Big Brother Over Again...Do We Care?
So, once again, a season of the CBS reality show, Big Brother has come to an end. The winner of this installment of the show was Adam, from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. As I sat on my bed and watched the finale last night, I couldn’t help but wonder, why would anyone try out for this show? Why would anyone try out for any reality show, for that matter?Certainly, there is the cash prize. The winner of Big Brother earns $500,000 and the runner-up leaves with a $50,000 prize. However, that kind of money doesn’t go too far in today’s economy. Where I live, it wouldn’t even purchase a 3-bedroom home. There is also the fact that many of these reality players state time and time again that they aren’t in it for the money. They are in it for the challenge. Yeah, I’m sure that’s the case.
I believe that the majority of the people who sign-up for reality television programs do so in the hopes of achieving some kind of fame for themselves, beyond the show. People who subscribe to the live feeds from Big Brother often quoted the houseguests stating that they couldn’t wait until they left the house so that they could accept movie deals and television appearances that they knew were coming their way. My question is, how many reality show winners have actually gone on to have careers in the entertainment industry?
With the exception of American Idol, once the lights go down and the soundstage is swept up for the season, these reality players are quickly forgotten; their lives no longer important to us. They don’t affect us. We no longer care about them. We’ve sated ourselves with a peek into their personal lives, and once the excitement is gone, we toss them off like our shoes at the end of the workday.
So, my advice is for people to think twice before trying out for these reality shows. If chosen, you leave your family for months to live in a fishbowl, where America gets to peek at your personal thoughts and actions. In the best case scenario, you could win some money. In the worst, you get nothing. But, even if you win, the money will soon be spent and your name will quickly be forgotten, which may be more difficult than never having been known at all.
By: Amy Bozza
Published: 04/29/08
Published: 04/29/08
11 Posted Comments:
Re: Big Brother Over Again!
@ 9:49 am 04/29/08 by C@rolI couldn't agree more and every one of these in the series of the Big Brother shows have been pretty much the same with people only seeking to gain fame in some way or another. After the second Big Brother the show became very boring for me and I know longer watched. I also felt that the show somewhat when not being orchestrated gave you a very realistic view of how people really do treat each other in the real world. Thanks Amy. Great article.
C@rol
Reply to this CommentC@rol
Reality TV
@ 9:49 am 04/29/08 by Noella GintherI often wonder about that. Why would you put yourself out like that? Some of the behavior displayed on BB is shameful, and if you have a family, do you want them to see you like that? The show that gets me is the one with the lie detector. And co-workers, bosses, husbands, wives ask the questions, and you air it all on national tv. That could affect your job, your home life. Upon leaving the show, you could be without a job and on the way to divorce due to a thought you may have never acted on.
Reality tv has gone too far. These are the participants, but what does it say about the viewers? IF they weren't watching, would there be a show? North America loves the controversial...what is that doing to our nations?
Reply to this CommentReality tv has gone too far. These are the participants, but what does it say about the viewers? IF they weren't watching, would there be a show? North America loves the controversial...what is that doing to our nations?
@ 9:59 am 04/29/08 by Darlene
You are right Amy, doing this show or others like it makes me wonder... why?!
I was amazed (yes I do watch
Reply to this CommentI was amazed (yes I do watch
Big Brother Over Again...
@ 10:20 am 04/29/08 by CherylI agree with the writer and think that the people who participate are hoping to strike it big. Problem is with these shows there are more losers than winners...
Reply to this CommentI completely agree, Amy. People should spend more time improving their reality, rather than seeking "reality" fame.
Reply to this Comment@ 11:16 am 04/29/08 by Lady V
It's all a matter of face-time... if they can develop a persona that people either love or hate, they will be remembered. Personally, I don't 'get' the whole Big Brother following, but then again, I didn't 'get' Real World and Road Rules either, to name but a few. Great article Amy, I think you are on to something there.
Reply to this Comment@ 12:31 pm 04/29/08 by Shandra
I completely agree. I think it takes a 'special' kind of person to apply for reality shows. Big Brother, never seen it so I can't comment on it specifically, but Flavor of Love...Another Shot of Love...I Love New York...some of those people are just insane (and I've only seen glimpses of them off the TV Guide channel).
Reply to this CommentBig Brother
@ 12:39 pm 04/29/08 by MelissaI would actually consider it if I thought it would actually benefit my family. But I think living in the fish bowl would be more destructive than constructive to our family dynamic.
:)
That being said, A few episodes in and I gave up on the show.
Reply to this Comment:)
That being said, A few episodes in and I gave up on the show.
@ 1:08 pm 04/29/08 by mom2knk
I absolutely agree with you. I think the whole dynamic of the show changed after the first season........as it has with all the other "reality" type shows. It seems to be more about doing whatever to get to the end, no matter what you have to do. I don't understand why anyone would want to expose themselves that way.......the money wouldn't be worth it.........for me anyway!
Reply to this CommentSpot on, Amy. Why give over your life agenda to the mercy of the box and its collaborators? Sure, you could possibly make a dime, but at what cost? Although I may consider trade spaces.....you game? Just kidding.
A
Reply to this CommentA
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