Real World Road Rules Challenge

Look at me! I'm doing my blog post just before midnight. This is proof that I know what it's like to be a student. So, once you're in grad school it's pretty gauche to pay for cable. The presumption is that we don't have time to watch TV, and also that we're above it. We have time to watch Hulu though! My guilty pleasure shows include but are not limited to: The Biggest Loser, America's Next Top Model, and any incarnation of The Real World/Road Rules Challenge. Some shows that I like that are actually really good are: The Daily Show/Colbert Report comedy rock block, The Sopranos, and finally, The Wire, which I consider to be the best show ever made. For this piece I think I'm going to argue for why The Real World/ Road Rules Challenge is both shallow, mindless, idiotic, AND incredibly satisfying reality television.

The basic premise of the show is this: a bunch of former reality stars (and some people who were never even on Real World or the now cancelled Road Rules) compete in a series of incredibly contrived athletic contests for cash prizes. The way the game works changes for every incarnation of the show, but the alliances, backstabbing, and otherwise despicable, slutty behavior between cast members remains comfortingly the same. One great thing about the show is that all of these people are incredibly good looking but with dubious at best characters, and there's something really satisfying about watching hot twenty somethings slide around on big blocks of ice for the chance to win a BMX bike. Also, it's sort of like sports, but again, the athletes are hot and dress really well. Finally, the inter personal drama is soap opera level epic, but since it's "reality tv," somehow you feel less ridiculous caring about their struggles. Everybody agrees that Tonya is batshit insane and that Evelyn the little lesbian who kills the challenges rules.

To review: I like Real World/Road Rules challenge because 1. I like watching good looking people do stupid shit. 2. It's sort of like sports but without boring innings and rules and the soundtrack is more hip. 3. It has all the drama of television with a "real" component that makes me feel less shallow. Although it probably shouldn't.

So anyway. I'm looking forward to seeing what compelling arguments you've come up with for the shows you like. You may or may not be informed by the Steven Johnson reading I gave you. Really it was just for entertainment and to get our heads in the right space.

Oh. And I found this article after I wrote this that I think is really great. Me and the author are pretty much on the same wave length.

Why I can't stop watching the real world/road rules challenge.