12 days of reality TV: 12 reader suggestions, from Erik giving up immunity on Survivor to The Real World's Pedro
And we’ve reached the end of the 12 Days of Reality TV, a celebration of the gifts reality TV has given us that’s only loosely connected to the song it borrows its name from. Today’s gifts come from you.
There were so many great suggestions it was difficult to narrow them down to 12, but I loved reading them all, and was thrilled that so many were on my list of highlights, too.
And perhaps as a 13th gift, I’m grateful that reality TV has given me all of you, whether you’re reading, commenting, or disagreeing, interaction with smart people who watch and think about what they watch is something I never thought would come of reality blurred when I created it 10 years ago this past July.
So, thanks for all your suggestions (and congrats to Jeremy, who won the box of re-giftable swag, from a David Hasselhoff calendar to a Dancing with the Stars book), and thanks for reading this year.
Happy holidays—Christmas, belated Hanukkah, and any other co-opted pagan holiday you choose to celebrate—everyone!
The Amazing Eyebrow! Phil Keoghan’s eyebrow acrobatics are the gift that keeps giving. —AshleyMy suggestion for a gift reality TV has given us is shows like Project Runway and Top Chef: The ability to see talented people doing what they’re good at, even when they’re in an incredibly tense and nerve-wracking situation. While plenty of reality TV (including this stuff) is voyeurism at its finest, it’s much better to watch productive things happening than people getting drunk.—Jay ConverseErik giving up immunity in Survivor Fans vs. Favorites (actually, the whole episode of lead up, the TC, and the voting confessionals). Amazing. I’d argue it’s one of the best episodes of Survivor ever.—Nate CardinThe Flavor of Love New York v. Pumkin hot mess —Evinand Pumpkin spittin’ on New York. —John P.Teresa from RHONJ flips out…and the table…it kind of epitomizes a lot of reality shows these days that are built on drama —NeilPedro from The Real World —Susan E.Tim Gunn. My life is better with Tim Gunn in it, especially after this last season. —Ruth M.The Apprentice: quadruple firing in one boardroom. [The] entire team shared taxi ride of shame.—Marc H.Trading Spaces: The contestant who flips out about the brown color the neighbors did.—SeanThanks to Teen Mom and Jon & Kate + 8, I have learned that there was no reason for me to go to college for that pesky degree. I just needed to get knocked up in extraordinary fashion or at an unreasonable age and then allow some cameras to catch it all in gory detail. This = instant paycheck. —Amy P.Reality TV reminds me that there are still good people out there who do the right thing (the couple willing to lose The Amazing Race because it was wrong to stiff the cabbie… Uchenna and Joyce?) and that despite all the proof to the contrary (see: Real World, Road Rules, Jersey Shore, The Simple Life, etc.), that there is hope for the future (that 14 year old Michael kid on Kid Nation).—TammyAnyone can become famous or at least infamous. Normal everyday folks can be plucked from obscurity to become a household name simply by appearing on reality television. It does not matter if you have a special talent or skill all that really matters is a personality that captures the attention of the producers. Over the years, we have watched people from all walks of life compete in competitions (Survivor, American Idol, Amazing Race) and work their everyday jobs (Deadliest Catch, Pawn Stars, Billy the Exterminator) and the thing that makes a show watchable is seeing people you can relate to participate in these extraordinary events.—Deborah
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