Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Just say no.

Like most people, I enjoy America's new pastime, Game Shows.

I don't watch any one show in particular, nor do I watch specific shows on specific nights. I catch the occasional show here or there, like Smarter Than a 5th Grader, Deal or No Deal, Identity and 1 vs. 100 (For those who read this blog that are younger than 30 or do not have kids, Identity and 1 vs. 100 are on on Friday nights and yes there are television shows on Friday nights). I usually watch game shows when there is nothing else worth watching.

Like any average person I sometimes get sucked into the show. Whether it is the host, the contestant, or the questions and dynamic of the game, I become part of the show. I answer the questions out loud so my wife will realize that I am not smarter than a 5th grader. I play the whole "I would have taken the deal at $157,000." And I also find myself calling people idiots when they get questions, that I consider easy, wrong.

The only problem I have with these new types of prime time game shows is the way they break for commercials. They let the questions build up, they work the contestestants into having to make a decision to either take the money or continue, the build up the suspense and then the host of the show says something like, "We'll find out...right after this." The studio audience moans and they cut to a commercial.

I have no issues with commercials. They are the way television works. My issue is the fact that the shows actually try to act like they are NOT going to cut to a commerical when everyone, the contestant, the audience and the viewers at home, know they are cutting to a commercial. I find this somewhat insulting to my intelligence. Why put on the act when eveyone knows there will be a commercial? Why build the suspense? Why does the host smile and wink at the camera like he is playing a practical joke on everyone? Again, I find it insulting. They don't do this on Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune. Bob Barker never stopped Plinko in mid-game to keep the audience on the edge of their seat.

Now, whenever I watch one of the new game shows and they work the cheesy-suspense-commercial break into the show I change the channel and I tell myself I don't want to know what happens. I won't watch the commercial. It's my way of, kind of, telling the game show people I am not a rube. I am not to be played. That I don't want my 4th grade intelligence insulted anymore.

12 comments:

OhTheJoys said...

You GO 4th Grader!

Susie said...

This is an important milestone in your blogging career, young William. We all need a cause to champion. Looks like you have found yours. Bless you.
(btw, Identity is the WORST offender, imo.)

Anonymous said...

that is why dvr is so wonderful...just skip right through those commericals!!!

Patience said...

I never watch the new game shows, and I never watch "reality" shows. They're all just way too theatrical to me. And I just don't believe reality tv is anywhere near reality! That's just me though.

I used to watch Vanna White turn letters. I always guessed before the guy standing at the wheel. But I'm sure if I were actually on the show I wouldn't have been able to guess my name without buying all the vowels! As a kid, we never missed the Newlywed Game. Now there's Reality TV!!

Kami said...

You are a mess.

Erin said...

This is why my DVR is my best friend. I'm a complte addict. This way I can skip any crap I don't feel like watching.

eclectic said...

Way to stick it to the man, Bill.

Effie said...

I like jeopardy--and I try to answer before the contestants...my hubby told me as we were watching last night "you're getting weirder and weirder every day..."
I don't know if that's a good thing...

Anonymous said...

I think Ryan Seacrest is the worst for this. He annoys me.

Unknown said...

This is one of the reason I dislike many of the current game shows...the HOSTS. I do occasionally watch them though, because I feel like they make me feel really smart.

Anonymous said...

See that's one of the reasons why I don't watch gameshows or reality tv..the hosts totally ruin the whole thing. It aggravates me and then I don't want to watch anymore.

Jody said...

Commercials? TiVo, sir, TiVo.