Recently I was finally able to watch a full TNA broadcast. I was fairly impressed. It made me think however about the place Reality-TV based segments mesh with wrestling programming. Ultimately, like it or not, the concoction of both isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The subject of reality TV has been thrust into wrestling for a while now and despite it being called an entertainment evolution, it just isn't as good a mix as, for example, chocolate and peanut butter. 8-)
Now at times this formula can be bearable, and at times impressive and entertaining. But for many fans it's about how it's implemented into the programming. It's still wrestling, thus these elements should adapt to that, not the other way around.
For example, in WWE, we have the guest host angle. At times this isn't really in a "reality show" type format, but nonetheless it adds to the variety show that is, at times, WWE programming. NXT is a better example to this reality-show formula, and it's since evolved from Season 1. You see more "behind the scenes" shots with less acknowledging of the camera. This leads us to TNA.
TNA's process is even more reality-based and they even have an entire show dedicated to more reality-based programming. TNA Reaction is a neat concept, and on it's own makes sense. However when it comes down to it, on a weekly wrestling show that's supposed to be more about wrestling, the mixture of the two just bring a variety show feel as opposed to a wrestling show. Granted, there are variety show fans, yet that isn't the demographic the wrestling product is geared towards. TNA's Championship Rankings is also a bit of an idea that can be linked to "voting" one off the list. Think Survivor or Big Brother for example.
WWE's NXT also brings the concept of "voting" off potential talent. On it's own show, it makes sense in a way, however as mentioned above, that's because it's a SEPARATE show. Wrestling programming today is trying to become too much like something it's too different from. And that's Reality-TV/Entertainment Promotion, where big stars are attempted to draw ratings for an audience that COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THEM. The guest host angle on WWE is a perfect example. I see wrestling programming as episodic drama/action shows. You try and draw the viewer to watch week after week, and over a long period of time a season comes to an "end" because rolling into another. Take shows like Dexter and Lost for example. Extremely popular in their own right, and in my opinion, a better fit for a format that professional wrestling can benefit from. I'm saying they need to be like those shows, but the format would be a greater opportunity for wrestling to focus on their product, and not things that aren't related to them. Entertainment is a mix of many things, but it shouldn't be the sole focus of a "wrestling" show. Sports entertainment or not, it's still wrestling.
Personally, the older WWF/WCW programming and even today's ROH programming is more of my taste, the reality-show segments just seem out of place with wrestling. Although one has to admit that with wrestling being "scripted", it SHOULD mesh well with other reality shows because they're "scripted" as well. It'll be another debate that could rage on between wrestling fans forever. Thankfully, at the end of all things, I can hold on to one thing. Tonight, there was no guest host scheduled on RAW. I'll hold onto that for at least two hours of my life tonight, I wasn't that embarrassed to be a wrestling fan. Almost. I kid of course, but no show is going to be without it's stupidity. >.<
2 comments:
You write well, Jimmy. Good genes. Tried to follow but can't find the link.
Oh, something else, I taught a class session in what need in society is filled by reality tv. The students really had some interesting and frequently amusing replies. There has to be some social whole that it fills.
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