It's for kids, there are few actual "grown ups" in the world. Fix the TV and schools, have I said that before?! .....  

The movie,   "Network" - I'm Mad as Hell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dib2-HBsF08&feature=related

   Damn TV etc etc  ..... what to do? , somebody sign me up .....

Holy shit you watch American Idol AND Survivor and you are intelligent enough to read/type and (I assume) control your own bodily functions? That surprises me as much as it would to learn that Paris Hilton has an IQ of 175 or that Madonna really was a virgin (either the actual Madonna or the singer &nbsp I personally would rather be tortured than watch any reality show. It is the worst form of entertainment ever invented by humans - and I include the gladitorial games and public torture.

Gahh me too!!

Although I also don't really care for American Idol. The only time I've ever watched it was at cheer camp at a university in the middle of nowhere... we were bored at night. And that was the first season of AI. I do like to hunt down the "bad" auditions on youtube and watch each one a dozen times and laugh.

Hmmm other shows that I'm embarrassed to admit I watch:

House Hunters
Flip That House (i've been obsessed with houses in recent months... )
Mystery Diagnosis
Maury!!! (i like the paternity ones)
Steve Wilkos Show (kind of like a Maury/Jerry Springer hybrid)
Cheaters
birthing/rare condition/autopsy shows on discovery health

 

I do think American Idol does a good job at exposing what the music industry's priorities are.

Imagine if a young Bob Dylan had auditioned for American Idol. He would have been in the "so bad, it's funny, and thus good for ratings" category that they have for the first few episodes.

I hate that show with a passion, and would see all the people involved in it's creation beaten by an angry mob of sadistic garden gnomes wielding nail studded cricket bats.

OH! I forgot about that...I don't know when it is on, but if I see it while flipping through channels, I'll stop. LOVE it.

Did you see the show about "Treeman?" Since the show aired, the Indonesian government is refusing the let the doctor send back meds that cure the man's disease.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/12/wtree112.xml

Re American Idol, Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney both contacted the show because they wanted to be judges. I could make a list of the musicians that watch...but I don't have that much time. The contestants know exactly what they are getting into when they sign 99% of their rights away. Blame the contestants, not the makers of the show.

I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to determine what the priority of the music industry is...

Anyway, you don't have to watch it. I don't watch CSI or any of those shows because they are completely misleading the public about forensics. I don't watch sports because I hate them...but that's why I have a remote control! I can change the channel or turn off the TV.

Actually from what I've read they don't even pretend it's real anymore. Of course you have people who say it's a sport and real but is rehearsed. OK, it does take athletic (and terrible acting) ability, but that doesn't make it a sport - otherwise stuntmen would be considered as participating in a sport. On a related rant, to Sports Illustrated, ESPN, etc: Poker is NOT a fucking sport! Is playing Monopoly one? Hell, playing video games takes more "athletic" ability than playing poker. Stop calling it a sport you fucking stupid assholes!

My problem with the TV is where is the rest of it, the balance?  SUE. Help the kids etc. 

Yeah, I do use the remote control, I don't watch the program, I've never understood why people always bring that up as a response to criticism of TV shows. (or anything for that matter) It's almost the default response, along with "I'd like to see YOU do better". It's beside the point.

And as far as lots of musicians watching the program, I think most musicians are talentless hacks. So I don't care. Even if I found out Ian Mackaye from Fugazi loved American Idol, I would still hate it.

"People" use that response because it is an appropriate one. It's not "almost a default response", it is an option. If you don't like a particular show, don't watch it.

Even if Paul McCartney watched football, I would still hate it. But I do not have a habit of insulting people because of what they watch on TV. People want to be entertained. My husband watches Futurama and Family Guy and plays video games. I'd shoot myself after 32 seconds of watching these shows and my attention span for a video game is LESS than 32 seconds. I don't *get* any of these things...but it is HIS choice how he wants to relax. This is why we have 2 TVs.  Men and women OBVIOUSLY have completely different tastes in television shows.    I'd much rather shop for shoes than watch ANYTHING on TV.

You are entitled to your opinion though.

I think your comment about "most musicians' being "talentless hacks" is a bit disingenuous. Music is a form of self-expression and a very personal thing. As with art, you may not know much about it, but you know what you like.

i can honestly say i throughly enjoyed watching Fear Factor... up until they started eat buffalo testicles... then i realised that the show became "Do gross things for $$$" instead of "Do fuckin scary shit for $$$"

remember when the contestants were made to eat those aborted duck eggs? (lil dead baby ducks inside an egg, bones and all...)

Even i have limits to my sadism

Wow, I had to look way back to find this thread. I just heard 2 good jokes about that show yesterday:

You hear about the American Idol drinking game? When American Idol comes on you throw your beer at the tv.

You know they're going to be showing American Idol in high-def? Because you have to be high and deaf to watch it.