On Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 11:14 AM, Kevin M. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > If the show went to America's deep south, to a replica of a small > plantation, and contestants had to grab their next clue from a bunch > of African-American slaves picking cotton, would you all point to that > as a brief taste of American culture? Would you say that, though not > truly representative of the country as a whole, it was more > entertaining than watching contestants walk up to a well-dressed black > man or woman and to take their next clue from them? Or a less extreme > example, if the show tried to use some modern day back woods town like > Bakersfield, CA as a microcosm of America, would you be alright with > that town representing America on the series? Well, Kevin, I dont remember any challenges involving slavery, but it doesn't seem like too much of a stretch to put the challenges involving civil war battles or the old west in a similar category as one involving Mongols. And while they didnt go to Bakersfield, they did make stops at places like Huntsville Alabama, Heber City Utah and York PA, none of which I would consider microcosms of America (with all due respect to anyone living in one of those locales). But I think thats the fundamental bottom line -- I dont see TAR as trying to represent a microcosm of the places they are going -- I think they are trying to show us some cool locales and glimpses (but not full portraits) of other cultures. And I think thats a reasonable approach. In another message you write about how you dont understand people who care about reality TV and dont care about the news and the real world around them. I totally share your sentiment. The difference between us is that I dont blame the reality shows for the fact that some of their viewers dont also watch the news. It is quite possible to watch -- and even to care passionately -- about things that are pure entertainment while still also caring about the world. It seems to me that most people on this list -- including you -- are prime examples of that. So I'm not really sure why you are trying to get all 'holier than thou' about this right now. dg --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Like TV only smarter. You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
