White trash television programming and society

Latin television stations have copied much of the same programming. There is one particular one where they go in front of a judge (sorta like Judge Judy) and they come clean about everything. I later learned through a friend of mine that works for the station that they are paid for their stories and the more outrageous, the more they get. I suspect that a lot of our shows must do something similar. I seriously don't see how so many people can go on the show and pretend they don't know what's going on and then get a "surprise." I think you were generous in asking if the guests made to past 10th grade, the 10th graders I know would be insulted.. lol.. I think its more for show than reality (like wrestling), at least that is what I hope! It would be a sad comment on society if these people are genuine. I hope you find a job soon so you don't have to watch anymore.

Would I ever go on a show like that? No. An emphatic and probably obscenity laden No. Dirty laundry is not something to share, it's not something to share, it's something to work through and hopefully come out better for at the other end. But you bring up an interesting point. You final question implies that there is some force out there pushing this form of "entertainment" on the masses. In reality, that's not what's happened. What's happened is things that were once relegated to circus side-shows is now out in the mainstream. And the masses liked it. They wanted more of it. My personal belief is that people like feeling superior. And these shows provide them an excellent opportunity to say "At least I'm not as bad a those people." Society in a quest to be easier on itself has decided that being better than the bottom is a more worthy goal than trying to be as good as the top. Standards are slipping everywhere, but it's not necessarily the media's fault. It's ours. We are willing to exploit other peoples foibles in the hopes ours won't appear as bad. The slippery slope has led to a complete break down of the positive forces that made us strong in the first place. People seem to think that the quest for "realism" is the ultimate expression of the human experience, forgetting that centuries of human history were shaped by a quest not for reality as it existed by rather how it COULD exist. Programs that feed into our basest desires take us away from the possibilities and drown us in the quagmire of the "has to bes." People like the ones showcased have always existed. However, now, instead of being socially pressured to be something else, they receive their 15 minutes of fame and in essence are rewarded. The impact of this media is a continuation of the vicious cycle. But if we want it to change, we're the only ones who can make it so. Changing the channel, being vocal about disapproval (even if we are labeled unfair or judgmental) are the tools we have to change what comes through the television.

Can you believe the crap that's on tv these days? I have always wondered what makes people go on those shows. I doubt it's any money. One of the biggest laughs I get is from Court TV shows like Judge Judy! Talk about ridiculous! So many people are sue crazy and they actually bring it out in the open for millions of people to see. What's happening to tv anyway?

I don't like watching these shows either. I think it is complete rubbish! I could never get on tv and admit that I had slept with so many men that I could call 15+ onto a show to take DNA tests. How will that child feel when it is old enough to know what is going on. It is the shock and thrill factor of the shows though. Plenty of people still watch them or else their ratings would be so low that the stations would cut the shows. It is truly pathetic!

The thing you have to remember about these shows is that they are about as real as profesional wrestling. These people go on televison to portray a character. Some are bad guys, some are good guys. That's especially true on Springer. Don't believe a word of that trash. That's just a person wanting a free hotel and a trip to a big city. I have considered going on one of those shows and make up a character. I think it would be kind of fun. I have a southern accent that I can thicken at will. In normal speech you can barelly detect the southernness, but if I want to make it stereotypically hillbilly, I can. I just think it might be fun. I actually know four people that have been on Springer. They jusst made up a big story and got on. They played their parts well too! Ha ha! I am not a big fan of these shows, but I am a stay at home mom, so sometimes that's all that's on. It's good occasionally for laughs, but please don't take that junk seriously.

Jerry Springer has been on TV for over a decade. I think that alone says alot, whether people think it's trashy television or not... it's entertaining. I don't watch Springer or Maury often but when I do I feel as though my I.Q. has dropped a little once the show's over but it's still a good show to watch for a good laugh.

As far as I am concerned they have ZERO value whatsoever. You won't ever catch me watching that BS! It is just simply shock value for ratings. ZERO value!

Out of curiosity I tuned into a couple of those shows for a few minutes. I couldn't stand watching it more than about 5 minutes. The cat fights, the "oversharing" of too much information and the way the audience eggs them on. Its awful. No amount of money would convince me to go on that show. This type of show just makes us all seem like idiots. The ones who make the show, the people on it, and the people who waste the brain cells watching it. I'm home every day, but I find myself watching channels like HGTV or Animal Planet just to avoid all the other crap out there. And if I can't find something on there I like then I can turn it to the weather channel and just zone out with a book or a nap on the couch. As for the impact on society - its not just shows like this that affect our world. Its also all of those idiotic commercials out there. And movies that portray us to be dumb and dumber. There are times that I worry that our future generations are going to all be a bunch of idiots incapable of forming a proper sentence, let alone taking care of our planet.

Well hello Jodi! I do sympathize with you being out of work, as many, many of us are today, and you do bring up some excellent points about trashy TV! I am quite fortunate not the be around in the afternoons to watch this tripe, but have been exposed to it in the past, as i was a day Bartender for many years, and these shows were often requested by my partons. The sad thing is that when you turn one of these show on, it is nearly impossible to turn them off. It is like watching a car accident, and you just can't turn away! I do find myself sympathizing with one side or the other, so I guess they are doing their job and providing engaging TV. Unfortunately, is this what we want our brains engaged in? Heck no I say! I also loved your refeerence to Gladiatorial times. (Is that a word?) We seem to think ourselves so advanced in this society, but it is the basic instincts that prevail here. Wanting the other guy to hurt more than you, I guess. A sad staement on Humanity to be sure! As to where they find them? I have watched enough other Reality TV to have come to the realization that there are PLENTY of people out there that will willingly sign up for this abuse. Just look at American Idol, and that parade of freaks that come out for self abuse and 2 minutes of fame at best! I'm not sure that these producers are having much if any impact on society, other than to make it worse, but I guess time will tell for all of us! Have a wonderful day at MyLot, and thanks for the good discussion idea!

I haven't seen these shows either. I have heard about them and then I wonder what type of people are talking about them. Why would anyone think that is even entertainment. Judge Judy sounds funny because I was in a waiting area at the doctors office listening to the office staff talk about how she was insulting the complainints, plaintiffs and the defendents.