Reality Bites

Something is terribly wrong with me. I am apparently one of the few people in the country who cannot stomach 98% of reality television. Why only 98%? Why not 100%? Surely all reality shows are created equal, right? Not by a longshot.

Over the years, there have been exactly two reality shows that managed to hold my attention. The two shows that got past my self-imposed reality ban were VH1’s Bands on the Run and Bravo’s Project Greenlight. Bands on the Run lasted only one season and PGL recently ended its third and possibly final season if you believe Executive Producer Chris Moore’s prediction on his blog.

I know I cannot defend Bands on the Run as an exceptional television show. It was no better than most of the current ridiculous contest shows in which the contestants are asked to do things that have long since past the point of contrived or shocking. Had the winning band not been from my hometown I doubt I would have given this show a second look. But they were from my hometown, and I watched every episode. It was a guilty pleasure and those are never built to last.

Project Greenlight, however, was the first show in the reality genre that truly drew me in as a viewer. This was the best show on TV that you were regrettably not watching. I am baffled by the low ratings for this show. It was by far the most compelling reality show on TV and apparently noone watched it. This season in particular was fantastic. In the first episode, we met John Gulager who ultimately beat the odds and won the director’s spot after the world’s worst interview. Gulager is more outrageous than any of the dime store hacks that try to become the “crazy” one every year at the American Idol auditions. What makes Gulager different is that he isn’t suffering under the delusion that he might become a TV or movie star by being a wacky reality show contestant. He is simply the walking definition of eccentric. You can’t help but cheer on John Gulager. He was the center of this year’s Project Greenlight and I hope he makes it.

The same principle goes for the show itself. The show isn’t about putting these people in ridiculous situations that have no bearing on, well, reality. It pulls no punches. It is a document of a film being made by amateurs who are surrounded by seasoned professionals. It was the best reality show on TV.

If someone figures out a way to bring it back, do yourself a favor and watch. Until then I am sure network execs are busy trying to figure out how to option “Tiny House” from those Geico commercials. Awesome.