Why FOX's reality TV sucks, but we need it (1467 hits)
Category: NoneRating: -0.22 on 16 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Spooner (View user info) at 2004-01-25 00:17:29 EST
First, let's state a few simple truths, widely believe by most all at Ubersite.
Reality TV - bad
Family Guy and 24 - good
One thing I have figured out though, and you may be shocked to hear this, is that without the Reality TV shows, there would be no 24,a nd there probably wouldn't be a return of Family Guy.
I noticed a trend over the last few years, linking reality TV with the production of good, quality TV shows. That at times when the amount of FOX's reality TV programming spikes, and for a short period of time they have an exceedingly large amount of reality TV, followed by a dip back to lower levels, it signals the coming of better shows.
This is because Reality TV has a high profit margin. FOX may not make as much advertising money on "The Simple Life" as it does on "The Simpsons," but in the end FOX ends up making more of a profit on "The SImple Life" because it doesn't cost NEAR as much to produce as any other sitcom or cartoon. Meaning that while these shows may not get the best ratings or make the most money, FOX nets more profit on these than any other shows.
The only reason FOX still has any sitcoms at all is because without them people wouldn't pay any attention to FOX at all. They want to keep SOME credibility here.
But I keep digressing from my point- FOX at times will have more reality programming than usual, reality programming that is slightly different than nomral. In these "spikes" you see reality shows that do not take long to film ("The Simple Life" and "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fianceé" both filmed in about 2 weeks, each) and do not stay on FOX's programming schedule for long, about 4-6 weeks shorter than any other reality show. Some of them only even air once, such as "Man Vs. Beat" or "The Glutton Bowl." The reason FOX does this is because they need some quick cash. They need cash and they need it quickly, hence, "quick cash."
But, this extra money generated by these "spike" reality shows is not to line their own pockets. They, and this is the good news people, use it to fund much more expensive endeavors FOX is currently undertaking.
So for any of you who are lost right now, here's a quick synopsis: Reality TV airing now = higher quality programming later.
A few years ago, you may remember, FOX aired "Man Vs. Beast," "The Glutton Bowl," "Love Cruise," and "Celebrity Boxing," and a few more, all around the same time. They were all short running series or one-time specials, which probably generated tons of cash for FOX. After they were done airing, FOX returned to it's normal amount of reality programming.
Then, not long after, FOX premiered three of it's most expensive (and some would say best) shows it has ever produced all at roughly the same time: "24," "John Doe," and "Fastlane." Now FOX executives could have paid for these shows out of their own pockets, but why would they when they could get quick revenue from short run reality shows to cover the bill? All the more proof that there's a method to FOX's madness. They're not trying to dick us over by shoving poor quality Reality TV down our throats, they're trying to help us and give us better shows. The ends jusity the means, and everything works out fine for us, the viewers. We endure this crap but in the end we're rewarded with television gold. Like eating your TV vegetables. You may not like it, but it pays off tenfold in the end.
And lately I've noticed another one of these spikes, already in progress and gaining speed. In the span of a few weeks FOX premiered "The Simple Life" and then "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fianceé," and news has reached loyal FOX viewers that plans are in the works for "Man Vs. Beast 2" and "When Animals Attract." This roughly a year before "Family Guy" (estimated production value per ep- 1.5 mil) is set to return and a new cartoon, "American Dad," is rumored to go into production. Could FOX be using increased reality TV revenues to pay for another wave of high-quality programming? Could "When Animals Attract" eventually result in one or more high-action shows that would rival "24?" Or the return of Family Guy? Or maybe something so awesome and expensive we couldn't even imagine it? If you ask me, yeah, and God bless FOX for it.
User Reviews
Submitted by youarsoghey (user info) at 2004-05-31 21:43:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Because I inadvertantly stole you post idea.
Submitted by MystiKasT (user info) at 2004-01-25 20:20:44 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
reality TV gets good ratings because its funny, i like it, some shows are stupid though
Submitted by Spooner (user info) at 2004-01-25 12:52:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Bah, I'll go back to posting funny-ish things tomorrow or whenever. I just watch a TON of TV, and I figured this thing out and wanted to see what other people thoughtabout my theory, and maybe give the loyal FOX viewers a hope for the future. I didn't intend it to be funny, I intended it to be... I want to say enlightening but I don't quite think a write-up on reality TV could ever be considered enlightening. Let's just go with "insightful."
Submitted by Mac (user info) at 2004-01-25 12:11:11 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
spooner,
what happened? Your last two posts were great, then this one just sort of fizzled out? It seems like you abandoned your whole comedic style for a commentary on how Fox gets it's revenue. You can do better than this. Just stick to your guns and keep your style and you'll do great here.
Submitted by Spooner (user info) at 2004-01-25 02:08:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
(And oh yeah, they cancelled John Doe awhile ago)
Submitted by Spooner (user info) at 2004-01-25 02:06:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
TV is great man, you just gotta know what to watch.
Submitted by canuckistan (user info) at 2004-01-25 01:58:49 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
Most television is mind numbing crap for crappy minds. I don't care how they fund it or line their pockets, it's mostly crappy contrived drivel. Thanks for reminding me how shitty TV is.
Submitted by bob (user info) at 2004-01-25 00:40:46 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I MISS JOHN DOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
did they cancel it?
Submitted by Spooner (user info) at 2004-01-25 00:34:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Eh, I guess you just have a different taste in TV then. I didn't care much mroe for "24" either but if all indications are correct, then FOX is gonna be rolling out the cartoons with this batch of reality tv money. "Family Guy" will be making a return and "American Dad" has a pilot currently in production, and there may be something else we haven't heard of yet.
Submitted by Despiadado (user info) at 2004-01-25 00:32:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
But every different Law and Order, from origional to SVU, to Criminal Intent was awesome. NYPD Blue was meant to be good, but I could just never get into it. The Pretender, The X Files, Angel and the Queen of swords all sucked.
Jerry Springer is the best though.
Submitted by Spooner (user info) at 2004-01-25 00:29:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Most people would agree "24" is pretty cool, and I liked "John Doe," though opinions vary on "Fastlane."
It was so long because I wanted to make sure I got my point accross, and people didn't end up thinking I was jsut saying reality tv was great or something.
Submitted by Despiadado (user info) at 2004-01-25 00:28:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Even when FOX isn't making reality TV it still sucks for the most part. I could count the good things FOX has made in the last decade on my hand, but the shit is an endless list. 24, Dark Angel, Roswell, Baywatch Hawaii, Felicity and just about every other drama FOX has ever punished me with was shitty. FOX can make sitcoms and cartoons, but little else.
Submitted by youarsoghey (user info) at 2004-01-25 00:27:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
24, Fastlane, and John Doe sucked way too much. Not all channels show Reality TV. You also don't have to watch it. D to the ownload.
Submitted by Spooner (user info) at 2004-01-25 00:24:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Actually, it was that 24, John Doe, Fastlane, and Family Guy's return may not have happened without Reality TV, and basically that while all networks air crappy reality TV< at least FOX gives you something back for it.
Read things before you review them.
Submitted by youarsoghey (user info) at 2004-01-25 00:22:07 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Long. Too long. I'm assuming (because I didn't read past half way) that you're assuming The Family Guy wouldn't exist without fox. Go here ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0182576/ ) and see what it says under "Created By:" He could have sold it to PBS if he wanted to.
Submitted by squattail (user info) at 2004-01-25 00:21:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Why spooner should shut his fucking head, and we don't need him:
Because you are super*