Curious what you all think of shows like Hoarders, Intervention, and What Would You Do.
On one hand I suppose they may help create some awareness around a few disorders/situations/societal dysfunctions/mental health issues/etc.
On the other hand (where I lean more heavily), I think they are sensationalized, contrived, and don't take into account the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
I think they pack in the BANG stuff - what draws viewers in via the gasp reflex. They may help us to feel like experts or like we are more involved/experienced than we actually are. Additionally, I think they present a polarized and overly simplistic view of complex situations/systems.
I'm a big fan of (boring?) information and prevention/harm reduction theory, and 'all things considered' conversations. I don't see a lot of that being transmitted. I think they increase misunderstanding and stigma...but hey...that's just my reaction.
Tee hee hee. Looks like I actually have big feelings about this.
How 'bout you? What are your thoughts? You don't have to agree with me! You can tell what shows are NOT on my netflix account queue! ;-)
ETA:
Right, that's exactly it. It's *TV*. But it's advertised as "Real life, real drama". I hope it's not being watched like it's an objective view into other's lives, and that it IS just TV (for profit).
Heh heh heh. Maybe I just take it all too seriously!
Don't get me wrong, I love trashy TV now and again. I just have a button on those ones.
Those shows are about ratings & shock value, not about actually helping people.
I detest most reality shows out there, to be honest. Not to mention the fact that most are not even based in reality, and are mostly scripted.
Not sure...
"Hoarders" has helped me to see that my parents' home is NOT just messy! They are borderline hoarders. It has helped me learn some things to do to help them (although I am still waiting for them to accept that help.)
"What Would you Do" --mmmm....I guess it has made me feel OK about speaking up when I see something that just doesn't seem quite right. I haven't HAD to yet, but I am much more confident about doing so than I used to be.
"Intervention" -- haven't seen it.
It's "TV" - it's SUPPOSED to be "drama" and "bang" if not - the media won't think you'll watch it...
I like Hoarders - it keeps me in check - does that make sense? When I feel my "piles" getting too high or the clutter getting out of hand - I watch Hoarders and know I will NOT end up like that...I can't. My husband is a pack rat, thank God - not a hoarder - but sometimes!! :) so I get ideas on how to help him get rid of stuff...as well as my kids...as to Intervention - don't watch it.
What would you do? It's nice to know that people are paying attention and helping people out. all is not lost in our horrible world!! I love to see customers sticking up for an employee or the other way around...I don't watch it every time - but I do watch it if I'm home....
Other than that - I don't watch "reality" shows....maybe the Bachelor/ette - they just crack me up!!! :)
I don't watch TV, we don't have it in our house.
There is evidence that shows that watching these types of shows on TV, or watching hours of sensationalized "news", changes our perception of reality. For example, many of us believe our world is more dangerous than ever, when the reality is that our crime rate is the lowest in decades, and children are safer and have less chance of death than ever in our history. When we watch many, many instances of violence or mental illness on TV, it alters our brains and our thoughts and beliefs.
I don;t watch reality tv. I have not seen these shows.
We do watch American Pickers and Pawn Stars, they piss me off enough.
My hubby watches cop dramas on USA. Those I can't stand.
I don't tend to watch those shows because I prefer mental stimulation, on the flip side of that my daughter loves to watch them as a mindless wind down.
I get the feeling, speaking to her, no one believes for a second those shows are meant to clarify the mental conditions they put out there. I believe the premise of the show is well my life isn't that bad.
I guess from my view on the sidelines it seems harmless since no one takes it as anything more than entertainment.
Having said that I can't help but see a few armchair psychologists answering questions here about hoarders and other maladies. So maybe I am wrong that everyone keeps these shows in perspective, ya know, entertainment. :(
Lord now I will be thinking about this next time she is home from college and I am forced to watch them again.
What does the real housewives of everywhere tell us?
I've only watched Hoarders and find it fascinating. I just can't understand it on any level. I wouldn't describe it quite like you have, though. It's made me go through my house, in every nook and cranny, and clean it and organize it so nicely! hehe. I'm at the end of pregnancy, so watching Hoarders about killed me since I couldn't clean their houses, which is why my house has gotten super cleaned. Anyway, I have no idea if that answers your question at all. I don't even know what the other shows are about and have no clue what to say about them.
We watch very little TV - mainly because we dislike "reality" TV. The only redeeming quality that I find in "Hoarders" is the after care funds that they provide for those who participate in the show. That, at least, is a long term solution to the 30 minute sensationalized episode they earn big $$ from airing.
I find most TV to be akin to watching a train wreck in slow motion - sometimes you are morbidly fascinated by the horror, but mostly you are just horrified.
Add in the fact, that many of the so called "Reality" shows are very carefully staged and crafted to create "drama" - so they are not very real after all.
We opt for sci fi mostly - Eureka, Wharehouse 13, Dr. Who, and British comedies are also popular with my son and me.
If I thought reality shows were really creating social awareness and changing participants lives, I may be more for them. But, I would rather watch a documentary.
Nice question Ephie, thank you.
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I like watching Hoarders. I suppose it makes me feel better about my own disorganized house because at least mine isn't at the flattened cat disaster level. I learned a few things from it to deal with my in-laws when they were moving to a smaller house, especially that it's hard to help people who don't want to be helped.
I think they are showing it's a mental illness that prevents people from making good decisions. On the other hand, they don't really show how many hours of therapy and slow hard work it really takes to overcome. A recent episode I saw was interesting because it showed a teen with just a messy room(not a whole house) and they had her take a tour of another hoarder's house who had been on the show before to motivate her.
I cringe when I see shows like What Would You Do(or Pranked or Candid Camera). I leave the room if my husband is watching it. I'm not against the idea of doing a study to find out why people act the way they do, but I do not enjoy watching people being embarrassed.
They are a glimpse into these people's lives but it's not just a camera and boom mic guy following them around - they also have a producer -- someone whose job it is to make the show worth watching. I have no doubt they create situations to further "enhance" the situation.
Hoarding is part of the OCD complex. Two years ago while my brother was in hospital I reorganized his kitchen and his bathroom. While the floor was covered and nothing thrown away (he throws away food scraps and some things) the basic order in the cabinets was exactly as I had put it together.
This time I did his bedroom completely and spoke with him about the hoarder syndrome.
What I noticed is that he can't think of how to organize and once it's done for him he'll follow the order.
It's a crack in the decision making process.
As for the shows they tell the situation but not how to help the person come to grips with their problem.
Actually aside from a few drama shows and comedy I have given up on TV other than public television.
Hoarders is "feel good" tv, right? We can watch it and say, Hey at least I don't have THAT much junk. :)
You didn't mention it, but Bridezilla is another one that I can't stand. I have only watched commercials and I always think the producers must tell them to behave as ridiculous as possible or they won't make the cut. Seriously, do people really act like that??? My husband would have said, "See ya! I'm outta here!" Wouldn't most men?
The only reality tv I watch is the Amazing Race. Love it! :)
The show on ABC 'What would you do' is a wake up call to Americans who sit back on their a*$ and do nothing when they should be defending the stranger who is in a tangle. We Americans are so wrapped up in our own lives, and as the show demonstratess - we do not a damn thing when a child is being abused or an adult. There are a very small handful that actually DO come to the aid of the actor being portrayed as the victim. This show actually has helped people change their attitudes about becoming involved, and letting them know it is their responsibility to do so. So the truth is - this show is needed because this society has become so self-centered.
