By: Lindsay LaChapelle;
Mosaic Staff Writer-
Jersey Shore is in its final season. Christina, Adam, Cee Lo, and Blake are battling it out to find the greatest new talent on The Voice. Saturday Night Live is at it again with Presidential Campaign parodies and the members of Glee club have left high school. Fall TV is back and college students are watching.
Media Credit: MCT Campus
Although they’re watching, not all approve of the latest TV trends. “I can’t stand reality TV,” says Caroline Whipple, a Salve Regina University junior. After going a long time without cable, Whipple says she will watch almost anything, with the exception of shows like The Real World, Real Housewives, and Jersey Shore. “When I watch these shows, my IQ definitely drops,” Whipple says.
According to Whipple, reality TV tends to start naturally, but becomes more scripted in later seasons. This, she suggests, is the problem with American Idol. Whipple used to watch it, but now thinks that it is overplayed and boring.
Whipple prefers shows like CSI, Law & Order, Ghost Hunters, and Pretty Little Liars. “I enjoy the thrill of the unknown,” she says. Her favorites are the criminal investigation shows and thrillers.
A reality TV show that Whipple does watch is The Voice. She explains that singing competition shows like The Voice differ from “trashy” reality TV because they try to better America and encourage people to pursue their dreams.
Nicole Palumbo, a Salve Regina University sophomore, disagrees with Whipple. She enjoys watching shows like Jersey Shore, Keeping up with the Kardashians, and Teen Mom. According to Palumbo, “Their stupidity is what makes them amusing.”
Like Whipple, Palumbo often watches The Voice. “I love the judges, especially Adam Levine,” says Palumbo, who adds that she prefers the format of The Voice to shows like American Idol and the X-Factor. “It is more unique and entertaining to watch,” she says. The Voice features prominent players in the music world such as Christina Aguilera and Adam Levine who mentor their own teams of hopeful performers.
Palumbo’s favorite show on TV this fall is Gossip Girl. “The storylines build suspense and seem less forced than in reality TV,” says Palumbo. The CW show is in its sixth and final season, and a devoted fan, Palumbo is sad to see it end. She will miss the complicated characters and all of their drama.
Caroline Chenard, a Salve Regina University sophomore, likes a mix of both reality TV and comedy series. She watches New Girl, Glee, Saturday Night Live and Parks and Recreation in addition to Jersey Shore and Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
Like Whipple, Chenard differentiates between quality reality TV and silly reality TV, although she enjoys watching both. “Good reality TV doesn’t need to be competitive, but it tends to be because the shows can be scripted without seeming fake,” Chenard says.
According to Chenard, there are too many reality TV shows and not enough quality family shows and series. “They tend to fizzle out because it’s hard to find shows with good enough writing to last,” Chenard says. She adds that people are too invested in other people’s lives, to the point that it has become “creepy.” Chenard says she watches the “trashy” television shows for laughs, not because she cares about the characters.
In good comedy series, however, Chenard looks for characters she can relate to and well though-out plots. “Consistency is key,” Chenard says. “I hate when they do things out of character.” Chenard admits that although she loves to watch Glee, she is often aggravated by its tendency to drop storylines.
According to Chenard, reality competition singing shows will always be popular, but American Idol’s reign is over. She used to love the show, but refuses to watch the upcoming season. “Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are gone and Ryan Seacrest needs to jump ship before the whole show goes down in flames,” Chenard says.
