Keeping it real.

I like the idea of reality TV, really I do. It's very name tells what it should do on the tin doesn't it? Reality should have a huge place on TV, with its potential to communicate, inform, inspire and influence, yet I get royally furious with so many of these programmes which just set themselves up as entertainment when what they are really there for is to hold up people for ridicule as a freak show and pander to the egos of megalomaniac 'celebrities', fame hungry media whores or deluded and misguided, desperate-for-attention idiots. I hate the way panel shows offer 'participation' at a price, manipulate opinion and votes and change some poor 'winners' life so radically and so quickly, having created a public that's desperate not for any winning individual but for just the next serving of more of the same pap and who will never have interest in a winner for more than a few months beyond the end of the series, so desperate have their manipulated tastes become for 'bigger', 'better' and yet 'more' of the same crap. Most of I won't watch.

I don't get this modern need for fame and why it's become so important for so many. I see 'stars' with no discernible talent or point and a media industry totally aimed at promoting and celebrating this lifestyle. So many who only feel happy or validated when flashguns are popping and pictures are on front covers of crap magazines, who have 'achieved' fame yet never worked to get the recognition. Why do so many want this instant fame-on-a-plate. Is so much missing in life for so many? Isn't it cringingly ironic that we allow someone like Cheryl Cole, or Piers Morgan to judge talent? I mean - COME ON PEOPLE........

And yet, now and again there are things which make me feel a bit better about the 'reality' side of TV. Some shows are now drawing back from the freakshow spectacle aspect and are coming to the fore with a more positive spin on some of the challenges which face some less fortunate than most; a programme showing extreme weight loss over an extended period of time, supported by an expert who does genuinely seem to care and a production company focused on the subject and the benefits of working hard to achieve something, not the cheap hit potential of an oh-my-god-look-at-them-I-feel-better-about-myself-now programme. A programme with an agenda that's positive, a view that's measured, balanced and even a bit understated.  A programme that stresses it's a long,hard road but it can be done. About time!

Now too I have even found a talent show that doesn't immediately have all my warning bells going off. A dance competition where judges are industry experts with passion for the art rather than mere self promotion. {and who enjoy and respect each other} Where talent is recognised and there's no gawping for gawpings sake but people who may not have a real gift but who have real passion for the subject and not the fame might still make it in front of the cameras to be treated sensibly, decently and compassionately by all. That even celebrates some of the more eccentric sides of our culture in ameasured way. A competition that takes itself and its candidates more seriously. After three years of shows I think it's getting better too. {If only any prize money was invested in building and growing future potential of winners instead of just as a reward}

Oddly I'm hooked on 'Got to Dance'. OK I'm still not comfortable with programmes giving away life changing amounts of cash but that's my opinion and not everyone needs to share it, but I can watch this show and that's not at the front of my mind. I'm amazed by the talent of some of these people - even some of the kids. I'm enthused by the commitment, the work and effort contestants put in and the pleasure they get from it, the bond they create with their partners and the sheer passion they all have no matter what kind of dance they do. I think it's great to watch.



Any one of these have more talent in a scraping from their fingernail than a boatload of big brother contestants any day of the week.

Let's keep it real.

see you later.

Listen to them. The children of the night. What music they make.

Hullo ma wee blog.


Aye, its that time o year again when Simon Cowell et al are wheeled back out on to the manipulating, formulaic, money making gravy train that is 'X Factor'.

That also means that the last few sad, pathetic remnants - sorry, CONTESTANTS - of the Big Brother Hoose are also being whittled down, evicted and thrust into the ever decreasing circle of glare which is the spot light of the 'public eye' so they can preen and prance before the electricity meter runs out.

OH. god.....



But dont get me wrong. I find the idea of reality TV very - no, actually not very, but quite - appealing. To have 12 or 15 people in a house together for a period of time and to watch and understand whats happening to them and their relationship with others I could quite enjoy. Celebrities too. And what about celebrities and general public together in da house if you wanna go that way? Ok, all a bit voyeuristic I suppose but even so.

And I really DO approve of the concept of the talent contest. There are some really talented people out there who for whatever reason are undiscovered, and others who while not truly 'star' material can entertain effectively and who can and perhaps should be doing that for a { hopefully substantial and fullfilling } living. Its great to see ordinary folk do extraordinary things or display truly amazing talents, and its right to celebrate that.
Surely its also right to show families or individuals struggling against adversity whether is child behaviour, food phobias or embarrasing illnesses. If the content and the editing respect individuals and the end result shows the positive benefits that can be achieved with professional support, or shows that there is a lesson to be learned in parenting or education for the wider population then isn't that surely to the good. Would that be reality TV at its best? Its difficult. It can be entertaining to see someone perform who is not nearly as good as they think they are, and maybe it will help them reflect and laugh at themselves or not take themselves so seriously again. But its such a fine line. Is that what makes it so cringe inducingly addictive.

I dunno.

But is it really right to pander to those increasingly deperate, media aware, self seeking fame hags. Or the TV companies that deliberately put together skewed cross sections of society to supposedly represent "the norm" when they are actually aimed at a clearly defined target audience.

Is it right to stick a microphone in the hand of someone who is clearly deluded of their talent and lacking any family or friend able to say 'actually, you cant sing and are never going to be a star, but we love you none the less. ' Are we breeding an acceptance 0f scathing mockery into ourselves and is that really helpful? Is it right to deliberately manipulate audiences during shows and by voting methods to milk even more cash from gullible teenagers with mobile phones. After all its neck and neck and you decide so keep voting.....

Is it a talent contest or a popularity contest { in reality! }.

And is it right to pander to Mr Cowell, hard working and successful as he may be, by making him so much richer for such a cringe inducing exhibition and paying for the priviledge while we do it.

Whats the answer? You decide.

see you later............

Listening to Suzanne Vega......' my name is Luca'