My basic ramblings. Read on if you like. I'm not generally concerned about being "PC" so if you're a crabby person...save yourself some stress. Don't read.
Does anyone really like this?
Published on May 16, 2004 By MisfitChicks In Misc
I'm watching Charmed on the WB...when an ad for their new series "Superstar" comes on. Basically the premise is this. They send all the people with talent home, and keep the less talented singers for amusement.
Since when did humilation become entertainment? Granted, pratfalls and the like have always been amusing, but at least the actors knew what was going on. Three Stooges (sp?) are an excellent example. Those guys knew what they were doing, if they looked silly..they intended to.
These poor people, have no idea what's going on. They honestly believe they are good. They have people telling them that, when it's obvious that it's all for a joke. Shows like this and Jamie Kennedy are disgusting. Scare Tactics isn't any better. I refuse to watch abuse.
Am I being uptight with this opinion? Is it really harmless? Is it really funny to some people? Have I become a harpy about something small? Or have I gotten close to a truth that in today's world, individual's feeling are ok to hurt and it's fine to make them look like fools if someone is making money on it?

Maybe I'm being too sensitive or empathic. But, I think it's wrong. Mean spirited. I seriously hope my children aren't watching this crap.

Ali
The Troubled Misfit Chick

Comments
on May 16, 2004
This sort of programming actually came ou o Asia. There has been a long standing tradition there of bringing up say a fat chick and making her do all sorts of humiliating things on stage and then giving her a dumb-ass prize liek a pig or something. Once the "reality" shows hit in the the USA I knew it wouldn't be long.
on May 16, 2004
what about that guy from American Idol... ummm something Hong? He's really terrible but he's a total celebrity now. He has a CD out!!??
on May 16, 2004
I know about William Hung. ( I don't know how he spells his last name). Poor guy. I feel sorry for him actually. I mean, yeah..he's found a way to live his dream, which is great. But at what cost?

As for the chick in Asia. I dare say she knew what was going on. Superstar offers no such option to it's participants. With recent backlash about indecency on the air, I worried that free speech was in danger as usual. But that kind of program really makes me angry, and I wonder where the saber rattlers are now. With all the hate in the world today, why are we/they "glamorizing" this type of show? It seems like cooperate sponsored bullying to me.
Maybe I'm just being too sensitive and shouldn't even be talking about it, since I've already decided I'm not watching it and am going to refuse to allow it being played in this house.
I just can't help but feel a little angry about the treatment of the people. What program manager is running the WB these days? What made him think this was a great idea? Is this person so unhappy that making people the butt of a joke seemed like a great idea for good TV?

I know there are better words to describe what they are doing to these people. I just can't form them in my head right now. I'm that disbelieving that this is where the country is going. I'm sorry, I was just raised with some sort of manners and decorum. You don't treat people this way. Even if they aren't aware of what's going on, YOU are.
My mother used to say treat people as you'd like to be treated. I wonder if the producers of this show would like that to happen to them? I'm quite sure the answer would be no.
I love comedy as much as the next person. I'm a huge fan of Robin Williams. This Superstar show just doesn't seem at all funny to me.

You CAN tell me to shut up at any time. I'm probably over-reacting.