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Emmys 2011: Why reality shows like 'The Real Housewives' and 'Teen Mom' will never get nominated
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If you examine the relatively brief history of the Emmy reality show categories, you're going to notice something: Certain shows are missing.Sure, the nominees and winners list are chock full of the classic reality shows that have become pop-culture phenomena over the past decade or so: "Survivor," "The Amazing Race," "American Idol," etc. But a vast segment of reality programming isn't there: what we like to call "trashy reality," shows that people either love to love or love to hate, but for some reason watch in large-enough numbers to put a lot of broadcast network shows to shame.
We're talking about shows like "The Real Housewives" series, and stuff like "Jersey Shore" and "Teen Mom." Heck, even more "highbrow" fare like "Flipping Out" and "Pawn Stars" can't seem to break into the two major reality categories. So, even though these shows represent the vast majority of reality TV out there, they're never represented at the Emmys.
Why is that? Sure, the short answer many of you might give is "they suck." But we think there are more nefarious reasons for Emmy's exclusion of everyone's favorite reality shows:
Kathy Griffin scared them off: "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" has somehow made its way into the reality category a number of times, winning twice. Of course, the first time she won, she got up to the podium and said "Suck it Jesus! This award is my god now!", which gave more than a few academy members the vapors. Yes, they gave her another Emmy the next year, but she didn't exactly go demure, unless you think dropping a couple of f-bombs as "demure." Her antics might have given academy members pause, because if a couple of f-bombs are going to be a scandal, imagine what Teresa Giudice might do up there, which brings us to this idea...
The academy is afraid of Snooki: Even though the reality program award is given out at the Creative Arts "Schmemmys," the academy still doesn't want its pristine program soiled by the cartoonish presence of people like Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi. If they even dared nominate "Jersey Shore," Snooki would likely be there, and the hoopla-averse academy doesn't even want to imagine what might happen there, especially if Snooki does some "pre-gaming" before the ceremony.
A fight could seriously break out: In the case of Giudice, the Jersey Housewife could either talk about the "ingredientses" that go into making a good reality show or get into a screaming match with her sister-in-law in the audience. Amber Portwood from "Teen Mom" could be showing up with her probation officer as a date. And all you'd have to do is look a little askance at Tami Roman from "Basketball Wives" and a shouting match would break out. It would make for an entertaining Schmemmy show, but we're sure the academy is trying to avoid that at all costs.
The academy members don't want to admit they watch these shows: After all, they still consider "Antiques Roadshow" to be a reality show. Either they're woefully out of touch -- a distinct possibility -- or they're like the rest of us: They love reality but just don't want to admit they do. After all, what's a better way to pass the time than to see other people get screamed at for a change?
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Photo/Video credit: MTV
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If people are no longer able to pay for fertility treatments, teen Mom's are there to the rescue! I think child and family services are main plotlines now.
Also, it's nice to know in the economy we now live in exactly where the rich people are. Hey housewives of __________, stop your grinnin and drop your linen. I'm coming over for dinner. And a martini. Can my kids eat for free?
The reason such so-called TV
shows don't get nominated is that in an ocean of garbage, they are the film floating on the top. Minow was right-it television truly is a vast wasteland, and THAT'S reality.
Hi Bill, did you read my post in the spirit in which it was intended? I wrote it with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek.
What???? Wait a second... you actually want the Academy to think that shows like Jersey Shore and Real Housewives are good enough to be given an Emmy let alone nominated?????????????????????? You have got to be joking!!!
Jay, see my reply to Bill.