[Red Moon]

I was wondering what people thought of the premiss that: "All reality television is just a modern extension of the old fashion fair freak show into a modern medium."

Once again there was an article in the press claiming that the X-factor was in fact a freak show and exploiting the contestants. We have also seen the same sort of claims about Big Brother in the past with particular with reference to Big Brother 7 and the choice of Nikki Grahame, Shahbaz Chauhby, Pete Bennett, Lea Walker and Sam Brodie as housemates.

Is the premiss true or false. Is reality television just a modern day freak show for the entertainment of the masses or is it more than that?

[Jackie]

I dont think so they put themselves up for the show no one forces them into it .

[~Kizwiz~]

I have certainly noticed that BB has gotten more and more bizzare with their choice of housemates. Its as if they want to shock more than entertain.

With regards to the x factor, people go on that, knowing ful well they have no talent whatsoever, but there is the small chance, like the cheeky girls, who came out of this show, that they could have a bite of the apple.

People want their 15 seconds of fame..... even if it does make them look like moronic idiots

[Red Moon]

Originally posted by jackie46
I dont think so they put themselves up for the show no one forces them into it .

That is very true but the shows don't have to pick the contestants they do.

It was clear in Big Brother 7 they went out to select people with extreme personalities. Some of these had personality problems. Surely the producers of such shows have responsibility to pick individuals of sound mind and body to a certain degree. I think it is safe to say Big Brother 7 was clearly a freak show when compared against other Big Brothers.

However, it's interesting to note in order hold ratings up over the years the people on reality TV shows has become more and more extreme. Hence the premiss that "All reality television is just a modern extension of the old fashion fair freak show into a modern medium." could be considered true.

[Conor]

Yes and no. It depends on the person, not the show. Theres some very normal BB contestanys, especialy from BB1 & 2.

I myself would love to star in a reality show someday!

[Red Moon]

Originally posted by kizwiz
People want their 15 seconds of fame..... even if it does make them look like moronic idiots

It amazes me that they put themselves though it. Surely if these people had any friends they would tell them not to go on such a show. Look at the auditions of the X-factor. Some of the people really think they have what it takes and the can't even sing a single note in key. So why aren't there friends telling them not to go on?

Once again should the producers, of the X Factor, be using these people? Aren't they just lowering the quality of the show for cheep laughs by using the lonely freaks that audition?

[Jackie]

Yes i do agree they do select odd housemates like pete and jonty,just to see if they cope with everyday people,but pete came out a winner and i think the public really liked him and excepted him as a normal everyday person.

[~Kizwiz~]

Originally posted by Red Moon

It amazes me that they put themselves though it. Surely if these people had any friends they would tell them not to go on such a show. Look at the auditions of the X-factor. Some of the people really think they have what it takes and the can't even sing a single note in key. So why aren't there friends telling them not to go on?

Once again should the producers, of the X Factor, be using these people? Aren't they just lowering the quality of the show for cheep laughs by using the lonely freaks that audition?

Ahhh but there is a difference here with the x-factor.

There are those that have no talent at all..... tone deff.... and they go on it just for a laugh..... down the pub with their mates laughing at themselves bragging that they got on the x-factor. Dont forget that thousands upon thousands audition and so the ones who are shown are the "cream" of the crop so to speak.

Then there are the ones who, with encouragement from their family, truely believe that they can sing but cant. Now, this is mainly the friends and family's fault as they have built up their belief in their "talent" so much that they really believe that they can sing to the standards that this show is looking for

[Red Moon]

Originally posted by jackie46
Yes i do agree they do select odd housemates like pete and jonty,just to see if they cope with everyday people,but pete came out a winner and i think the public really liked him and excepted him as a normal everyday person.

They might not have thought him was normal at all. People might have vote for him because they were laughing at him, felt sorry for him or just because he was different?

We will never know for sure why he was the winner but he was the winner from day one until then end. It wasn't what he did in the house that made him the winner because he became the most boring housemate in there other than the tea lady after a few weeks. So what was it that did make him a winner? Clearly he wasn't judged on what he did in the house.

[Captain.Remy]

Big Brother 7 did show us how sometimes real tv can be freaky. We had a bizarre bunch of housemates, it was bad for the viewers. But more for the housemates themselves: being exposed 24/7 with their health/mental problems, it would have been quite hard for them as Shabbaz, Pete, Sam or Nikki.

One thing made me sick the most is how those people have been exposed, they were like some animals in a circus, like monsters and then "Hey would you like to see the new freaky thing ?"

And this year we had Chanelle, a completely lost women with no identity, who her exemple is Victoria Beckham. She doesn't have any clue about her own personality, she does have a psychic problem.

And then we had Jonty, a man who had needed more a psychologist than Big Brother.

The producers must not do that against, I have pity for that type of housemates, I don't hate them, I'm just sad for them.

[Red Moon]

Originally posted by kizwiz
Ahhh but there is a difference here with the x-factor.

There are those that have no talent at all..... tone deff.... and they go on it just for a laugh..... down the pub with their mates laughing at themselves bragging that they got on the x-factor. Dont forget that thousands upon thousands audition and so the ones who are shown are the "cream" of the crop so to speak.

Then there are the ones who, with encouragement from their family, truely believe that they can sing but cant. Now, this is mainly the friends and family's fault as they have built up their belief in their "talent" so much that they really believe that they can sing to the standards that this show is looking for

I agree, but I put the same question aren't the producers belittling the quality of the show by allowing the people that can't sing to be broadcast for cheap laughs?

[Jackie]

I dont think people felt sorry for him i think people actually warmed to him because he was quite funny especially when he fell down the stairs in the beginning.That was put on.

[Red Moon]

Originally posted by jackie46
I dont think people felt sorry for him i think people actually warmed to him because he was quite funny especially when he fell down the stairs in the beginning.That was put on.

But he was boring by the end. He wasn't even mildly funny. So why didn't he lose support over the length of the show?

[~Kizwiz~]

Originally posted by Red Moon

I agree, but I put the same question aren't the producers belittling the quality of the show by allowing the people that can't sing to be broadcast for cheap laughs?

Maybe, but its the same a slap stick homour isnt it??

Or Carry on??? People doing silly things for cheap laughs!!!

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Red Moon

They might not have thought him was normal at all. People might have vote for him because they were laughing at him, felt sorry for him or just because he was different?

We will never know for sure why he was the winner but he was the winner from day one until then end. It wasn't what he did in the house that made him the winner because he became the most boring housemate in there other than the tea lady after a few weeks. So what was it that did make him a winner? Clearly he wasn't judged on what he did in the house.

If I was Pete I would be so embarassed to know that I know only because I have a mental problem, just imagine his dignity. He didn't win because he deserved it too, he won because he has a mental problem.

I feel so sorry for him, he shouldn't have been allowed to do Big Brother. The producers have made their biggest mistake ever.

[Jackie]

Not sure why maybe a great deal of advertising or clever editing kept him at the top.

[Red Moon]

Originally posted by sunshine30
Big Brother 7 did show us how sometimes real tv can be freaky. We had a bizarre bunch of housemates, it was bad for the viewers. But more for the housemates themselves: being exposed 24/7 with their health/mental problems, it would have been quite hard for them as Shabbaz, Pete, Sam or Nikki.

One thing made me sick the most is how those people have been exposed, they were like some animals in a circus, like monsters and then "Hey would you like to see the new freaky thing ?"

I was felt in particular Big Brother 7 was edited to show how freaky these people actually were. It was made to look like a circus from day one when the people entered the house. I don't think anyone forget will Nikki having the tantrums in the dairy room even if you like her or dislike her. It was freaky.

Like you go on to say Big Brother 8 had some similar suspect housemates, although you forgot Charley and her anger management issues.

Is this a worrying trend for reality TV. Are the shows becoming freak shows?

[Red Moon]

Originally posted by kizwiz
Maybe, but its the same a slap stick homour isnt it??

Or Carry on??? People doing silly things for cheap laughs!!!

But where the carry-on films quality or just dross for the masses? Weren't they a form of freak show in themselves?

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Red Moon
Like you go on to say Big Brother 8 had some similar suspect housemates, although you forgot Charley and her anger management issues.

Even if Charley did offence people I don't think she's suspect of anything. She said it herself, she's not like that in the outside world, it was the context. She's maybe argumentative at all but not until having some mental problems.

Freaky people in BB7 weren't fake, it wasn't about the context, they were real, and that's the biggest problem.

So I will reply to your question by "Yes because if the producers of the shows see that mad, mental, psychos and freak people make some great ratings, then they will continue to provide our screens with that type of people".

[KissyLittleMissy]

I love a lot of reality shows and big brother and the x-factor are just two of many and we sure love those specially as this is a big brother forum. i wouldnt call it a freak show as such, more about entertainment for the modern age. my parents complain a bit and would like to see more game shows and entertainment which was very evident in the 70s and 80s but reality tv is what todays generation wants, my friends live for it and talk about it all the time

i think that many of the x-factor auditions create very good entertainment and the silly ones make us laugh. what is wrong with a good laugh at crappy auditions? thats my fave part and i love it. I know that some housemates from bb7 and evne bb8 were pretty freakish, even cbb's to, but once again, that is entertainment of the highest order, but not to evryones taste

[Red Moon]

Originally posted by sunshine30
So I will reply to your question by "Yes because if the producers of the shows see that mad, mental, psychos and freak people make some great ratings, then they will continue to provide our screens with that type of people".

Clearly we can establish a link with using freaky people or even freaky task (CBB4) with Big Brother Producers to gain ratings.

The question that remains does that apply to other reality television shows too?

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Red Moon

Clearly we can establish a link with using freaky people or even freaky task (CBB4) with Big Brother Producers to gain ratings.

The question that remains does that apply to other reality television shows too?

Of course we can establish that link it's obvious, we all know that special people make ratings !

I don't know if it does apply to the other shows as in France there is law about this, peole who have been recognised as "mentals and stuff" by the psychologists aren't aloud in real tv.

[Retroman]

With Big Brother 8 especially, a large majority of the housemates were looking for fame...

And even the one's who you'd possibly assume weren't, are taking advantage of the offers that have come their way after leaving the house. So they aren't really losing out by putting themselves on tv. Im sure many would argue their lives are now better, not worse. And I don't think they gain that attention for being freaks.

Even poor X Factor contestants have gone on to say how popular they've become for being so terrible, and they've gotten to take part in certain shows/events and just generally be the talk of the town in their local area.

In my eyes reality tv = mostly unedited, completely unrehearsed and unpredictable television from common members of the public.

That's its biggest advantage.
It manages to make everything more interesting.

X factor type shows are a balance of things.
Cheering on the potential hopefulls, having your favourite singer, admiring the talents of people from all ages.

Whilst also being about laughing at how deluded and strange some people are.

Only the auditions contain the "freaks" and not all the auditions are of "freaks" so the majority of the show is actually showcasing untapped talent around the UK. If people notice the "freaks" more that could say more about them if anything.

But if watching people delude themselves intreagues us enough to be entertaining, then so be it.

Big Brother is on a different level however...
I wouldn't call them freaks, or deluded as such. They're all just very unique, which Big Brother does on purpose to create more interesting viewing. It is a social experiment that encourages entirely different people to all live in the same house, whilst also being a journey for those people.

Nikki for example, is a very unique individual.
But she has a decent enough grasp on reality not to audition for a singing contest by doing some of the things X factor contestants do.

[Captain.Remy]

Message original : Retroman
Big Brother is on a different level however...
I wouldn't call them freaks, or deluded as such. They're all just very unique, which Big Brother does on purpose to create more interesting viewing. It is a social experiment that encourages entirely different people to all live in the same house, whilst also being a journey for those people.

Nikki for example, is a very unique individual.
But she has a decent enough grasp on reality not to audition for a singing contest by doing some of the things X factor contestants do.

Nikki should have been more prepared for Big Brother, it was a huge shock for her, they would have been more careful with her and Shabbaz too.

And of course they are freaks and deluded, did you see the BB7 cast ?

Edited by Sunny_01 - suggesting or calling other FMs ignorant is against the forum rules, please dont do this in future

I'm personally not interested by watching that type of people, you can be unique and not being mental. I found BB7 terribly pathetic and ridiculous, I was fed up so much !

The producers must be careful with who they cast, BB is not for everyone, it's for strong people and they take the risk of destroying lifes only for ratings.

[Retroman]

Originally posted by sunshine30
Nikki should have been more prepared for Big Brother, it was a huge shock for her, they would have been more careful with her and Shabbaz too.
And of course they are freaks and deluded, did you see the BB7 cast ? Don't be ignorant please.
I'm personally not interested by watching that type of people, you can be unique and not being mental. I found BB7 terribly pathetic and ridiculous, I was fed up so much !
The producers must be careful with who they cast, BB is not for everyone, it's for strong people and they take the risk of destroying lifes only for ratings.

I don't think you have the right to call me ignorant because I class people that are out of the ordinary as unique =]
Whereas you just pass them off as freaks clearly.

They are people afterall...
And it is you who is ignorant if you aren't aware of the truly freakish people out there in the world, who do things far beyond anything a housemate would even care to contemplate.

Pete had terrettes, I don't think you can label him as a freak.
Nikki had temper tantrums and reverted to child behaviour, but she's nothing completely out of the ordinary.
And im pretty sure nobody else had any major character traits that made them such a freak that they don't fit into todays society.

So yea, in short...

1. Don't call me ignorant because I class unusual people differently than you do. You're entitled to label people as freaks, but the next time you call me ignorant you may want to add a little substance to your claim.

2. None of these people are so abnormal that they should be labelled freaks. They're all relatively normal if anything...with one or two major character traits.