To say if you don't like reality TV you don't GET it

[MissBax]

Obviously lighthearted, and just for the record - I used to think things like TOWIE / Love Island / MIC etc were utter drivel and would have been disgusted by them.

However, I have realised that I was always going at them from the wrong angle. Now, I don't love them despite the trashiness, I love them because of the trashiness.

Once I let go of my snobby pants I was able to fully get stuck in and now think they are actually genius television. It is people watching in its absolute glory!

Can you tell I'm ecstatic that Love Island is back?? 😂

I love reality TV much to the dismay of my oh. I always tell him that after a long day I just want to watch something light hearted and trashy that doesn't require me to think too much!

Oh and bake of!! And the apprentice

There is nothing wrong with trash telly but we need to not try and justify it as something it isn't it is false fake and superficial

redexpat

I'm exactly the same - I have a demanding job, which can be very tough, and work long hours. It's great to watch something so trashy and lighthearted to totally zone out.

They aren't the sort of people that I'd want to hang around with in real life so why would I want to watch them on my tv?
Because you end up finding redeeming qualities in them, I actually think it's good for the soul to find people you would normally choose to not associate with, endearing.

I don't care about the trashiness but I hate watching a load of people arguing which is what reality TV seems to be about most of the time. It's so dull. Big brother used to be funny when everyone got pissed most of the time and mucked around but when the arguments started I turned off. I find it strange how people love to watch arguing. It does my head in.

Although I do like Gogglebox!

I really don’t care what anyone thinks. I don’t watch those programmes- or talent shows, dancing shows etc etc. I’m not in the slightest bit interested in them.

To "get it " I'd have to watch it.
Never going to happen.

It isn’t even “reality” TV though

All these people are scouted from other places. I know someone who went on BB. He was offered love island or BB.

The whole thing is scripted and manipulated by the production company.

If they genuinely stuck 20 random strangers in a house/island together and left them to it I’d be a lot more interested.

100% agree! The people watching is amazing, from police interceptors to come dine/ four in a bed, to towie/ love island ... I just love watching humanity in all its glory!

When I lived abroad and felt homesick and missed English people and English sense of humour I’d watch TOWIE or come dine etc

I'm quite happy to spend my tv watching time flicking channels straight past most reality programs like TOWIE, etc, with over 500 programs to choose from i can usually find something else to watch

Yes it's nice to sneer at the dregs of society from the comfort of your own living room!

Op you don't understand in what way reality television is exploitation? Do you know what a "freakshow" was historically? It's that but with bigger tits and lower moral standards.

As an adult I say watch what you want. It’s not for me and I don’t GET the appeal as there’s so much better TV that I don’t even have time for.

However, my concern is when children are watching. Many of DD’s friends (10-12) watch Love Island. I don't think it’s good for them to be see these sort of relationships as normal or anything to aspire to.

It’s not the sex content as many already know about that at this age. Just that it sells this type of relationship as something to aim for, with all its mind games and falseness.

So as an adult, if cheesy crap is your thing then fill your boots. I don’t think we should be inferring to children that this is an example of how to behave.

I like a bit of trash. I'm currently binge-watching desparate housewives.
I don't like reality TV because I can't see how those people who participate can possibly go on to lead rewarding lives afterwards and have fulfilling careers. There's enough people in my life to feel sorry for. I don't need to add to the list.
I'd rather do some gardening or read a book, or sew or something. Go on a walk. Birdwatching.

I don't get any joy out of meanness. I don't like comedians who make unkind comments either. It just upsets me.

its an unrealistic representation of men and women. all straight teeth and perma tan. I would sooner dig my own eyes out that watch rubbish like this. I cringe every time it gets a mention.

it isn't about getting it. its about having a bit more in your life than wasting it on drivel. Turn it off Op, go for a walk, join a club, go to a quiz evening or music night in your local pub. live a real life.

The first UK big brother, I did watch. Anna Nolan seemed like a wonderful person and I felt like the format allowed her, and others, to express themselves and work out how to get along together. The fact it's changed so much in less than 2 decades is giving me pause.

I like CDWM mainly because of the sarky voiceover, and Gogglebox is strangely relaxing. The others are in the main so tedious I can’t bear more than 10 minutes of them. Honestly, I started off absolutely loving reality tv (was obsessed with first BB despite them seeming to spend most of their time reading) but the older I get the less patience I have with people being paid to be utter pillocks.

Hang on, because I think it's shite, that means I'm a snob?

I hate these shows because they're boring and not in any way 'real'. If they were they'd be documentaries.

I love reality TV such as Come Dine With Me or Four In A Bed, but can't stand to watch the air headed, you've been Tangoed, vacuous drivel stuff like Love Island or TOWIE.
Happy not to get it, I'd lose even more brain cells watching that garbage

Reality tv bores me. I come from a huge family, just keeping up with more than half of them is sensational enough.

I don't get it and am perfectly happy with that.

We rarely watch tv though, prefer Amazon prime for films and boxsets that we can watch at convenience.

YABU

If my life is so dull I need to get entertainment from watching people I don't know being utter knobheads then please shoot me.

I don't watch Reality TV because I've known too many people go through drama school and be unable to get work in TV because the schedules are full of 'real people' (ie, cheap, not paid Equity rates).

There are people who work really hard and train to be actors, but they are being overlooked for a bunch of people who get their tits out for the cameras.

I don't get it.

I get that you and others watch it because it is trashy TV, but for me:

1. its boring
2. the people on it are boring
3. did I mention it is boring?
4. it is one hour of my life that I can never get back and would rather spend doing something, well, interesting
5. Who wants to watch stupid people being, well, stupid.
6. while it is really funny to laugh at people because they are idiots, funnily enough I don't feel good doing that.
7. I think it encourages people to do things and behave in ways that they wouldn't normally and I don't want to be party to that.

Give me a good story line, meaty drama or an interesting documentary any day.

Yes it's nice to sneer at the dregs of society from the comfort of your own living room!

Op you don't understand in what way reality television is exploitation? Do you know what a "freakshow" was historically? It's that but with bigger tits and lower moral standards.

Haha, you do realise how snobby that comes across. They are grown consenting adults, they aren't thick degenerates. One of the Love Island guys is a doctor, they aren't "dregs of society".

Again, to suggest they have no moral standards and are incapable of making adult decisions shows exactly my point - you don't get it!