TV Talk Discussion Group

Topic: Entertainment Weekly's Top 20 Most Appalling Shows on TV

Honestly, I don't know how they managed to narrow the list down to just 20.  But here they are:

1.  Moment of Truth
2.  Jail (one episode featured OJ's recent jail stint where he was ironically kept in cell 32)
3.  Kid Nation
4.  Britney & Kevin: Chaotic/Hey Paula
5.  The Anna Nicole Smith Show
6.  The Swan/I Want a Famous Face
7.  Temptation Island
8.  Cheaters
9.  Flavor of Love/I Love New York
10. Keeping up with the Kardashians/Bad Girls Club
11. Pretty much all of MTV's non-music-related programming
12. Joe Millionaire/Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire
13. Wife Swap/Trading Spouses
14. Chains of Love
15. Big Brother/The Real World
16. The Simple Life
17. My Super Sweet 16
18. The Littlest Groom/Age of Love
19. The Bachelor
20. Jerry Springer

The only show on this list that I've watched is The Real World. I've watched from the beginning and still do, even though it's just a bunch of young 20-somethings being exploited by getting drunk and hooking up with each other on camera.

Your thoughts?

Hi Susie.  I hope you check back here.  I am so glad you had a wonderful Hawaiian vacation!   I hope you get to go back soon.

I am currently watching the Bachelor, first time for me, watched Joe Millionaire once - when it was some Texas guy wooing some European girls and I wanted to see how European women are different from their American counterparts in the dating game and getting their hooks into a rich American man. However, the premise was appalling, as it did involve a great big lie.  However, the girl who won mainly wanted to go live in America, so I guess at least she got something out of it!   And I definitely watch Big Brother every season.   I like BB because it is the one show that you can get a good idea of what is REALLY going on as opposed to the edited stuff most reality shows give you. 

Hell's Kitchen, to me, should be on that list.  I tried it because I love Gordon Ramsey and his British shows, but this one just - well, appalled me, lol.  

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This is the top 20 according to EW. If they're not on the list they didn't make the top 20.

Adrianne Curry!

The Surreal Life and My Fair Brady should definitely be on the list! That's why I was surprised EW managed to keep it at only 20! LOL! Adrienne Curry is unintentionally hilarious though. Again, I see all I need to of this stuff on The Soup. : ) --susie

I agree anything with that woman, Adrianne Curry is awful.

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Posted by: molsongrrrl
Date posted: Thu May 1 20:55:41 2008
Message:
that list pretty well covers it! i haven't seen most of these shows - but they sound pretty bad just by the titles. i would only disagree with "Wife Swap" - sure some the swaps are overly confrontational (but that would be expected - its a tv show afterall) - but I think people do walk away from it having learned something.

i did go through a jerry springer phase many years ago ... i couldn't miss that show for about a month. then i realized it was just the same old stuff every day - big revelation and fake fighting and yelling. whatever.

i have seen a few eps of Cheaters - I think its pretty bad - but sort of entertaining when i can't sleep - its something to watch.

And finally ... does MTV actually play music videos anymore? i sure haven't noticed that!

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They created 'MTV2' for music videos. MTV isn't music television at all anymore! I get to experience most of the shows on this list by watching 'The Soup' on E. That's the only way I can stomach watching them. LOL! --susie

Most are pure sh-t but I have been surprised at Wife Swap. I am always amazed that they admit to having learned something AND make changes, considering how different the couples are.//serialmom

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Posted by: Mimi
Date posted: Thu May 1 17:59:09 2008
Message:

I do watch "The Bachelor". I know it is a horrible show, but it is a trainwreck I continue to watch. I like to snark on the vapid girls and their antics.

I did like "Kid Nation". I thought it was a good show. Some of those kids were made of awesome.

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I don't watch The Bachelor. But if I did, I'd do it for that very reason. To make fun of the desperation of those women. LOL! --susie

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Posted by: lisa3
Date posted: Thu May 1 17:59:06 2008
Message:

I agree with most of those picks. Moment of Truth is pure trash and Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire probably would have been my second pick.

 I'd dispute Kid Nation and Wife Swap because there are big educational aspects to both shows. The children learned some good lessons during KN and I don't think there were very many bad things about that series. I know child labor was a concern; few of the parents seemed bothered by it, though. As for WS, it's not as junky as the name of the show makes it sound. Both families in each episode learn about other ways of life and learn to appreciate what they had, and they can also possibly improve their lives by incorporating things they learned through their experiences.

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ITA about 'Kid Nation'. You said it better than I could have. eom Mimi

I felt the same way about 'Kid Nation.' Never watched it, but learned it wasn't as horrible as it first seemed. The most disturbing thing about that show to me is that the parents essentially sold the rights to their kids' lives to the network. --susie

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Posted by: Mrs. Betty Slocombe
Date posted: Thu May 1 14:24:13 2008
Message:
I actually rather enjoy Wife Swap. It's sad, but I love to see the fighting. Of course I love to see a hockey fight, so what does that say about me?? LOL

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There's a little psychology in Wife Swap, I imagine. And fights are the best part of hockey! (GO SHARKS!) LOL!!! --susie

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Posted by: Tricia
Date posted: Thu May 1 13:53:22 2008
Message:

I suppose that I should hang my head in shame since I have watched:

 

Anna Nicole Smith show

The Swan

Temptation Island

some MTV non-music shows

Big Brother

The Bachelor

and yes, Springer

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Clearly you're not alone, Tricia, or shows like that wouldn't keep being introduced. : ) --susie

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