Reality shows versus celebrity reality shows?

Question

Which do you like better -- the ones with normal, ordinary folks OR the ones with celebrities?

I don't watch either (UNLESS I flip channels -- and in those cases, I may watch for a minute or two but that's all.)

Personally, I don't like either. The concept is old, unoriginal and boring. Does anyone think the shows are kind of egotistical?

What are your thoughts on watching the day-to-day life of these folks?

Answer 1

I've worked on and watched both kinds, and feel that there's good and bad ones on both sides of the celebrity/noncelebrity fence. The key for me lies in "rule of one" authenticity... one of the following must be true: The situation or the individual's response to the situation.

The day-to-day life shows are fun until the producers show their hand by having Gene Simmons open a bikini car wash or some other chunk of unbelievable nonsense that never pays off. It doesn't pay off because the construct is false, just like Gene's reactions would certainly seem.

Take, on the other hand, a show like The Surreal Life. The situations are contrived, but the celebrities are at least responding authentically. Fun show, even when it's at its dippiest.

Growing more rare daily are the shows where reality is culled from events without too much fiddling with facts. Current examples: Flipping Out, Intervention.

As to the Ego issue... ego makes for strong characters. You respond more to someone over-the-top (in either the good or bad way) than you do to someone kind of average-Joe-ish except in competition programs, where we root for whomever seems most like ourselves.

Answer 2

It's hard to compare because most of the "celebrities" are washed up has-beens or people that the vast majority of the country has never heard of. Drew Lachey might have won Dancing With the Stars but his main claim to fame is that he was Jessica Simpson's brother-in-law. I can't even remember a single song that his boy band sang. And who are Katie and Pete (on the E channel)? ALL reality shows are pretty boring these days. :(

Answer 3

I like the has-been celeb reality shows. Mostly because it's funny to watch the regular people that cut throats just to stay on these shows to get a date with the has-been star. It's not like I really even care about the celeb on the show, it's the people they put around them that makes it entertaining.
Like why would they try so hard for a has-been? It is a guilty pleasure.

Answer 4

Well I'm really don't care for celebs, so of course I don't want to watch some "reality" show about them. I'll watch some of the "reality" shows on tv w/ "real" people on them, but I never take it too seriously. Mostly those people are just trying to become celebrities themselves. Plus it's not really "reality tv", it's always staged and the producers make things appear how they want.

Answer 5

I still enjoy both (but I'm starting to cut my choices down to just a few that I watch as some were fun for one season and boring or campy beyond that). I like the reality shows with regular people - I find enjoyment in working out strategies early on and all the way down to the end votes. As far as celebrity reality shows, I have to admit, I enjoyed watching what little Screech had left (if there was any, I think it's all made up in his head) of his career crash and burn on that Celebrity Fit Camp thing. There used to be one where Celebrities were left in a Survivor like camp but with a lot more amenities and had to do weird challenges - I forget the name but it certainly cracked me up to see them squirm and scream in high pitched tones.

It's kinda nice to see celebrities humble themselves and willing to do just about anything for entertainment or even with their agent's promise to revitalize their career while some of us are willing to do the same to just obtain our fifteen minutes in the spotlight.

Answer 6

I likes me the normal folks.
Them celebrities should roll over and die with their careers.
Give Bob Six-pack a shot at some dough!
Oh, and reality shows aren't going anywhere anytime soon. They are a lot cheaper to produce than a scripted show.

Answer 7

Regulars.

Usually on celebrity reality shows they get has beens that ham it up for the camera in hopes they will be rediscovered by legitimate Hollywood.

Example is that John Hurley guy. He was on Dancing with the Stars. My ex subjected me to that torture one evening and the entire time he did everything to get on the camera. Now he hosts Family Fued. I think John Hurley is his name, if not sorry.

Answer 8

I hate reality shows but LOVE celeb reality. I'm watching The Two Coreys, Rock of Love, and Scott Baio is 40 and Single. I also watch My Life on the D-List and did watch that Paula Abdul trainwreck of a show! They are entertaining shows. I know there isn't much reality about them but they are funny.

Answer 9

I only know about Big Brother- CBS (airdate Feb., 12 @ 9:00 central time)

Answer 10

I have too much trouble keeping up with my own life to watch someone else trying to deal with a whole lot less than I have to deal with.