Posts tagged You win

So I’ll be honest with you, dear reader, I have been watching American Idol because I’m critical of other people. I’m very critical of myself so it’s not like I’m mean and believe in squashing other’s dreams… I only do that via text message to my close friends. Ha, joking… Anyway yes, I watch American Idol mainly to critique and have the hope of finding a singer who I might want to throw my support towards and hope they become famous. I tried it with Lee DeWyze and that kind of backfired on me so I’ve laid low for a while. I also watch American Idol because it’s a reality competition TV show. If you don’t know me, I am quite passionate about into reality competition shows (I’m looking for an Amazing Race partner, by the by) Project Runway, Top Chef, Survivor, Amazing Race, etc. those are all great. Back to American Idol… l am always torn about owning up to the fact that I watch American Idol because while I listen to Top 40 I do have a part of me that appreciates non-Top 40. No, no, no I’m not a music snob and I usually have to consult friends on what music to exactly listen to, but I’m getting better (blogs help tremendously). I’m also not one of those people who says, “Oh pfff I’ve been listening to (insert artist) for weeks/months/years and they’re finally getting noticed.” Okay, I’ve done it a few times but that’s because I like to argue (that’s for another post, another time).

Back to the question posed in the title of this entry, “Why do you watch Reality Competition TV?” I watch it because I: am naturally competitive, judge things (oh you judge too, you just don’t admit it), like to have something/somebody to root for, and I think it helps to have some sort of pop culture reference when meeting new people. It doesn’t always work but maybe 50% of the time it does…

I think America, I cannot speak for the rest of the world because I don’t live in the rest of the world, has become overly obsessed with competition reality television shows. Maybe because as a society we are competitive, want to show what we have, want to be discovered, want to win. I think a lot of it is because we want to win. Just think about the goal of every reality competition show- to win. There usually is money associated with a win, but you win! You’re the best chef, designer, singer, survivor, game player, whatever. There is also a respect of these people because they are daring to compete in front of people. They dare to not eat anything but bugs, rice and beans while having their lives taped. They dare to show people who they really are when they’re at their highs and lows. I sometimes look at these people and say, “Psh yeah I could totally do that.” But really? Really could I? Possibly, I don’t know I haven’t tried. To give credit where credit is due, this seems incredibly tough. But I do draw the line between enjoying watching competition reality TV and reality TV. Sure if I want to watch 16 year old girls go through pregnancy I could go somewhere in America to see it. If I wanted to watch people go out and drink and party and dance I could just go down to a bar (I admit it, I have watched episodes of both 16 & Pregnant and the Jersey Shore but not like I do with Reality Competition TV) But if I want to watch people compete against other people… well you get the gist. This is also probably a reason The Hunger Games has been so wildly popular.