The Batchelor - finding new lows

[cowpatz]

IMHO this program seems to epitomise everything that is currently wrong with television.
Utter voyeuristic, mind rotting trash.
This guy shags most of the girls (on sleep overs) then after an eternity picks one and dumps her 2 days later.
Then the newest entertainment tabloid (NZ Herald) deems this to be a newsworthy item.
Mind numbing television
Have the NZ viewing public really sunk to this level...heaven forbid.
And no I dont watch it but have to endure the friggin trailers for it every damn add break

[toprob]

I manage to ignore the whole thing, I generally record stuff I want to watch, even if I watch it while the show is still on -- this lets me skip the ads. But recently I've noticed a huge amount of reality TV on the local news sites -- the 'main story' on Stuff and the Herald is more than likely to be some reality TV rubbish. I think that these sites would prefer to just post Facebook posts, twitter feeds and Youtube videos...

I saw on the news today that the Aussie owners of both the Herald and Stuff and joining forces, so I suspect that by next year we'll have 90% 'reality' news...

I get a lot of use out of OnDemand and Netflix, so I have less and less use for broadcast TV. Just watched last night's NZ Coast ondemand -- including some great stuff on the creation of Rangitoto, 700 years ago. I didn't know that it was that recent, and that Motutapu was inhabited at the time.

Only thing I'll watch on the TV tonight is Containment, starting in a few minutes -- quite a gripping story. Hopefully the reality ads won't be too obvious....

[emfrat]

The only thing I deliberately watch on TV is the start of the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race. Why? Because it is a genuine reality show.
- The participants are not selected to fit advertising industry requirements.
- There are no pre-arranged 'plots' or scenarios, or winners.
- There are no carefully-scripted and rehearsed 'spontaneous' arguments.

[Ian Warren]

And no I dont watch it but have to endure the friggin trailers for it every damn add break

What happened to the brilliant Documentary's .. well researched , about anything ... but this rubbish .... BRAIN DEATH has appeared , I love me 'SIMPSONS' but they are cartoons ... and very imaginative story lines .. But the dribble host and post fights .. SHITE can't even say that here yet its open TV

[Ian Warren]

I Can't really understand why people have to watch dribble like this ... worst thing . many don't believe it .. but lucky I never did, get into a relationship , I'd never have the books and toys I play with today.

[emfrat]

Yeh, unreal, isn't it?

[dbcunnz]

You should have been watching Prime tonight a Documentary on the 1970s and 80s Deer gold rush, talking to the survivors and and old film shot from the choppers and about the cowboys who bought choppers and joined in some with only about 10 hrs flying time and the ones that lasted less than a month before pranging their choppers.
Maybe worth a another watch on Prime on demand.

[cowpatz]

On some nights I find it quite staggering to look at the SKY TV guide to find absolutely nothing worthwhile to watch.
It is either some Border patrol, Cops (which further illustrates just how low the human race has reached) some DIY house rebuild (quick and nasty reno then sold for an obscene profit whilst performing scripted personal dramas), cooking 'contests"with the emphasis on being plain nasty and talentless foreign "sausage factory" over hyped talent shows to help financially support the narcissist Simon Cowell.
Interspersed with that we have the American crime soaps (Why did we ever move away from pommy shows to American ones?) that are full of beautiful people with massive ego's wearing designer clothes and driving cars that they could never afford on a cops salary. The scripts are practically the same each episode. Simply cut and paste TV. Cheap and mind numbing to subdue the masses.....and I believe it's working.
The world is going to hell in a can. The Americans are halfway there already and the meteoric rise of Trump is the proof.
On the plus side I watch far less TV than I used to and I selectively record the programs that are worthwhile to watch at a convenient time later.

[Ian Warren]

are halfway there already and the meteoric rise of Trump is the proof.

Think off the Comedy show if my friend Donny got into power, Prezzy Putin would even have a chuckle ! ......

[toprob]

Thinking about this, I can't really consider this 'bad' television, as a lot of people obviously like this sort of show. (My flatmate, for one. That's why I haven't watched TV in our lounge for 5 years...) Two of the top five most-read stories on the Herald site this morning were the Bachelor. (One was aliens in NZ...)
In a way we are better off now, in that we are not tied to what the local channels show. The gap between broadcast and online will only get wider, so one day we won't need an aerial on the roof.
Full disclosure -- I have one 'guilty secret', because I work from home (on the same PC that I watch TV) I do mark the transition from work to relax by watching Shortland Street I figure that if I don't judge others, they won't judge me...

[NZ255]

I have heard the radionz news website is the place to go for news without other fluffy 'stuff'.

I agree about NZ tv, my flat doesn't have a freeview box or sky so we go with Nick-TV... a carefully handpicked selection of the better shows on at the moment.

[Ian Warren]

Rob I considered you as a Coronation Street fan ..... me PASS What ever happened t the quality re-runs of M*A*S*H or even the 'Beverley Hill Bill's' or even 'Hogans Hero's' Coooool! ..... or even 'Dads Army' ....

We were heading out to a Christmas do da years back, mate Steve said stop at my place and we will all go together , a new worker was invited, like all , turn's up at five to six a bit early .. but thought OK cool ! and the first thing he said was ... "were is the TV got ta what Neighbours/Shortland Street " .. that really kneecapped me ..

[cowpatz]

Two of the top five most-read stories on the Herald site this morning were the Bachelor. (One was aliens in NZ...)

Is that really surprising given that the Herald is now an entertainment tabloid and no longer a newspaper of any worth?
Interestingly I was listening to nine to noon late this morning (Unfortunately not Kathryn Ryan as she was away). In the section "Viewing with Paul Casserly" he discussed "The Batchelor" and the even more dreadful Australian "Married at first sight". A little over midway thru the interviewer (who's name escapes me) had to get him to move on as she was being inundated with disapproving texts and emails. Completely the wrong target audience.
I believe that we need more programs and documentaries in the style of Country Calendar. A good honest, wholesome and well produced and narrated style of TV that amongst other things makes you really glad to be a kiwi.
I guess it is why it is the longest running program on NZ TV.

[Ian Warren]

YIP .. 'Country Calendar' no dribble other than from the Cows ... or the worried Sheep or the reliable farm dog ..... now were is Footrot Flats Farmer when we need him ! ..... Wal were the Bloody ell are ya !

[cowpatz]

"interminable and vacuous television" .......as reported by the Herald online.
An excellent choice of words.

[Ian Warren]

Hmm .. I was thinking the Herd online , my excellent choice of alphabet things glued together ... Think I'll stick to a batch in the lows close .... arr bugger it , Ill stick to were I am .... Girls I'm free and easy .. own my own batch and the entire package .. don't have kids .. don't want em either !

[toprob]

Rob I considered you as a Coronation Street fan ..... me PASS What ever happened t the quality re-runs of M*A*S*H or even the 'Beverley Hill Bill's' or even 'Hogans Hero's' Coooool! ..... or even 'Dads Army' ....

Currently on Jones! channel -- Hogans Heros.
By the way, I'm 100% NZ when it comes to TV, movies, music... well, maybe not 100%, but certainly I have no affinity for English drama/soaps etc... not a lot of English in my family tree, that's for sure.

[Ian Warren]

With all the movie stars and TV development created in New Zealand , would it not be great to make a series based on fact rather the regular Dribble , ... the story starts and If killed gone .. a new story .. , primary thing is getting it as historical accurate as possible ... rather the make up trash you get ... that would really hit Peter Jacksons playground right from the very start.

[cowpatz]

Like everything in life it's all about balance.
At the moment the scales are heavily in favour of cheap and quick instead of quality.

[Ian Warren]

Like everything in life it's all about balance.
At the moment the scales are heavily in favour of cheap and quick instead of quality.

I returned back to my childhood .. Went to my 'Limited Edition Lunch Tin Collection Set .. THUNDERBIRDS" .. are go !