Reality TV & Gossip TV

[princessbelle]

Originally Posted by Greyson

Just to be clear, I am not saying this prank was aimed specifically at this nurse because she was a woc. Who picked up the phone was random. I am saying the nurses reaction to the incident could be in part to her life time experience in total as a woc and "successful" professionally by western standards.

The HIPA laws are for medical privacy. I can see how some could see my posts as getting off the original point of the thread, maybe. Anyone want to address some of the points, concerns made about media such as Reality TV, Gossip media, Radio Programs? The impact of media on national and global culture?

I'll be perfectly honest here, i just have very mixed feelings about this. I have read a little about this and what i've read may not be all that is out there and more information could certainly sway how i view it.

But.

One the one hand...you have a radio station and program with a poor history regarding the "people" behind the pranks. I find the whole thing in bad taste if nothing else. The paparazzi there is even worse than here and i want to believe that they have laws for such things. We can get in trouble here, in the States, for impersonating a government official. I am surprised the same is not true there.

On the other hand....I have read they did not expect to get to talk to even a nurse on the floor. Breakdown in policy of the hospital? Not sure what their hippa rules are there. Here in the United States we use passwords/codes that only the next of kin know. Our Hippa laws are non negotiable and they can land a nurse to be stripped of her license and even serve time. Again, i have no clue what the rules are there.

What i find that is very intriguing about what i know about this and even very odd is that the lady that killed herself wasn't even the one that gave out the information, it was a different nurse. Apparently the one that took her life only handed someone else the phone. So with the info i have so far it is just hard to swallow that this was the only reason.

Was she depressed? On medications? Suicidal anyway? Was she sick with a disease? I understand that no note was left? So, no one really knows the why, if i have my information correct. Or....was it because she was POC and from India, maybe how she was raised or the beliefs there, including shame as being a huge reason to turn their backs on their own families, could be an issue.

I'm just not sure. But, i am VERY hesitant to put all of the blame solely on two radio personalities, even though they don't seem to have high standards for humility, without knowing a LOT more details.

As far as too much reality TV, i don't see it as bringing more problems to our civilization. Whether i'm watching Honey BooBoo getting a manicure and cussing at the age of 4 or watching people being blown up or shot to death on a fictional detective shows, my view of the world and my personal meaning in life doesn't change.

[macele]

i watch the kardashians. but that's because i lust after kris. just something about her. and rob has a sock line.

is dog the bounty hunter considered reality? duck dynasty? dog was canceled. and again, i only watched because i lusted after beth. and, beth called dog, ... big daddy. i want her to call me big daddy.

[LaneyDoll]

I am going to be honest,even with knowledge of the HIPPA laws etc, if I truly thought I was talking to the Queen who was very concerned about her family member, I might forget everything in my excitement. And I am American! That poor nurse was probably so overwhelmed she forgot all of her training.

The best thing we can do is to turn the station, to not open the news article online, to not support the advertisers/stars etc.

Money talks, bullshit walks. Maybe if enough money is lost, bullshit will walk.

I cannot fathom how hard it is to be famous, to be unable to do anything with any privacy. I know they choose their paths most of the time, but still, it has got to be very hard.

Does anyone remember the scene in "Mommie Dearest" where the fans stood outside Joan's home, calmly and patiently waiting for something & when they were dismissed, they left? Society has come a long way-but in the wrong direction.

[Greyson]

Originally Posted by princessbelle

I'll be perfectly honest here, i just have very mixed feelings about this. I have read a little about this and what i've read may not be all that is out there and more information could certainly sway how i view it.

But.

One the one hand...you have a radio station and program with a poor history regarding the "people" behind the pranks. I find the whole thing in bad taste if nothing else. The paparazzi there is even worse than here and i want to believe that they have laws for such things. We can get in trouble here, in the States, for impersonating a government official. I am surprised the same is not true there.

On the other hand....I have read they did not expect to get to talk to even a nurse on the floor. Breakdown in policy of the hospital? Not sure what their hippa rules are there. Here in the United States we use passwords/codes that only the next of kin know. Our Hippa laws are non negotiable and they can land a nurse to be stripped of her license and even serve time. Again, i have no clue what the rules are there.

What i find that is very intriguing about what i know about this and even very odd is that the lady that killed herself wasn't even the one that gave out the information, it was a different nurse. Apparently the one that took her life only handed someone else the phone. So with the info i have so far it is just hard to swallow that this was the only reason.

Was she depressed? On medications? Suicidal anyway? Was she sick with a disease? I understand that no note was left? So, no one really knows the why, if i have my information correct. Or....was it because she was POC and from India, maybe how she was raised or the beliefs there, including shame as being a huge reason to turn their backs on their own families, could be an issue.

I'm just not sure. But, i am VERY hesitant to put all of the blame solely on two radio personalities, even though they don't seem to have high standards for humility, without knowing a LOT more details.

As far as too much reality TV, i don't see it as bringing more problems to our civilization. Whether i'm watching Honey BooBoo getting a manicure and cussing at the age of 4 or watching people being blown up or shot to death on a fictional detective shows, my view of the world and my personal meaning in life doesn't change.

Belle, I can understand mixed feelings. It is my understanding in what I have read in the media the woman who killed herself was the nurse that talked to the DJ thinking she was talking to the Queen.

Knowing you, I believe you that your personal world view will not change. Sadly, that is not the case for many. Some will watch Honey Boo Boo and it will serve to support a negative stereotype about "Rednecks." I use to watch Cowboy movies as a child and I winced, my stomach would tighten because the mexicans were always portrayed as lazy, dishonet, not so smart, villians, or the mexican people were "simple" and peasants. How do you feel about the stereotypes about people from TN?

Finally, just because I may think something, it does not make it 100% full proof correct. I just don't see the value in Reality TV. I don't even find it entertaining. I think it serves in dumbbing down our thinking skills and expectations of civility.

[Soft*Silver]

ahh you mentioned Honey Boo Boo. I am so angry over that show. That poor child will spend the rest of her life tarnished because of that show, all for American Amusement...

While suicide is not usually done on the spur of the moment, there are times of great trauma that can stimulate suicidal behavior out of nowhere. The Stock Market crash brought about a few suicides. In my hometown, when the steel mills told workers that that shift was their last one, and they werent to return because they were closing the mills, men walked home and suicide soared. But was this the case with the nurse? Or was she experiencing other problems, long term depression, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back?

Regardless of which it was, the issue is not why she did this, but why THEY did this. And why does it allow to continue?

I get so tired when I hear that pat answer "because thats what the public wants". I dont think so. I think we are lead to believe this is true. I think we are lead to want to know crap about good people. I think we are lead to want to know the dirt about our neighbors. I think we are lead to want to know others arent just our equals, but our less than fortunates. I think marketing makes us believe its what we want...and we simply buy into because we are sheep. Lemmings. We follow crowds. Because, because of television, we now sit in front of a box that tells us what products we want via commercials. Suffice it to say, it also tells us now, what values we want. Its not US saying this is what we want. Its THEM telling us its what we want...

when they stop pushing it, we will stop wanting it....

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Miss_Tia

ahh you mentioned Honey Boo Boo. I am so angry over that show. That poor child will spend the rest of her life tarnished because of that show, all for American Amusement...

While suicide is not usually done on the spur of the moment, there are times of great trauma that can stimulate suicidal behavior out of nowhere. The Stock Market crash brought about a few suicides. In my hometown, when the steel mills told workers that that shift was their last one, and they werent to return because they were closing the mills, men walked home and suicide soared. But was this the case with the nurse? Or was she experiencing other problems, long term depression, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back?

Regardless of which it was, the issue is not why she did this, but why THEY did this. And why does it allow to continue?

I get so tired when I hear that pat answer "because thats what the public wants". I dont think so. I think we are lead to believe this is true. I think we are lead to want to know crap about good people. I think we are lead to want to know the dirt about our neighbors. I think we are lead to want to know others arent just our equals, but our less than fortunates. I think marketing makes us believe its what we want...and we simply buy into because we are sheep. Lemmings. We follow crowds. Because, because of television, we now sit in front of a box that tells us what products we want via commercials. Suffice it to say, it also tells us now, what values we want. Its not US saying this is what we want. Its THEM telling us its what we want...

when they stop pushing it, we will stop wanting it....

I have to disagree. It doesn't make sense to me that just because the media tells us that we want it that someone would want it.

I have no interest in watching any reality series, any celebrity stuff, etc. None. I think that the only reality show that I have ever really watched was the first and second season of Survivor. Oh, and I did watch half a season of American Idol, once more than several years ago.

I had to google "honey boo boo".

[tantalizingfemme]

I believe with any reality show with children, blame the parent(s), not the audience.

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

I have to disagree. It doesn't make sense to me that just because the media tells us that we want it that someone would want it.

I have no interest in watching any reality series, any celebrity stuff, etc. None. I think that the only reality show that I have ever really watched was the first and second season of Survivor. Oh, and I did watch half a season of American Idol, once more than several years ago.

I had to google "honey boo boo".

That's because you are a very, very special person.

I believe that 'blame' for the 'reality' TV niche should be divided amongst the crowd. Folks for tuning in, companies and creators for making the crap, the media for hyping it up, the folks that participate in it.....Housewives of Wherever come to mind....and the cycle begins anew. At every turn, there is weight to bear and nothing will change until the demand changes. So, it does start with the viewers. Viewers hold the power but appear to be the weakest part of the cycle. Interesting how that works...

[homoe]

I saw a clip of this and just shook my head

[princessbelle]

This is what i think....

I think that any moment i will have a lightbulb moment and say "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh i get it and agree!!!"

Cause right now i just dont.

Isn't it human nature to be curious? Isn't it our lifestyles now to be entertained? I'm not talking about sick-o stuff like stupid torture crap, but like well, the show, sister wives for example. It's a reality TV show that i like and look forward to. Does that make me a bad person? These people sign up for this and get paid big time for this and it's just...entertainment. I don't believe everything i see or hear, i'm not that gullible. I know a lot of it is acting as well.

But, here's the thing...

I feel i should be ashamed because i like reality TV shows. I'm not obsessed but i like them. Sue me.

We don't watch much TV at all. Bully watches political things, of course. We read a lot for entertainment, play on the puter and talk about things. I watch just a few things....Survivor, Sister wives, American Idol, The Walking Dead, Big Brother which are all seasonal and not on at the same times and that's about it. The daily hum drum sitcoms bore me to tears and i dislike all of the violence with the detective shows and stuff. Oh and i watch an occasional movie maybe once or twice a month.

How does that make me, and people like me bad? It feels like maybe some of you think that would make me not suitable for society or not decent person. How? Honest question, not being snippity. Really trying to understand.

What is the difference in watching Survivor or reading what everyone is doing on facebook, or even here for that matter. I realize here and on facebook we have "friends" but some of the stuff we all have read we don't know these people. Isn't it all just entertainment, enlightenment with different cultures and people, education at times, understanding of how other people live and what they are about?

I really think i'm missing something.

[tantalizingfemme]

Originally Posted by princessbelle

Isn't it human nature to be curious? Isn't it our lifestyles now to be entertained? I'm not talking about sick-o stuff like stupid torture crap, but like well, the show, sister wives for example. It's a reality TV show that i like and look forward to. Does that make me a bad person? These people sign up for this and get paid big time for this and it's just...entertainment. I don't believe everything i see or hear, i'm not that gullible. I know a lot of it is acting as well.

But, here's the thing...

I feel i should be ashamed because i like reality TV shows. I'm not obsessed but i like them. Sue me.

We don't watch much TV at all. Bully watches political things, of course. We read a lot for entertainment, play on the puter and talk about things. I watch just a few things....Survivor, Sister wives, American Idol, The Walking Dead, Big Brother which are all seasonal and not on at the same times and that's about it. The daily hum drum sitcoms bore me to tears and i dislike all of the violence with the detective shows and stuff. Oh and i watch an occasional movie maybe once or twice a month.

How does that make me, and people like me bad? It feels like maybe some of you think that would make me not suitable for society or not decent person. How? Honest question, not being snippity. Really trying to understand.

What is the difference in watching Survivor or reading what everyone is doing on facebook, or even here for that matter. I realize here and on facebook we have "friends" but some of the stuff we all have read we don't know these people. Isn't it all just entertainment, enlightenment with different cultures and people, education at times, understanding of how other people live and what they are about?

I really think i'm missing something.

I watch reality shows. I had a huge fascination with Real Housewives of New Jersey. Not a thinking person's show, but fascinating to me. And entertaining.

I don't think there is anything wrong with it.... any talk show that has guest stars is kind of a reality show in my mind because people go on public television to display their lives. Does anyone think Ricky, Oprah or Dr Phil watchers are bad? No.

And Facebook and Twitter and MySpace are pretty much the same thing....people putting their lives out in public for all friends/ and the public to see, every single day, all day long. To me there is no difference between social media and reality shows.

I won't feel guilty or ashamed because I watch reality tv and no one else should either because there is nothing wrong with it. Hey, I'm a nosy person, I love to know about other peoples lives and if I get that with reality tv, then so be it.


And darn it, I will never be ashamed of my love for Judge Judy.

[Gemme]

Belle, I'm missing the 'you're a bad person if you like this stuff' part of the conversation.

For me, if a reality show is damaging and/or useless (granted, these are relative things), I have no need for it. For example, Honey Boo Boo and Toddlers and Tiaras. I feel for the kids. I think they are being taught some pretty damaging lessons. I find The Housewives of... and the Kardashian shows useless. They teach me nothing and irritate me that people are being paid so much money for nothing. They are famous for being famous. That's it.

Now, reality shows driven by talent (or lack thereof) are more my vein. AI, The Voice, AGT and X Factor. Does that mean they are more 'credible' or 'acceptable' than another reality show? No. That's just my cuppa.

We all have our poison. Television is a distraction. It takes us away from our lives; allowing us to escape it for a while. Is this necessarily harmful? No. A little break is a good thing. Spending 8 hours a day watching TV and following FB (thanks for bringing that up...that counts too, for me) is damaging. That's far too much escapism, imo. Everything in moderation, right? Except our society doesn't know where to stop. Everyone and everything pushes harder and harder to find the newest, best, most unusual....whatever....

For me, it's less about the specific shows and more about what it says about our society. Reality TV encourages judging others and taking yourself out of your real, day to day, life. I don't think that's a good thing.

[princessbelle]

Originally Posted by Greyson

Belle, I can understand mixed feelings. It is my understanding in what I have read in the media the woman who killed herself was the nurse that talked to the DJ thinking she was talking to the Queen.

Knowing you, I believe you that your personal world view will not change. Sadly, that is not the case for many. Some will watch Honey Boo Boo and it will serve to support a negative stereotype about "Rednecks." I use to watch Cowboy movies as a child and I winced, my stomach would tighten because the mexicans were always portrayed as lazy, dishonet, not so smart, villians, or the mexican people were "simple" and peasants. How do you feel about the stereotypes about people from TN?

Finally, just because I may think something, it does not make it 100% full proof correct. I just don't see the value in Reality TV. I don't even find it entertaining. I think it serves in dumbbing down our thinking skills and expectations of civility.

These are from your link, and i've read this other places too....

Police have made no connection between her death and the prank call, but people from London to Sydney have been making the assumption she died because of the stress.

During the call, a woman using the often-mimicked voice of Britain's monarch asked about the duchess' health. She was told by the second nurse who took the call from Saldanha that the duchess, the former Kate Middleton, "hasn't had any retching with me and she's been sleeping on and off."

From what i read she may have truly believed this was the Queen, but only handed the phone to another nurse who did the talking. I may be wrong, but i just think there was way more going on in this woman's life that led her to this place and i have high doubts it was just this prank. The prank was bad, i agree, but from the info that is out there, i can't see it being the only reason this tragedy happened to this person. I have no clue, but i'm holding my judgement till either we get all the facts in this or we may never know.


As far as reality TV. I was under the impression we were discussing reality TV vs. regular TV and that's why i posted what i did. I don't see any difference. Like you said, TV in and of itself has always generalized and categorized people.

They both display wrong representation of all people. It's no worse now, IMO, than it was when stuff like Bonanza was on and how it represented the Native Americans. It's all bad, not just in 2012. That was what i was getting at.

Thanks for the dialog Greyson...

[Syr]

I have not had a television in 10 years. It is a mind sucking, poor replacement for life. That is just my opinion. I have friends who complain of the things they need to do, say how bored and dissatisfied they are........and then tell me about the 4 hours they spent watching tv.......

[Sachita]

Originally Posted by Syr

I have not had a television in 10 years. It is a mind sucking, poor replacement for life. That is just my opinion. I have friends who complain of the things they need to do, say how bored and dissatisfied they are........and then tell me about the 4 hours they spent watching tv.......

I agree with this BUT I also really enjoy TV. I love reality TV. I hate shit like Honey Boo Boo and Toddlers and Tiaras because I think this shit exploits children.

My mind is pretty expansive and I have huge responsibilities. Nothing pulls me out into a nothing zone quite like TV. Ok, maybe meditation but its different. But I don't feel like i need to sit in front of it every night. I also don't feel I need to be online drowning in social media. Everyone has their own form of relaxation. Then again I'd love a good distraction any day!