Women and Reality Television

[Justawoman]

I have to admit that I enjoy watching "Outback Jack". Literally I like watching Jack. He is one gorgeous man. But I got to thinking and this can be dangerous. We have/had several reality television shows that promote women marrying rich men. Who Wants To Marry My Dad, Joe Billionaire, The Bachelor, just to name a few that popped in my head. What does this do for women and equality? Does anyone else find this reminiscent of the 50's where girls were pretty much encouraged to marry "Mr. Right" with the money who could "take care" of her? So what are your thoughts on this? Mine... well I like having my own money... enough said.

[Alec]

I would prefer a reality show where there is a rich woman looking to get married. ;)

I think people have married for money since money was invented. It's not likely to ever change. Of course, not everyone does that, but a lot do.

BTW, if you live in a community property state, half of it is your money. :)

[CuriousG]

People want to feel secure, especially in a relationship. Money makes a lot of people feel secure, so it is often an important characteristic for people when evaluating a potential partner.

[theyeti]

I think it would be pretty distressing knowing that there's a pretty good chance someone's only interested in you because you have money (or because you're on a reality show, or you're a celebrity, or so on...). I'm with justawoman, I'd rather earn my own money! :)

Of course, if the opportunity presented itself, I may think otherwise... ;)

[Justawoman]

Well yeti if I was given the opportunity of running around in the outback with "Jack"..... I would most definitely give it another thought.

[jamesglewisf]

Is Jack supposed to be rich, or is he just a hunk?

[CuriousG]

Before I begin my comment here, I should put a disclaimer...

The following comments are based on my humble opinion formulated from my observations. I am by no means making a generalization for all people, just what seems to be the majority to me. I am not sexist and I hope that my comments in no way offend women or men. They are not meant to, and by no means is my opinion worth a darn anyway...

With that...

Why does it seem like women are often more attracted to men when they are famous? I look at Rock stars sometimes and women are throwing themselves at them. At the same time, I'm thinking, "this guy doesn't even look too attractive, what do women see in him? Is it merely the fact that he's famous and they want to be associated with that?" In my opinion, famous entertainers who are women and unattractive (by no means does this affect their talent) do not have this same effect on men. Men seem to be attracted and enthralled by women who are attractive regardless if she's a famous entertainer, or unemployed, etc. Take a guy off the street who is average to below average looking and put him in front of a beautiful woman. She probably won't pay too much attention. Now, give him a guitar, put him on a stage and let him sell a few records. That same woman will be falling all over him. Take that same beautiful woman, put her in front of any guy, and they will be drooling regardless of her profession and standing. If she is unattractive, those same men are not going to change their opinion because she is famous. Men are very basic in their attraction. This is just what I have concluded after my observation of the women I know. I hope my thoughts didn't offend anyone, it's just my opinion. I'm not trying to say women are motivated by money, I'm not so sure that the financial part of the fame is what makes the men attractive, it may be a much greater subconcious yearning to be the center of attention or at least a part of that attention. But what do I know?

[Justawoman]

James, I have no clue if he is rich or what. Just a very handsome man. All be it a bit too pretty to actually be this tough and ready country type man.

[Justawoman]

CuriousG your whole post made me think of National Geographic when they do the specials on the mating of various animals or birds. If you notice the female flocks toward the more handsome male of her species, the more stronger, or the one who can make the best nest. Perhaps this was put into all females. And by no means did your post offend this woman.

[Madge]

Here's another thread "revived". These Reality Shows, for the most part are rubbish. I'm so nauseated by "Fear Factor" that I refuse to even LISTEN to the promos! That is just totally unneccessary. I wouldn't SUE anyone because it made me ill (hear about the guy who sued for something like 2 million because the show made his stomach sick?), but I certainly WILL NOT watch it. And as for women trying to "catch" a wealthy man - PLLLEEEEASSEEEE!!! What kind of a sick message does that send to vunerable kids? We as a country should be ashamed of ourselves!! "The Apprentice" is somewhat entertaining, and I can see where it's popular. I like to watch "The Biggest Loser" because these people are getting help and helping themselves and it's good to see them all win - there are no losers on this show. I'm afraid to see what these TV people will come up with next....

[Justawoman]

When reality shows first came on the scene they were new and kinda fun to watch. Now there are so many of them. We started getting into the house makeover shows. I love those. They have so many different solutions and outcomes for the room they choose.

[raybeck]

I did get caught up in the Apprentice for awhile, but had met one of the contestants at a party at our daughter's house. So that was neat...he was the first one cut...lol

I am into American Idol, for some reason, my DH hates it.

Can't think of any others that I would sit and watch, oh yeah, watched the Bachelor because we had a girl from our hometown that actually went to school with our oldest daughter, so that was pretty cool, she did well, but did not win.

The ones where they show them eating gross stuff is just disgusting to me, it makes them look so dumb, IMO.

[Madge]

I'm a big fan of Trading Spaces, While You Were Out, Clean Sweep - all the shows on the TLC channel. I could sit and watch them for days!

[Justawoman]

Those are the ones Madge that we have started watching. They are great. You can get some awesome redecorating tips from them. I also like the ones on BBCA and Discovery. Have you all managed to catch the new one - Queer Eye for The Straight Girl? Do you watch those kind of makeover shows? When flipping channels for something to watch I will stop occassionally and watch a bit of them. Sometimes you wonder what the so-called fashion guru is thinking. They don't make them look better but silly. I also like to watch Overhaulin and Monster Garage. I wish they would take my ole classic Malibu out back and redo it. Now that would be a sweet ride. Look out boys Mama is back in town. *L*

[CuriousG]

I don't mind the ones like Monster Garage and others like it on TLC and the Discovery Channel, but I don't know if I really consider them in the same realm of reality television. At least when you watch those you can learn something and often times it really is people just doing what they know how to do, etc.

[OnceByten]

I loathe reality tv.

Who created the reality that these shows came from anyway??

[Justawoman]

You can't get closer to reality than that CG.

[CuriousG]

Exactly, while most other reality televesion, i.e. Real World, Survivor, etc. is nothing like "reality."

[Madge]

Those are the shows I'm talking about J.A.W.!! I get the biggest kickout of all of them. I haven't seen "Queer Eye for the Straight Girl" yet, but I heard about it. As far as "Overhaulin'" goes, you can get on the TLC website and look for Overhaulin'. You can actually apply online to have your car redone. It's very easy - you should try it!! I was just about to send in the photos of my husband's '69 Dodge Dart - everything else was done - when he decided to sell it. I had to tell him what I was up to - what a surprise THAT would have been! You just have to act surprised if you're picked, because someone else is supposed to do it for you. I THINK these shows are where Reality TV started (not totally sure of that...). Did you see the Reality show where there was a young woman who had 8 men to choose from to decide which one was her real father? Disgusting. She was adopted and in search of her birth parents.