Way overdue. The steaming crud that passes as high-ratings television is snicker-snacked by James Wolcott in the latest Vanity Fair.
In short (with comments):
Reality TV has lowered network property values. ...The mega-dosage of reality programming has lowered the lowest common denominator to pre-literacy.
(Noticeably.)
Reality TV has annihilated the classic documentary. ...They’re extinct, relics of the prehistoric past, back when television pretended to espouse civic ideals.
(I bet most viewers of "reality" TV believe "espouse" is a dirty word.)
Reality TV wages class warfare and promotes proletarian exploitation. ...The migrant camera fodder is often kept isolated, sleep-deprived, and alcoholically louche to render the subjects edgy and pliant and susceptible to fits.
(Does hate crimes legislation apply here?)
Reality TV has debased the time-honored art of bad acting. ...Eye-rollings. Dirty looks. Stick-figure Tinkertoy gestures. Incensed-mama head-waggings. Jaws dropped like drawbridges to convey stunned indignation.
(Psst! Remind you of George W. Bush's press secretaries?)
Emotionally, Reality TV is emaciated, envy and spite being the alternating currents. ...Nearly everyone conforms to crude, cartoon stereotype (bitch, gold digger, flamboyant gay, recovering addict, sofa spud, anal perfectionist, rageaholic)...
(Watched by whole populations of bloated sofa spuds, flag-huggers, wage-slaves, trailer trash, members of Congress, elitists, environmentalists, and evangelicals. By choice.)
Reality TV encourages and rewards vulgar, selfish, antisocial, pissy-pants behavior.
(Sure. But you're talking about "conservative" viewers. Humorous, generous, friendly Independents and Democrats also watch, remember.)
Reality TV gives voyeurism a dirty name.
(And Vanity Fair doesn't?)
