I apologize to those who enjoy the shows ('Bachelor', 'Bachellorette', 'Married by America', etc.) but I am really disguisted by these programs. Does the media think so little of marriage that it uses it to get ratings? Also, these people who participate: are they that desperate or just looking for their 15 minutes of fame?
I realize they are popular (the rating are through the roof). However, I feel these shows make a mockery of marriage. To me, marriage is precious and should not be exploited for entertainment purposes.
I hope no-one gets made at me for this, I don't mean to offend anyone, this has just been bugging me!
Suzanne
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Re: Reality/Marriage TV
Mary, I AGREE with you 100%, i can NOT believe they actually aired that STUPID show married by america.. I think its demeaning to all married people everywhere.
Im sure the ratings will be through the roof too, which really makes me mad!
Claud2001
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Re: Reality/Marriage TV
No offense taken! I agree with you, although I do admit to watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette show b/c the entertainment value is appealing (for some unknown and sick reason).
februarybride
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I'm hooked on these shows! But I agree with you 100%. I think these people are on these shows to try to further/start a career in show biz. I mean look at Trista -- she's everywhere now! And Evan from Joe Millionaire - same thing! Funny guy Bob was on Oprah 2x and so was Jamie. Although I like Bob and Jamie - this may not have been intentional on their part - but good for them!
I caught the last few minutes of Married by America last night -- I may tune in next week to see the final decisions....
Kel
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Re: Reality/Marriage TV
I was just saying to my husband last night that a show like Married by America really seems to me to give out an impression that marriage can be taken lightly .. I mean .. the 'contestants' have probably figured they can simply get a divorce if it doesn't work out.
shelzyp
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I am also disguested by these shows, I watched the bachloer, and Joe Millionaire, but how can you meet someone in these false pretenses and want to marry them, the people that go on these shows are as dillusional as the creators. I started watching the Bachelor, becaseu I was fascinated at how crazy these women are!!! I watched to see whaich one would flip next week.
anna
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I totally agree, and of course Im also one of the ones watching too !
The whole concept of 'committing' to someone youve never met is pathetic. and then the family members are on this power trip. They feel that they are in the position to put down any candidate just for a bad answer they gave or maybe because they appeared nervous or reserved. I love the ones that have an answer right back - like the girl who responded 'he doesnt know me - i'll mow HIM down ! ' (the mom told the girl she was too 'Sweet' and that the son would 'mow her down') what the hell is that about ??? And then the father of the little primadonna, how he said to that guy (last week) that his daughter wouldnt like the way the guy dressed ???!!! God if i were on that stage ! Its really pathetic that these people are subjecting themselves to this. Standing on a round little pedestal and being analyzed, word for word, movement for movement, and WAMMO, you sneezed, my son doesnt like sick people (just exaggerating it here ).
I think alot of the ones that are not chosen are actually MUCH BETTER OFF. They should be thanking their heavens for not being part of those obnoxious families.
Hey - why dont they hook up the 'losers' ????
ddunne23
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Re: Reality/Marriage TV
It is the most pathetic concept to me! If these people are America's Top single men and women and have everything going for them...like looks, success, job, etc...they why the heck do they have to go on national TV to find a boyfriend/girlfriend. Something is definately amiss! JMO!
HeatherandNick
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Re: Reality/Marriage TV
I'll admit to watching the Bachelorette, Joe Millionaire and of course American Idol, however, the whole concept of reality TV has gone to far. I feel like that is all that is on TV right now. Even though I watched the above, I could not bring myself to watch Married By America.the whole idea just seemed terrible.
I like the bachelor/ette...and joe millioraire was intriguing for obvious reasons...but I don't think marriage is the objective...like marriage in america...
I tried to watch it, but I couldn't get into it...
I enjoy watching people freaking out...when its not really scripted...does that make me a sadist?
ChristineC68
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Re: Reality/Marriage TV
I haven't watched too much of these shows, but it seems people participate for their 15 minutes of fame, or maybe even longer.
Aside from the Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire debacle, marraige is not the required outcome which is good, relatively speaking.
I just don't understand why people would take something so personal as falling in love with someone from a pool of candidates on national TV. And then subsequently, have your relationship become newsworthy?
But as long as they keep coming up with these shows and people keep watching them, I am sure they will be here for a long time. I read somewhere that it costs less to produce one of these shows in it's entirety then to produce one episode of friends.
Mary
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Re: Reality/Marriage TV
Honestly, Rich and I are Reality TV Junkies. I admit, we watch Survivor and American Idol religously. But, those shows are competitions for prizes ($$, recording contract) and not a spouse. Believe me when I say that I love my husband dearly, but there are days when the last thing I'd call him was a 'prize.' (Reference made to my earlier post under 'Chores.')
chmpgnrose
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Re: Reality/Marriage TV
Mary, I agree with you 100%. Marriage is a sacrament, very precious and a serious committment. This is purely exploitation! DH was watching partial of 'Married By America' show when I was so disgusted at the whole concept of the show. How can the entertainment industry exploit such a serious, precious sacrament/committment? How can you meet your future mate on TV and engaged for 5 episoes and then marry him/her on national TV? Is this pure love? This is total strangers who were match by millions of strangers, that is not love nor is it any sign of potential love.
At least 'Joe Millionaire' was about dating not marriage. The entertainment industry will go far and wide to get ratings to the ceiling exploiting any genre to make money. It's also sweeps week and the hottest trend in the entertainment industry is now reality shows particualarly in the dating/marriage area.
I too apologize to those who enjoy these reality shows, but every individual is entitled to their opionion and I have mine.
Diane
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I couldnt watch Married to America...or whatever it is called. It was HORRIBLE!!!!
Marriage is about LOVE and friendship. Are these people that PATHETIC that they cant find someone, or are they doing it to be on tv and to become some sort of celebrity. Most of the people on the show are rather good looking, and could find someone. The should be ashamed of themselves.
I would be so embarrassed to even think twice about ever appearing on a show like that
anna
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I'd rather do the date.com thing !
chmpgnrose
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How far is one willing to go to find that prefect someone? Moreover, how desperate are you to find that person when it's really an arranged marriage? Strangers matching strangers. How long will the marriage last?
dkga1026
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Re: Reality/Marriage TV
I agree that to some extent, these shows are an insult to marriage, but I don't take them too seriously. I mean, they are on because people like me (I am ashamed to admit) actually watch them! The networks wouldn't put them on if people weren't interested or stopped watching. But these shows actually get ratings. Honestly, I look at all these shows as entertainment, just like a sitcom. And, due to the fact that non-reality TV is so bad nowadays, the only thing to watch is the reality stuff.
