Yes, I watch Reality TV

[shereads]

I happened upon a reality show called Taxi Cab Confessions and found it incredibly moving.

Simple set-up: a camera aimed at the passenger seat of a taxi cab. The driver, in the manner of a bartender, gets his passengers talking about their lives and elicits some heartbreaking moments.

The episode I remember best was shot in Las Vegas, late one night. One of the taxi passengers was a jaded young boy, maybe 12 or 13, who was out at 3 a.m. on an errand for his father.

The driver asked what he was doing out so late, and the boy spilled out a story of such pain and bitterness, I couldn't help thinking he'll be in jail before he's through puberty. Abandonment by his mother who was beaten by his father "but deserved it" because she was "always whoring around;" the new stepmother, and a younger stepbrother the boy hates - and fantasizes about killing.

I've only seen Taxi Cab Confessions a couple of times. Not even sure what network it's on - Bravo? - but someone in the AH told me it had been featured in an episode of The Simpsons. Just like Isabella Rosellini.



Ergo, Taxi Cab Confessions is not just a reality show. It is pop culture history.

 

[3113]

1) Fresh corn silks must be refrigerated in order to stay looking like a beautiful green dress and not a shrivelly thing. Austin Scarlett learned that the hard way.....
6) You can say pretty much anything you want as long as you're willing to be seen as an infidel of the social realm (party down, woo!).
7) It's not easy hosting the Gay Porn Awards.
8) Some male hairdressers really are straight. Really.

See? Such wisdom one can learn from Reality shows. How else would you ever know these things? Especially about corn-husk dresses?

 

[3113]

-My partner and I wouldn't make it to the first Pit Stop on the Amazing Race (we can't even build Ikea furniture together ... you expect us to drive a Yak cart acrosss the Russian Steppes?)

LOL! My partner and I wouldn't even enter the race if that was the challenge. We'd take a cab and go have tea at a nice Russian Tea room instead. Maybe have some blintzes and caviar

 

[Le Jacquelope]

I watch America's Next Top Model.

I love it. The girls are so catty and Ms. Jay such a witty drag queen that I can't resist.

I got Abs hooked on it while she was here.

Beauty & The Geek is another favorite, except that its hard to imagine girls so fucking stupid sometimes.

Pickup Artist and Beauty & The Geek here. I just can't believe what happens in Beauty & The Geek - I can never seem to convince myself that people on the opposite side of that pair of train tracks can ever get to like each other.

 

[Le Jacquelope]

I hate to admit that I did watch a handful of episodes of Miami Ink. Notably, the ones where Kat Von D was 'fired' from the shop. Now, ironically, she has her own spin-off show. I'm sure that her firing from Miami Ink wasn't staged to set up the new show. Yeah, I was being sarcastic about that last part.

True. She did move cross country to LA to start her own shop.</trivia>

I can't wait until she's 60. This will be fun.

 

[flavortang]

I've seen the promos for that show Cheaters which is one notch over Jerry Springer, which isn't saying much.

Apparently, the people on Cheaters like to fool around in their houses/apartments by open windows or windows whose venetian blinds are pulled all the way up to where the video cameras can plainly see what's going on. I'm sure that's not staged, either. ;P

 

[alyxen]

Project Runway, Top Chef, and Ninja Warrior. The latter is on G4 here in the US, and not sure what channel in Japan.

I try hard not to learn anything from TV. It's a life goal.

 

[curiositykitten]

I detest shows like Survivor and especially Fear Factor and swore I'd never be a reality tv fan! But I have to admit I LOVE Top Chef, Project Runway, Top Model and recently discovered Iron Chef. Now I'M AN ADDICT! (But I do cook more than I used to and have picked up my crafts again, so maybe it's not a bad influence.

 

[alyxen]

I detest shows like Survivor and especially Fear Factor and swore I'd never be a reality tv fan! But I have to admit I LOVE Top Chef, Project Runway, Top Model and recently discovered Iron Chef. Now I'M AN ADDICT! (But I do cook more than I used to and have picked up my crafts again, so maybe it's not a bad influence.

I'm assuming you only watch the American version of Iron Chef? The original Japanese show is run on some stations out here in LA and is great. Although I love the Alton Brown naration of the American Version. His show is great too, and I also forgot to add Mythbusters and Dirty Jobs and Ice Road Truckers. The latter 3 I actually DO learn from heh.

 

[curiositykitten]

I'm assuming you only watch the American version of Iron Chef? .

You assume correctly - haven't seen any other available here in VA.

 

[Edward Teach]

I've only seen Taxi Cab Confessions a couple of times. Not even sure what network it's on - Bravo? - but someone in the AH told me it had been featured in an episode of The Simpsons. Just like Isabella Rosellini.



Ergo, Taxi Cab Confessions is not just a reality show. It is pop culture history.

Taxi Cab Confessions is on HBO, I believe. It's very good and appears to not be staged. I try to catch every episode.

 

[bluebell]

Shuffleboard and falsies

I know, we're talking TV here. Just thought I'd throw you a movie reference, because, well, you know.

Because we're cosmic movie twins.
Jeliza-Rose!!!
(By the way, have you seen the website for Tideland? It's creepy-cool Gilliam-ness.)

I haven't seen Big Brother since the 16th season. I keep waiting for the geriatric all star special edition.

That'll be excellent. What with the hurling of false, clackety, spitty teeth and the casual fumbles over strategically-placed walkers, followed by the inevitable broken hips. The electric ramp up into the hot tub...

See? Such wisdom one can learn from Reality shows. How else would you ever know these things? Especially about corn-husk dresses?

My life would be sadly remiss.
I would have no way of knowing how to make a corn husk dress should I ever find myself naked in a corn field!
Oh, the deep pain.

 

[tickledkitty]

Okay, here is my guilty confession. "Flavor of Love" both seasons. I loved it. I dig my man, Flav.

Then "I Love New York." Do you love New York? It's a love/hate thing with me. I can't stand the woman, but can't seem to shut her off either. And her mother. *shiver* I was glad to see it didn't work out with her and that guy. The chosen one...er, whatshisname. So, she'll be back. Was there ever any doubt?

Here's the one I hate to admit, but I had to watch it since I was already in so far. "Charm School." Oh yeah. You go, Mo'.

 

[jomar]

Because we're cosmic movie twins.
Jeliza-Rose!!!
(By the way, have you seen the website for Tideland? It's creepy-cool Gilliam-ness.)

Eggzackly!

She was awesome. And creepy-cool is right. I had to turn down the eerie music.



Others have mentioned some shows I forgot - I seem to go in phases.

Miami Ink is cool. Now they have an LA Ink - even more hot chicks with tattoos!

Taxicab Confessions. I have to rank this as the number one reality show for me. Absolutely fascinating.

Then some of the HGTV shows when I'm in a fixer-upper mood. Allows me to procrastinate while doing "research."

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I used to watch the Apprentice, but only after weeding out the first half of the aplicants (my schedule hasn't lined up with it the last season or two though). Those people are so much more cut-throat than anyone I would ever associate with. Watching them tear at each other's dignity is just entertaining.

I have also enjoyed Hells Kitchen. Chef Ramsey is such a dick, but funny as all hell sometimes, and helpful at others when people actually start listening to what he is telling them.

 

[3113]

And her mother. *shiver*

Ah, Yes. A very valuable lesson to be learned there. When next you think on life with your mother, consider what it could have been like if you'd had New York's mom.

Your own mom doesn't seem so bad now, does she?

In fact, all those shows "Flavor of Love," "New York" and "Charm School" are sure to make one grateful for the life they have and who they are; it certainly made me reassess myself. I don't have to strip to feed the kids, my friends don't think I'm a whore or a bitch (and I don't think they are, come to that), I don't spit on people I disagree with (usually) or curse them out or attack them, and I've never had any desire to marry a rapper.

I'm in pretty good shape

 

[tickledkitty]

Ah, Yes. A very valuable lesson to be learned there. When next you think on life with your mother, consider what it could have been like if you'd had New York's mom.

Your own mom doesn't seem so bad now, does she?

In fact, all those shows "Flavor of Love," "New York" and "Charm School" are sure to make one grateful for the life they have and who they are; it certainly made me reassess myself. I don't have to strip to feed the kids, my friends don't think I'm a whore or a bitch (and I don't think they are, come to that), I don't spit on people I disagree with (usually) or curse them out or attack them, and I've never had any desire to marry a rapper.

I'm in pretty good shape

You're right, of course. Maybe that's why we like them? Because then we can feel smug and "normal."

 

[tickledkitty]

Oh, i forgot one. This is sooo bad. "Scott Baio is 45 and Single."

Personally, I think Scott Baio is a hottie. Okay, he's Chachi, for God's sake and Charles. But, damn, he is very cute. So, I was easily sucked in on this one.

The funny thing is, I rarely watch TV. So how am I seeing all these reality shows???

 

[Guest]

I missed all but the last episode of the first Survivor and have not missed one since. I am already in mourning because it seems there will be no more after the 12th..

This show actually reinforces my spiritual beliefs in both myself and people in general.

I enjoy Iron Chef - both of them. Gene Simmons..

 

[RogueLurker]

I happened upon a reality show called Taxi Cab Confessions and found it incredibly moving.

Simple set-up: a camera aimed at the passenger seat of a taxi cab. The driver, in the manner of a bartender, gets his passengers talking about their lives and elicits some heartbreaking moments.

The episode I remember best was shot in Las Vegas, late one night. One of the taxi passengers was a jaded young boy, maybe 12 or 13, who was out at 3 a.m. on an errand for his father.

The driver asked what he was doing out so late, and the boy spilled out a story of such pain and bitterness, I couldn't help thinking he'll be in jail before he's through puberty. Abandonment by his mother who was beaten by his father "but deserved it" because she was "always whoring around;" the new stepmother, and a younger stepbrother the boy hates - and fantasizes about killing.

I've only seen Taxi Cab Confessions a couple of times. Not even sure what network it's on - Bravo? - but someone in the AH told me it had been featured in an episode of The Simpsons. Just like Isabella Rosellini.



Ergo, Taxi Cab Confessions is not just a reality show. It is pop culture history.

oh .. I forgot about this one. I've seen a few of them as well (It was either on Bravo or Showcase ... I get the two mixed up). They would rotate the cities that the cabs were set up in, but I remembered the the Vegas ones were some of the most poignant - and there was one in New York where a young dyke was bound and determined to pick up the driver.

Taxi Cab Confessions is true "reality tv" - the passengers don't now that they are being taped until its over (and they sign the waiver) so its raw and real. I think i could only watch it in small doses.

 

[RogueLurker]

LOL! My partner and I wouldn't even enter the race if that was the challenge. We'd take a cab and go have tea at a nice Russian Tea room instead. Maybe have some blintzes and caviar

careful with the caviar ... I'm pretty sure there was an Amazing Race challenge where they had to eat a pound of caviar or something equally horrific.

 

[SlickTony]

Eggzackly!

She was awesome. And creepy-cool is right. I had to turn down the eerie music.



Others have mentioned some shows I forgot - I seem to go in phases.

Miami Ink is cool. Now they have an LA Ink - even more hot chicks with tattoos!

Taxicab Confessions. I have to rank this as the number one reality show for me. Absolutely fascinating.

Then some of the HGTV shows when I'm in a fixer-upper mood. Allows me to procrastinate while doing "research."

Oh, I forgot about Miami Ink! I don't think of it as being in the same category as those others. I don't get to watch it very often but I loved it. I think stories behind tattoos is a great concept. I've got 3, myself, which was why I was intrigued by it, but I think back then I only had the one.

 

[only_more_so]

Actually, thinking about it I have to divide reality shows into two categories. The pseudo-documentary type, that follow a real person as they do their work, and the shows like survivor where "normal" people are put into situations and allowed to interact with each other.

Miami Ink, Orange County Choppers, etc. would fall into the first category, and I find that I can watch them on occasion.

The others, I just can't watch.

 

[jomar]

I missed all but the last episode of the first Survivor and have not missed one since. I am already in mourning because it seems there will be no more after the 12th..

This show actually reinforces my spiritual beliefs in both myself and people in general.

What??? Say it ain't so!

 

[shereads]

Taxi Cab Confessions is on HBO, I believe. It's very good and appears to not be staged. I try to catch every episode.

I don't have HBO. Could it be on Bravo? Or have I been stealing premium channels in my sleep?

Question: how do you suppose they go about getting releases from all these people? They aren't contestants on a game show; they're people caught off-guard, confessing painful pasts, shady presents and less-than-pure plans for the future. I'm sure the footage can't be used without their permission. But how?

The boy on the Las Vegas episode, in particular - even if he was older than he looked - must have needed a parent's signature. Asking your dad to sign your report card is one thing; but asking for his permission to broadcast your fantasy murder plans for his new wife and kid? Ouch.

----

Edited to add: I just realized, "They get paid. That explains it."