Comments on: VH1 reality TV a showcase for ignorance?

By: Jo Jo

Jo Jo — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 23:46:54 +0000

Reality television has its place in today’s society, but it has declined in its depiction of the so called lives of people. It is now just a game of one show trying to up another. I must say I am of fan of some shows, but any program that reflects my people in a bad light, I rather not see. Actually, they make me ashame because its not entertainment, but its living up to a sterotype that I would rather dispel. Everything can’t be about the dollar, it must be about self-pride.

Jaylen, each post is thought-provoking and intriquing. I am a committed fan!

By: Markeyta

Markeyta — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 21:29:04 +0000

I watch this foolishness simply because it’s easy to laugh at someone else’s pain. To escape your own issues and watch someone else’s for at least a hour is joy in a trashcan.
I think that some people believe that every Black person on televisions should be an advocate for our race, WRONG! These shows are just what you see, get rich schemes.
Scripted or not, there is something intoxicating about getting a peak into somebody’s life. Besides, its not all bad. T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle, La La’s Full Court Life, Tia and Tamera, that’s just to name a few!
I love the good and bad of reality. Someone told me one to chew the meat and spit out the bone. In other words, consume what’s “good” to you and disregard what isn’t.

By: Otto66

Otto66 — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:29:09 +0000

Having watched the clips of “Arrow” on the CW website, it’s clear that there are some talented people involved. Katie Cassidy as the female lead, Greg Berlanti is writing it, David Barrett directed the pilot and Stephen Amell (who could be my double {KIDDING}) as Arrow should be fun to watch. Look forward to you coverage.

By: Jaylen Christie

Jaylen Christie — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:27:08 +0000

Yes, please forward to your friends! I love to get different opinions. Thanks so much for reading! And yes, it’s mindless TV. Maybe we could use a little mindless TV to unwind sometimes.

By: bev

bev — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:17:11 +0000

This is great stuff and will forward it to my friends….

my friends and I were just talking about this. I think those shows are very funny and I have to agree with your friend its mindless tv. I personally don’t take it seriously and love watching the drama.

By: Jaylen Christie

Jaylen Christie — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:10:03 +0000

You certainly have a point, dude! The news is scary. However, if we can look to the news for negative images of us and people in general, then shouldn’t there be a nice balance with the other programs on TV? Shouldn’t there be something a bit more positive? I can definitely understand the escapism factor of reality TV, but seriously, how is catfights and golddigging and back-stabbing a good thing? Is that friendship?

I don’t think Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta just sets Black people back. I think these kinds of shows set EVERYONE back. They aren’t overly positive. How many times is the B word uttered in that show? How many times are they gossiping about one another? I would hate to be a celebrity known for being cruel to others on TV. To me, that’s just not right. Furthermore, why would I want to meet someone who does that sort of thing to other people? Yes, it’s only entertainment, and perhaps that’s what some of us should realize, but these people aren’t examples of how to act and behave.

I’m not saying every reality show is terrible. I’m sure there are some good ones, but I certainly wouldn’t allow my children to watch some of that nonsense. I’m glad to know that you were blessed with a father that monitored what you watched. That’s a good thing. You certainly sound like you know the difference between what is real and what is entertainment. Amen to that.

By: Jaylen Christie

Jaylen Christie — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:49:12 +0000

You are too kind. It’s nice to know that people read my stuff. Hmm… I don’t know if I’ll be covering Fringe, Otto. However, there is a chance that I’ll be covering Arrow on The CW! I’m looking forward to that!

By: jay

jay — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:39:38 +0000

I hate to say it, but i love “reality” tv, even though we know reality tv isnt true “reality”. Yes, you are totally right when you say that it promotes ignorance at times. But we have to realize that this is just a form of entertainment. Yes, it may be someone’s life that we’re viewing, but it’ still entertainmet. And why do we love to say that something has set us back? Why let Basketball Wives set us back? I look at shows like the Real World and 16 and Pregnant which I love. The Real World has sex, drugs, more sex, violence, more sex, alcoholism…AND MORE SEX…you name it, it has it. This show has been on the air for at least 15 years now, if not longer. I dont ever here anyone of caucasian desent saying how this show is setting them back, And what’s trippng me out on 16 & Pregnant is that i cant rememeber ever seeing anyone black on there ever. Maybe before i started watching it or maybe i missed that episode, i’m not sure. No one is talking about these young ladies setting them back. When people watch these shows, they watch it for pure entertainment value. They allow the show to hold their attention, that’s it. You know a reality show that makes us look ignorant every single day? Look at your local news station. We dont need reality tv to make us look ignorant, we do it to ourselves.

I’m a 6’2″ 215 pound black man. The other day a lady saw me walking by and she clinched onto her purse tighter than your favorite running back for your favorite football team. I’m willing to bet these reality shows had nothing to do with her feeling unsafe. Lets get to the issue. It’s time for us as parents/gaurdians to spend “quality” time with our children doing somethng constructive instead of letting our children watch and absorb television material that is meant for the adult viewer. I dont have any children so i’m not going to pretend like i know the time and energy it takes to raise one. However, I’ve seen parents sit their children in front of the tv so they can do other things and in my opinion that’s a problem. I remember turning the tv to Eddie Murphy’s Raw stand up comedy on HBO when i was a child and my father told me he did not want me to watch it due to the nature of the show. How many parents are REALLY controlling what their children are watching?

Be a role model to your children so these reality stars dont become one. And, if you’re an adult and you let these shows persuade you to act foolish then you have issues that run deeper than just watching trash tv. In the word of Jay-Z, “It’s Only Entertainment”.

By: Otto66

Otto66 — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:20:38 +0000

Tuesdays are for “C-I-C”. Always enjoy reading your posts and, so far, trolls don’t seem to be problem on this site. Just folks exchanging ideas. With the great job you did with “Dallas” and “Royal Pains” recently, any chance you’ll be writing about “Fringe” when it returns?

By: Linda B.

Linda B. — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:11:11 +0000

I admit to watching some reality tv; but that being said, h ow “real” can the show actually be? To me, if you are inclined toward this type of programing, watch the show knowing that some, if not all is scripted.