If you have any doubt that producer's don't 100% manipulate reality TV shows, look no further than the second episode of The Bachelor this week. How many times did we the audience here about Bachelor contestant Emily's Maynard's story about finding out she was pregnant a week after the love of her life died in a plane c rash?
Well let's count. Considering there's only been two episodes in total. The tragic love story has probably been told over 5 times. The intense repetition brings us so close to the story that by the time Emily actually reveals the story to Brad (The Bachelor), the audience feels as though they too lost the love's of their lives in a plane crash. And hey, perhaps some audience members have, but statistically speaking most have not.
They featured the story at the beginning of first episode, then throughout that episode about two more times. In the second episode, with teary eyes, Emily tells her fellow contestants the story again. This scene is referred to as a PWDS, or Producer's Wet Dream Scene #1. The PWDS #2 was when she revealed the story to Brad.
So knowing this and considering all the one-on-one dates the Bachelor goes on, is it any wonder why show producers would organize his date with Emily to include a private jet ride?
It's cruel, but a terrific story element. We know why she's nervous, but Brad doesn't. Brilliant build-up for the reveal to Brad.
The upside is that if she's anything like she comes across on TV (a cute southern bell who’s down to earth but lacking of self-awareness), she probably didn't even see the connection.
And if she doesn’t figure it out and instead thinks it was just gosh darn coincidence that she ended up on the date involving a small plane, when then gee whiz them producers did some golly good casting.
“Golly that’s a strange coincidence!” She may think."Out of all the dates Brad get's to go on, he chooses one that involves a plane ride without even knowing my story. This is fate. and I'm going to make-out with him."
And then she did. And it was a great PWDS #3 for the second episode of the Bachelor.
Showing posts with label celebrity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label celebrity. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Reward Yourself With Some Reality.
I used to be embarrassed about relishing your typical reality dating show but since working in the belly of the beast itself I seem to enjoy it on another more complex and intellectual level.
Who the #$% am I kidding I've always loved reality dating shows, long long before I started working for one.
They just make you feel so much better about yourself. They even give you a set of standards that you didn't even know you had. Because as much you may have wished you slept with Charlie Sheen in the 80s, you know it's just not worth the potential risk of becoming an illiterate crack addict who talks to parrots.
However with Heidi Fleiss gone, Celebrity Rehab isn't the same. So I've turned my attention to more deserving shows such as The Bachelor Season 15. I found last season's bachelor so deliciously over the top I couldn't wait to see how they were going to up the ante this time.
Oh ye have little faith. Not only is the flock of whores whorier, but also some brilliant producer came up with the idea to bring back a former bachelor from a previous season. But he's not just any bachelor from any season; he's Brad Womack. The guy who broke two woman's hearts on the show’s 11th season and left The Bachelor, the same way he came in, namely, a bachelor.
We reality TV junkies live and breathe for these insta-story lines. Will he do the same thing again? Will he pick someone for the sake of not doing the same thing twice?
Will fans (present company included) be able to continue to convince themselves the show is not merely a vehicle for struggling models and actors to catch a break and in fact a viable way for two people with above average looks and below average intelligence to fall in love?
Given the choice, I pick the latter. Because let's face it, if I don't, then I'm readily admitting that I’m choosing to watch a regular TV show with horrific acting and a painstakingly redundant, boring and poorly written script.
Reality TV exists because we watch it, making us no better then the people who choose to be on those shows. Except of course if you've managed not to become a drug addled former hooker who talks to parrots. You're definitely better than that person or anyone who resembling that person.
So I say feel good about not being a crack addict. Or If you are a crack addict, feel good you don’t talk to parrots, and reward yourself by watching The 15th season of The Bachelor because it's hot damn that show is entertaining.
Who the #$% am I kidding I've always loved reality dating shows, long long before I started working for one.
They just make you feel so much better about yourself. They even give you a set of standards that you didn't even know you had. Because as much you may have wished you slept with Charlie Sheen in the 80s, you know it's just not worth the potential risk of becoming an illiterate crack addict who talks to parrots.
However with Heidi Fleiss gone, Celebrity Rehab isn't the same. So I've turned my attention to more deserving shows such as The Bachelor Season 15. I found last season's bachelor so deliciously over the top I couldn't wait to see how they were going to up the ante this time.
Oh ye have little faith. Not only is the flock of whores whorier, but also some brilliant producer came up with the idea to bring back a former bachelor from a previous season. But he's not just any bachelor from any season; he's Brad Womack. The guy who broke two woman's hearts on the show’s 11th season and left The Bachelor, the same way he came in, namely, a bachelor.
We reality TV junkies live and breathe for these insta-story lines. Will he do the same thing again? Will he pick someone for the sake of not doing the same thing twice?
Will fans (present company included) be able to continue to convince themselves the show is not merely a vehicle for struggling models and actors to catch a break and in fact a viable way for two people with above average looks and below average intelligence to fall in love?
Given the choice, I pick the latter. Because let's face it, if I don't, then I'm readily admitting that I’m choosing to watch a regular TV show with horrific acting and a painstakingly redundant, boring and poorly written script.
Reality TV exists because we watch it, making us no better then the people who choose to be on those shows. Except of course if you've managed not to become a drug addled former hooker who talks to parrots. You're definitely better than that person or anyone who resembling that person.
So I say feel good about not being a crack addict. Or If you are a crack addict, feel good you don’t talk to parrots, and reward yourself by watching The 15th season of The Bachelor because it's hot damn that show is entertaining.
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