A lot of reality series seek to maximize the time spent on the "competition" and minimize that spent on the "judging". On "Survivor", they constantly push the angle of "this game never stops ... you have to play the game 24/7". They justify this outlook by devoting most of the show to bringing out the personalities of their cast. Tribal Council takes up only 10-15% of the airtime on most weeks, although somewhat paradoxically, they make sure they stretch out that 10-15% as long as possible for maximum dramatic impact. I think a lot of reality shows function this way.
The MMVJ Search series broke down the competition/judging portion nearly 50/50. The finalists moved into the penthouse this week, which apparently sets up the formula that the show's format will use from now until the end. Strangely enough, the competition portion was totally uninteresting -- dominated by predictable attempts at building cheap heat between the contestants in their living quarters. Like I care about who sleeps in which room. I barely paid attention. In the middle third of the show, the competition and judging portions mingled seamlessly, as clips from the media party and the contestants' Much on Demand appearances were interspersed with a constant stream of critical comments from the VJ's and music/TV critics who were there to see their work. Even though so much time was spent talking about the contestants, as a partial substitute to hearing the contestants talk themselves, I felt that I was getting to know them all fairly well. Trust a fairly objective TV critic to be more articulate and engaging on camera than a 22-year old kid speaking subjectively about his or her role in the whole drama.
The elimination/judging portion had its share of drama, but there was also a lengthy section for a large number of extremely on point comments and criticisms (particularly from Robin Black, who really earned his paycheque tonight, as well as a one-way trip off of my shitlist (hopefully)). This 50/50 formula is a refreshing change from the reality norm, and I hope they carry on with it for the rest of the season.
3 comments:
If I'm looking at how time is spent on a reality TV show, even in the context of Survivor, I'd break down your categories even further, into 3 instead of 2:
1. Synthesis of the previous episode, and rising action for the new one.
2. Competition
3. Judgement
Part one was the fish fiasco, part two was M.O.D. and the press party, part three was the executive panel.
Good call though on recognizing Robin Black. He and Kardinal are the only two who make sense. Traci and Steve Anthony are simply terrible.
You're right, I forgot about category #1 but it plays the smallest role of the three by far.
Steve Anthony was good on the first episode but he hasn't done much since then. I liked Traci at first too, but now she's settling into this pattern where she makes obvious comments but says them in the most profound way possible. "YOU HAVE TO WANT THIS, IF YOU DON'T SELL YOURSELF, YOU'LL BE GOING HOME" ... er, yeah, thanks for the insight.
For sure. I was a fan of Steve's when he was talking about the history of Much, and painted a picture of what it means to kids across the country.
He's just descended into irrelevancy since then. Very unfortunate.
Post a Comment