Reply #22: My standard is "protective of human dignity" [View All]

[wickerwoman]

and not many reality shows meet it.

"Survivor" sucks because they don't *need* to eat bugs... they're just doing it for money. And the show is entirely about ganging up on people and backstabbing to get ahead. Ditto most other reality shows including all the "talent" shows which are really just about the bitchiest comments the judges can come up with, never mind the effect they have on peoples' lives.

The two reality shows I do watch are Biggest Loser and The Amazing Race.

I think it sucks that people are sent home on Biggest Loser and I hated when they had to beg to keep their spot, but the show has a legitimate, laudable goal of helping people lose weight and watching people you would have thought had no chance (400+ pounds, totally out of shape) get their shit together in a short period of time is actually really inspiring.

Amazing Race is also actually *about* something- traveling to new places, challenging yourself, broadening your horizons.

And what I really like about both shows is that if you are excellent, you are safe. The mediocre and sociopathic can't gang up and vote you off because you're a "threat". In the BL, as long as you work your ass off, you're safe. And on Amazing Race only the last team is sent home- no voting.