Fear Factor is the best. Reality shows are dumb.

[Gpoliceman]

Fear Factor is the only reality show I really like. I read someone in another post talking about how they don't like it because it has new contestants every week.

As a matter of fact, that's one of the things I like about the show. I'm not a BIG television watcher. The only shows I watch are any animated television show which involves Batman. The X-Files, Simpsons, and Seinfield are all cool too. But that's about it. And so the fact that it's not a show like Survivor where I have to watch every dang week so I don't miss anything important makes me happy.

I like new contestants every week because it makes it seem more like a gameshow (which if you break it down to it's simplest form, that's all it is)

How would you like it if The Wheel of Fortune had the same contestants for a whole season?

That would suck right? Well, that's why I like Fear Factor.

I don't understand how these reality shows are called "reality" shows anyhow. I think they should be called game shows.

That's all they are. You do the show and win money for it. How is Survivor any different from Jeopardy? The people on Jeopardy are REAL PEOPLE. They're not ACTING just like the people on Survivor aren't acting. And both people on both shows are on the show playing some time of game to WIN MONEY.

It's as simple as that. I don't understand this whole "reality" tv that we have now. I think every channel just has game shows on now.

Anyhow, Fear Factor is the best one out of all these "gameshows". The show is exciting to watch because you can think of what you would do in the stunts they perform (kinda like Murder in Small Town X, which is now my second favorite gameshow).

The fact that it's new contestants every week keeps the show fresh. I really don't give a crap about character development on a game show.

I think Joe Rogan, the host, has nice sarcastic humor.

I think the stunts are challenging too.

If any "gameshow" continues on for many more seasons I hope Fear Factor is one of them.

I don't like Survivor at all because of how boring and long the show seems when you're watching it. I've only watched two episodes of Survivor and guess what they were.........

...........I watched the reunion of all the contestants after the winner was announced and when they're interviewed by Bryant Gumble or whatever his name is.

When I watch the reunion I feel like I missed nothing about the show and I don't mind I never watched a single actual episode.

I saw one episode of Big Brother and I feel asleep.

All in all, the only TRUE reality show on tv is MTV's the Real World. And that show sucks too.

Gpoliceman

[Clayface]

Well, I disagre with just about everything you said in this post. But I'll just address a few comments you made.


Originally posted by Gpoliceman [/b]
Fear Factor is the only reality show I really like.
[/b]


Funny thing is, I wouldn't consider Fear Factor a reality show - I'd consider it a game show. What's the difference you ask? More on that later.




And so the fact that it's not a show like Survivor where I have to watch every dang week so I don't miss anything important makes me happy.



One word: VCR

Its not all that hard to set a VCR to record the show so you don't miss anything.

Personally, I prefer that there are returning contestants, because you do get to know them.



[b]
I don't understand how these reality shows are called "reality" shows anyhow. I think they should be called game shows.



I agree and disagree. I agree that the term "reality show" is used a bit loosely in a lot of these. However, as I said above, I do believe there is a fundamental difference between a "reality" show (such as Survivor) and a "game" show (such as Fear Factor).

With "reality" shows, you get to know the people - you get to learn a little about what makes them tick, and it makes you have much more attachment to them - thus a greater payoff when you see your favorite win (or disappointment when they lose). Each contestant is not just another nameless face that comes and goes. To me, this makes reality shows a hell of a lot more interesting than game shows. When I watch Fear Factor (the few times I have) I've never cared for any of the contestants, and I couldn't care less who wins. That's not the case when I watch "reality" shows.



[b]
Anyhow, Fear Factor is the best one out of all these "gameshows". The show is exciting to watch because you can think of what you would do in the stunts they perform (kinda like Murder in Small Town X, which is now my second favorite gameshow).



And you also get that with Survivor. But honestly, I find Fear Factor incredibly boring - there's just nothing that appeals to me. What appeals to me about the "reality" shows is the people aspect - when I watch survivor, I'm usually sort of bored when they're doing their challenges - I watch it because I like to see who's scheming against who, who's using what strategy to not get voted off, to learn a little about the people, etc. The challenges are only a secondary aspect of the show to me. So, when you have something like Fear Factor, where you focus only on that aspect, the show looses a lot of depth, IMO. I think this is just a matter of what the viewer finds entertaining.




The fact that it's new contestants every week keeps the show fresh. I really don't give a crap about character development on a game show.



And that's where we differ - to me, the character development IS the show. I don't give a crap about "keeping it fresh".




I don't like Survivor at all because of how boring and long the show seems when you're watching it.


Now how can you say that when you've admitted that you haven't actually watched the show!?! Watching the reunion show is not the same as watching Survivor. I skip the reunion show, because I find it boring - to judge the whole show on that is unfair.




I saw one episode of Big Brother and I feel asleep.



Now that one I can agree with you on - Big Brother sucked, and I think most people agree. Why they're doing another one is beyond me.

[Bud 'n Lou]

I agree with Clayface. And I must add that Real World is my favorite reality show, although some seasons are better than others. Hawaii is probably the best. All those mentally disturbed people...all in one house...Great entertainment.

[Vigo Sprax]

I'm not going to get into a Reality vs Game Show debate. I've enjoyed the episodes of Fear Factor that I've seen so far because those stunts are sooo cool and right out of the movies. I really think they should drop the whole bug eating thing though, people shouldn't win money for that.

As for other shows, I found the 2nd Survivor entertaining...but I hate Big Brother, Temptation Island, and a lot of other crap.