Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: "The Simple Life"

This is topic "The Simple Life" in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Richard Greco (Member # 2032) on 12-23-2003, 10:34 PM:

I just wanted to see any opinions on this hilarious FOX show.

Have any of you seen it?
What do you think of it?
Do you think it is all scripted?
What is your general take on Paris Hilton & Nicole Ritchie actually seeing REAL life?

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 12-23-2003, 11:36 PM:

Answers to questions 1-4:

1. I've seen very little of it (only what I see by accident leading up to episodes of "24").

2. Crap.

3. Yeah, it's all scripted, focus group tested, pre-packaged, etc. After all, the marketing droids at the network want it as "real" as possible. There's not much new to the "fish out of water" story.

4. Regardless of what they do on that show, they still have not seen "real life" as we know it. So what if they "work" at the local Sonic Drive-In hamburger stand for a day? The experience would be "real" if the two ladies were not tourists to the world of the not so rich. It would be more real without any cameras around. It would be more real if they didn't have big trust funds to inherit and actually had to work that job (and probably one or two others) to make ends meet. It would be real if they NEEDED that job. It would be real if they had a child at home that depended on that burger flipper pay (especially when daddy is typically gone knocking up other high school girls and can't hold down a job to pay his child support payments). Pretty damned depressing. Bet they don't show that version of "reality TV."

Fundamentally, the "reality" of "the simple life" is very much a state of mind Paris and Nicole cannot achieve. This isn't a personal slam against them. It's just a fact neither has to worry about making ends meet, being fearful of losing a job or getting health care coverage and all the other kinds of shit us commoners have to endure every damned day.

As any would be able to tell by my tone, I don't have a lot of enthusiasm for "reality TV". The Paris and Nicole show isn't the worst of the bunch, but I still prefer to not tune into it.

I can say, with pride, I have never watched an episode of "Survivor," "The Bachelor" or any of those other programs. Their message is you have to be pretty, rich and dishonest to be a winner in this world. Sadly, some of that may be true. But life has enough negativity to it without shit shows like that adding to the stinking pile. IMHO, a hardcore porn movie has more social value. At least the people involved in those shows seem to be mutually enjoying themselves.

Posted by Nicholas Suchyta (Member # 2050) on 12-23-2003, 11:59 PM:

Anyone else wonder if the Paris Hilton sex tapes were just a publicity stunt to boost the hype for the show? Several people have brought that up.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 12-24-2003, 12:17 AM:

Nah. Many (if not most) couples with access to a video camera have taped themselves "in the act". Paris Hilton is probably very embarrassed by that tape. She shouldn't be made to feel ashamed about it though. As long as she was enjoying herself instead of just laying there, more power to her.

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 12-24-2003, 03:36 AM:

Hey Bobby, I see you have access to a video camera! [Big Grin]

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 12-24-2003, 12:42 PM:

Video camera? Yes. Girlfriend? Nope. Oh well.

Posted by Dan Lyons (Member # 1454) on 12-24-2003, 04:50 PM:

I actually watched one episode last week, i'm very ashamed.
That Hilton girl looks like hell; she's definately anorexic. [thumbsdown]

Danny

Posted by Sean M. Grimes (Member # 445) on 12-24-2003, 05:32 PM:

I caught about ten minutes last week, I turned off the tv to take a "Simple Crap" [bs]

Now that's entertainment! [sleep]

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-24-2003, 06:13 PM:

Have any of you seen it?
No, and I refuse to. The couple of commercials I have had to sit through was more than enough torture.

What do you think of it?
Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Do you think it is all scripted?
Not the specific dialogue, but the scenarios most definitely. On the radio a few days ago they were talking about an episode at Sonic. Given the description, there is no way they would have still had their jobs, yet that just wasn't the case in "reality".

What is your general take on Paris Hilton & Nicole Ritchie actually seeing REAL life?
I would rather spend my brain efforts guessing how many pounds of crap Sean dropped at that sitting.

Reality shows are the stupidest waste of time ever invented.

Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 12-28-2003, 08:42 AM:

Here, Here!

I think this stuff is a waste of air-time.

Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 12-28-2003, 12:57 PM:

Sometimes it's good that I don't have a TV.

Posted by Nicholas Suchyta (Member # 2050) on 12-28-2003, 04:20 PM:

quote:
Reality shows are the stupidest waste of time ever invented.

Amen

Posted by Daniel Wright (Member # 1983) on 12-28-2003, 05:19 PM:

I don't own a TV. I refuse to, there is nothing on worth watching.

Posted by Steven Privett (Member # 718) on 12-28-2003, 06:55 PM:

I have never watched reality shows. I thnk they were trying to get that percentage of people who don't.
Paris is gorgeous in my opinion. Putting those spoiled brats in that environment is the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. A reality "Green Acres".
Perfect reality show for the Heterosexual male. The other shows always kick off the good looking women first.