Reality Shows Galore

I have a confession to make. I love watching reality shows! Have been since it first ever came on air all those years ago with the Survivor series. I can still remember canceling any and all socializing whenever that show was on. I didn't really have Astro back then so there was no chance of catching a repeat unlike these days.

I still remember how I would stock up on some snacks and fizzy drinks waiting for Survivor to start. The kids would be asleep and I'd have the lights dimmed all eager and excited to find out whose flame would be extinguished. But these days the amount of reality shows on TV are just way too many that I really don't know which one to watch. Some are good like American Idol, The Amazing Race Asia and some are total nonsense like Cornetto Love Perhaps! Even the way the contestants speak are so scripted (not to mention bad grammar), nothing looked authentic.

Right now, I've kinda limited myself to only about three of these shows, namely Americon Idol, America's Next Top Model and our own local Akademi Fantasia, One In A Million and Gangstarz. I can't wait for Gangstarz to start as there are groups from the Philippines and Thailand in the competition this time around and the fact that I like Faizal Tahir :) I try never to miss any of these shows and the boys know better than to ask me to go anywhere or do anything for them during these times... hehehe

But what really irks me about locally produced reality shows is the shoddy production work that they do. I don't know about the rest if you but I notice stuff like these. Take for instance, Akademi Fantasia and American Idol. The two shows share the same basic concept of turning an unknown into a star but the production for it are on two totally different levels.

The staging area alone differs so much in terms of creativity and style. The way the truss are placed for lightings in American Idol are so well done that it can change the ambience of the stage so effortlessly. Even the banner stands are custom made and placed to blend in with the whole stage concept. It's not just there as an afterthought. It just shows the professionalism and passion involved in it.

I've watched countless AF concerts and the stage is just so boring. No creativity involved at all. Well, maybe I'm being unfair cos I shouldn't really compare AF with American Idol. That show is in a league of its own. But I do wish maybe the local set designers or production managers go check out some trade show displays in some of those exhibitions around town and pick up a few good ideas so at least I won't have to look at the eyesore stage designs they create! LOL

But with all that said and done, I'll still be glued to the TV watching these reality shows no matter how bad the stage is, no matter how freaky the script is, no matter how cheesy the concept is cos I can get enough of it! Except when the host speaks that is... another 5 remaining AF concerts, I should be able to 'survive' AC's nonsensical banterings!

'Hi, my name is Nessa and I'm a Reality Show addict ...'