Elspode]

I'm watching "Modern Marvels" on The History Channel. This episode is about axes. Yup, axes...big, heavy, sharp things meant to hack trees apart. Makes me soooo glad that we have chainsaws.

Reality TV like this is educational, interesting and actually...well, real.
When I finish watching MM, or How Its Made, Junkyard Wars, How Do They Do It?...even "Destroyed in Seconds" or "Real TV", I come away without that sullied, vaguely slimy feeling that I get when I accidentally see episodes of The Simple Life or any of those other celeb based pieces of shit.

So, who watches Reality TV? What do you like? Why do you like it? Do you want junk food for the mind or something that makes you wish you were creative and interesting enough to have your own show?

There are no wrong answers. Well, there are, but let's pretend there aren't for now.

[Aliantha]

I like Idol, but that's about it for reality shows for me. The rest of them pretty much suck in my opinion.

[Cicero]

Heh, I like HGTV, all of it. Ghost Hunters, Dirty Jobs, and Mythbusters.

Yep, I thought I'd never been into it, and often frowned on it, until it was stuff I liked.

Now I'm a pathetic addict.

[Pico and ME]

I like Project Runway, Top Chef, Top Design, What Not To Wear AND the shows Elspode and Cicero mentioned.

[Elspode]

We are Idol junkies at my house, but that isn't celeb Reality. Much as it is vapid in its presentation and all, it still boils down to this: can the prospective Idol bring it? Based on their performances, their looks, their personalities, are they ready for prime time?

*That* qualifies as Real. I know a potential Idol if, when they perform, they bring goosebumps to my arms. Strip away the trappings of the presentation, and you are left with what the performer can do.

That's awesome. The rest of it is crap, but the performances can and have been brilliant.

[Sundae]

I like reality tv.
It saddens people I know (esp HM, who despised it for being cheap, tacky and common - and because he didn't get to work on it).

I don't usually watch TV for edification. I watch it for entertainment. I'm not stupid - I know when it's formulaic. I can spot editing (hell, at least they're usually more slick than panel shows). I know it's not "truth".

I really enjoy I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here. Mostly for Ant & Dec, I admit, but it never pretends to be a serious show. Can't wait for the next series - Dads finally succumbed to it last year, it will be fun talking to him and Mum about it.

Shipwrecked is the ultimate hangover TV - even when you're not hungover, seeing bratty teens wearing as little as possible is quite calming when you know you will never again be judged on how you look in a bikini. It does make me feel dirty though - bad example.

I like the singing shows. The ones based on musicals. Having Lee Mead in Any Dream Will Do last year made it a must-see for me because he was such a professional (he was already a West End understudy). Glorious. I'd Do Anything - not so good. Still better than the pop based shows though.

Oh and Faking It almost always makes me cry.

What can I say? I haven't come far since bread & circuses.

[Elspode]

Ah, but what about Beer and Circuses?

[wolf]

Project Runway and Top Chef are close to it for me. I do watch Top Design, but it's not as exciting. Shear Genius would probably be third.

I can't watch the "reality TV" shows that rely on the contestents being mean and trying to backstab each other. That's not what I consider fun.

The Bravo competition shows are about individual achievement within one's field, but yeah, the personalities definitely play a part (I still can't stand Laura from Project Runway 3 ... pretentious bitch ... and I ended up rooting for Marcel on Top Chef 2 after the other contestants tortured him, even if he did come off as a completely smacked ass).

Celebrity Rehab is too much like work, which makes it funny for me sometimes. Funny in places that most people wouldn't consider funny.

[jinx]

Originally Posted by wolf

(I still can't stand Laura from Project Runway 3 ... pretentious bitch ... and I ended up rooting for Marcel on Top Chef 2 after the other contestants tortured him, even if he did come off as a completely smacked ass).

I liked Laura, her sense of humor cracked me up (pregnant with her 6th child "just throw it on the pile with the rest"), but I also was rooting for Marcel because Ilan was such a little smarmy bitch.

I just couldn't get into this past season of Project Runway, I don't really know what was different though.

[Sundae]

Coincidentally, there's people whinging about chariot racing in the London papers today. I think it might be coming to the O2. Not my bag - I'd take beer and bread over chariots & circus any day.

And thick cut frites with mussels, and mayo, and unsalted butter.
Damn I'm craving Belgian

[jinx]

Top Chef and Iron Chef are my favorites. Dirty Jobs is ok sometimes, mostly just because Mike Rowe is hot. I've never seen any of the network tv ones.... usually I have History channel on and half watch it.

[Pico and ME]

Originally Posted by jinx

Mike Rowe is hot. .

OMG, YES! He's cool and funny.

I forgot to mention Survivor Man. I much prefer him over the other one with the cuter guy.

[SquidGirl]

Originally Posted by jinx

Top Chef and Iron Chef are my favorites. Dirty Jobs is ok sometimes, mostly just because Mike Rowe is hot...

Ditto on Iron Chef, I'm not big into Mike Rowe, but I will watch Man vs. Wild any day since Bear Grylls gets near naked every episode!!! I don't really care for reality shows as you know some people act like asses just because they are on TV. Ninja Warrior is pretty cool, too...but I don't really consider that reality TV. I used to watch the show where the Brit nanny would stop by and help out but then it just angered me knowing it's not the kids being horrid creatures as much as poor parenting....in my opinion atleast. I think most reality TV brings out the worst in people. I used to love watching What Not To Wear but Stacy just gets plain 'ole mean now...

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by jinx

Mike Rowe is hot.

Have you seen any of the episodes where he happens to sing? He used to be a professional opera performer, no shit.

But I don't think nonfiction shows like "Dirty Jobs" and "Mythbusters" count as reality TV. To me, there have to be major unscripted elements and some semblance of a contest to qualify.

I like "Top Chef" and "Project Runway," and I've mentioned before my really inexplicable love of "The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team." I used to like a lot of the interior re-design type of shows, but I got burnt out on them.

[lumberjim]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

I like "Top Chef" and "Project Runway," and I've mentioned before my really inexplicable love of "The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team." I used to like a lot of the interior re-design type of shows, but I got burnt out on them.

I endure those because it's easier than fighting with jinx.....and they're awful. both of them. I would punch any or all of the judges/hosts... including Tim Gunn.... right in the labia if i ever saw them on the street.