So, I'm driving home from dinner with a client tonight when I come across some crazy wa-wa 70's music on the radio. It sounds just like The Love Boat theme song without the lyrics... it's really something special. Anyhow, it got me thinking about The Love Boat and how it was some really trashy television. It doesn't seem possible that we could sink any lower, but then someone came up with the concept of reality TV. The latest is a show called  "The Moment of Truth," which makes me cringe just watching the teasers. Ouch... tough competition.

My question today is simple... which is more offensive, The Love Boat or reality tv du jour (let's pick The Moment of Truth just to keep it simple)? It's a straightforward question and because it's Feedback Friday, I need an answer... from you! Please take a minute to let me know what you think and why.

And because I'm a charitable guy, here's a video you should watch before you answer.

1. By

Hidden Hidden Location: Hidden Member since:9/11/2006 View Full Profile >

astrout on 2/8/2008
Jimbo - Reality TV hands down. Scourge of the earth. I realize why the big networks like it because it's cheap and sell-able. Love Boat may have been crap but it was entertaining crap. An it wasn't exploitative. Love the vid.

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Hidden Hidden Location: Unknown Member since:8/29/2007 View Full Profile >

dwilkinsnh on 2/11/2008
Given that I get nostalgic just hearing the theme, my initial take is realty TV as well. But for the record, you probably should have included Wonder Woman vs Space Aliens or the Six Million Dollar Man vs Bigfoot. Those were penultimate cheese. That said, there is nothing like the drunken exploits of the Real World to make you long for college again... And I am a bit of a fan of Top Chef. And I think there is something undeniably more thrilling in deciphering social relationships among real people than contrived plots and subplots that require zero intellectual engagement. So, yeah, maybe 70's cheese is my real answer.

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Shannon Di Gregorio Location: Hidden Member since:8/8/2007 View Full Profile >

sdigregorio on 2/11/2008
I'm with Aaron. I don't mind some reality tv, especially if it is skilled-based - I love Project Runway. It also helps that I think Aaron Spelling can do no wrong. Mostly, I'm sad that the game show genre (the original reality tv) has become so dramatic. With the exception of Jeopardy today's primetime game show involve too much screaming and crying and storylines. Bring back the Whammys and the $25k Pyramid, and leave the Fifth Graders and Lie Detectors at home.

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Hidden Hidden Location: Hidden Member since:10/2/2006 View Full Profile >

iphazard on 2/11/2008
Nobody can just answer a dang question anymore, myself included. I love the Love Boat. And I love some reality TV. Both are guilty pleasures. I won't argue that either has merit, artistic or otherwise. So I won't answer the question as posed, but will pose another and answer it. "Is there reality TV that has less merit than 70's camp classics (thanks for the list Wilkins)?" Yes, definitely. A Shot At Love, Temptation Island, and the Joe Schmo Show - the pseudo reality show where everyone was an actor except the one poor dupe, but that just made you feel dirty when you watched it. Although I did. Every week.

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Jim Storer Location: Hidden Member since:8/31/2006 View Full Profile >

jstorerj on 2/11/2008
Thanks for joining the conversation! This really has been a trip down memory lane.

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