Previous: Department of Redundancy Department | Main Index | Next: Oh, and While I Was At It ...

A Victory for "Good" Reality Shows

Well, I know what you're thinking: The only "good" reality show is a cancelled reality show. But I've come to terms with the new "reality" of television. And I'm convinced now, more than ever, that the best thing I can do as a television consumer (and producer!) is to make sure I support the shows that are, in fact good; that challenge their audience; that are well thought-out and well executed.

Speaking of executed … that brings us to The Mole.

I love The Mole.

I love the cheesy techno spy music.

I love Anderson Cooper (but not that way, not that there’s anything wrong with that).

I love the fact that you can’t get voted out of the game by an alliance of morons.

I love the idea that if you’re smart enough, you can win.

And that’s what it comes down to, really: The Mole doesn’t insult my intelligence. Fear Factor does. Dog Eat Dog does. Meet My Folks does. These are games for idiots, played by idiots. The Mole is not.

That’s why I was super-happy (yes, super-happy) to find out that ABC has given the go-ahead to more Mole. This show was left for dead last fall, yanked from the schedule after stumbling out of the gate on its primo Friday night timeslot. (Here’s a hint: If your favorite show is scheduled for Friday night, don’t get too attached to it. It’s the TV graveyard.)

But The Mole made a big summer comeback, holding its own against American Idol on FOX. (And, thankfully, airing its finale just before American Idol started to pick up super-steam. That’s right, super-steam.)

Of course, for everything in TV there is a price, and the price of a new version of The Mole next summer is that we first must sit through a celebrity version, supposedly airing in January or March. Are there any good shows with “Celebrity” in the title? Even Celebrity Jeopardy has been pretty thoroughly deconstructed, thanks to Saturday Night Live.

In case you’re wondering what I consider “good” reality shows, the list so far includes The Mole, The Amazing Race, and Survivor. (Although having seen the heavily Southern cast of Survivor: Texas … I mean, Survivor: Thailand, I’m a little concerned. One Texan is “flavor.” Six Texans are a fight waiting to happen. We’ll see how it plays out.) Big Brother is what I consider a “guilty pleasure.”

Notice, too, that you can win at The Amazing Race by being smart. I don’t think smarts are going to help you too much on Fear Factor, otherwise, you wouldn’t end up on Fear Factor.

As for American Idol, I have to say two things:

1) You could walk in to any karaoke bar in Los Angeles on any night and find six more talented people than the four finalists and the two hosts.

2) I voted for Kelly Clarkson last night. Sue me.

Transmitted: 03:13 PM PST 08/21/2002

Comment:
feedback@REMOVEcolincampbell.net

mammals have visited Colin Campbell Web Pages, and you're one of them.
Privacy Policy
©2007 All Rights Reserved