TV and Reality: The differences - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

apple cheeks · 02-21-2005, 05:23 AM

What do you think is the biggest difference between what happens on Television and what happens in real life?

Belair · 02-21-2005, 05:30 AM

Biggest difference: TV is fake.Reality is,well real.And,reality isn't rehearsed

(unfortunately)

Marvo301 · 03-05-2005, 05:11 PM

There's a difference?

TJL · 03-05-2005, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fresh Princess of Belair

And,reality isn't rehearsed

(unfortunately)

It is on reality shows.

TJL · 03-05-2005, 05:49 PM

In every sitcom set in New York, everyone is young, thin, attractive and white.

I live in New York City. It's not like that.

treky · 03-05-2005, 09:01 PM

and on every SINGLE TV show, hardly anyone is disabled and uses a walker, like I do. It's always just a wheelchair or a cane, and EVERYONE who's an adult can drive and owns a car. Even on these so-called "reality" shows! And they say TV reflects real life.

THAT REALLY PISSES THE %&*%^#$ OUT OF ME!!!!!

Adamantium · 03-06-2005, 03:22 AM

On TV, the characters, after a certain point, start over again. When a show is in reruns. After the final episode, it usually goes back to the first episode. In real life, we can't go back.

On workplace comedies there's usually only a handfull of employees. Or at least handfull that talk to each other.

On "Saved by the Bell" some of the kids skateboard inside the school. There's no way that would happen at my former school. There's a lot of other things about "Saved by the Bell" that's different from real life. But I won't go into all of them.

factsoflife · 03-08-2005, 01:09 AM

The biggest difference is that TV cannot capture the manoteny of real life, the repetition, slowness and the way that time just takes forever to pass. Tv can't capture the little things about life. things like how warm your bed feels and the sound of a soft song that puts you to sleep or the smell of fresh baked goodies... tv can't really capture these types of things about life.

and on tv there is no divirsity, seriously when on tv do we see characters of different ethnic, religious, political, sexual orientation and so on? when do we see disabled and handicapped characters? not often enough.

barwars · 03-08-2005, 02:57 PM

The amount of disabled and/or handicapped characters on television is an acurate ratio as to how many disabled and/or handicapped people there are in America.

Same goes for gays and blacks.

If there is a cast of 10 characters, and one of them is black -- the ratio reflects America.

If there is a cast of 10 characters and five are female -- the ratio is acurately represented.

I'm not sure of the percentage of handicapped and/or disabled people there are in America, nor of the percentage of gays in America.

But to have these shows set in NYC completely changes the ratios.

factsoflife · 03-08-2005, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barwars

The amount of disabled and/or handicapped characters on television is an acurate ratio as to how many disabled and/or handicapped people there are in America.

Same goes for gays and blacks.

If there is a cast of 10 characters, and one of them is black -- the ratio reflects America.

If there is a cast of 10 characters and five are female -- the ratio is acurately represented.

I'm not sure of the percentage of handicapped and/or disabled people there are in America, nor of the percentage of gays in America.

But to have these shows set in NYC completely changes the ratios.

You are a completley and totally ignorant person to say that. Television has almost NO divirsity. Gay characters are NOT even represented on network television, with Will and Grace being the only network show to even have a gay character. Cable does a little better with "The L Word" and "Queer as Folk" but WAF is leaving this season, Will and Grace is ending soon, i'm sure and three shows just isn't enough. to say that television accurately reflects real life is a big joke and you're totally insane to think that.

and other than the son on Joan Of Arcadia i can't think of even 1 other disabled person that is on television. and learning disabilities are uneqivocally underrepresented on television, no wait, they aren't represented at all. so don't sit there and tell me tha ttv is an accurate reflection of life cause it just isn't.

as a gay man i can tell you right now that gays are not accurately represented on television at all.

barwars · 03-08-2005, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by factsoflife

You are a completley and totally ignorant person to say that. Television has almost NO divirsity. Gay characters are NOT even represented on network television, with Will and Grace being the only network show to even have a gay character. Cable does a little better with "The L Word" and "Queer as Folk" but WAF is leaving this season, Will and Grace is ending soon, i'm sure and three shows just isn't enough. to say that television accurately reflects real life is a big joke and you're totally insane to think that.

and other than the son on Joan Of Arcadia i can't think of even 1 other disabled person that is on television. and learning disabilities are uneqivocally underrepresented on television, no wait, they aren't represented at all. so don't sit there and tell me tha ttv is an accurate reflection of life cause it just isn't.

as a gay man i can tell you right now that gays are not accurately represented on television at all.

"Blind Justice" premiering tonight has a disabled lead character.
There is a character in a wheel chair on "Committed" -- he's black too.... I guess he's a double token.

The fact is is that gays take up less than 10% of the population -- and if 10% of the TV population is gay -- they are represented to the appropriate ratio.

Should there be more diversity?? Absolutely.
Is the ratio of acurate?? Somewhat.

Only 12% of the American population is black, and that number is accurately represented on television.

ohh, and DONT call me ignorant when you're going to use words spelled like "divirsity" or "completley"

factsoflife · 03-08-2005, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barwars

"Blind Justice" premiering tonight has a disabled lead character.
There is a character in a wheel chair on "Committed" -- he's black too.... I guess he's a double token.

The fact is is that gays take up less than 10% of the population -- and if 10% of the TV population is gay -- they are represented to the appropriate ratio.

Should there be more diversity?? Absolutely.
Is the ratio of acurate?? Somewhat.

Only 12% of the American population is black, and that number is acurately represented on television.

ohh, and DONT call me ignorant when you're going to use words spelled like "divirsity" or "completley"

Oh thats right i forgot someone can't have learning disability and spell words wrong, otherwise they are an idiot. so you don't think that there should be more gays, blacks or disableds on tv? and i'm the one thats ignorant? just because a ratio is supposedly accuarte (which by the way you have yet to provide me proof of) doesn't mean that there shouldn't be mor exposure... gays, ethnic minorities, disableds and other minorites all deserve more exposure and dont' qute some statistic at me and act like thats good enough, i mean thats something that president bush would do.

Joker85 · 03-08-2005, 04:21 PM

It really shouldn't matter. People, or at least me, watch TV to be entertained. I don't really care if the cast is made up of whites, blacks, gays, straights, or whatever. It does bother me when there is a token black, white,gay, or handicapped character. They have no other purpose on the show. I don't need to be able to identify with all the characters I watch on TV, and certainly wouldn't want to. I watch to be entertained. Shows should not have to have a cast made up of each type of person or accurately reflect the ratios. As a southerner, I could say that it bothers me that all southern characters on TV are stereotyped and that there should be a more accurate representation and more shows with people from the south. But it doesn't bother me. It's just TV. A place to go to escape and not have to think about political correctness and the rest of the country.

barwars · 03-08-2005, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by factsoflife

Oh thats right i forgot someone can't have learning disability and spell words wrong, otherwise they are an idiot. so you don't think that there should be more gays, blacks or disableds on tv? and i'm the one thats ignorant? just because a ratio is supposedly accuarte (which by the way you have yet to provide me proof of) doesn't mean that there shouldn't be mor exposure... gays, ethnic minorities, disableds and other minorites all deserve more exposure and dont' qute some statistic at me and act like thats good enough, i mean thats something that president bush would do.

Dont throw politics at me. I'm far from a conservative, and even further less a Bush supporter.

Did I say there needed to be more exposure?? Yes.

But a disabled character, a gay character, or a black character shouldn't be thrown into a series just to be PC.
If they make the series better -- do it. But if they're there just be tokens.... they're a waste of space.

Joker85 summed it up perfectly. If a character is interesting, the black/white/gay/straight or disabled aspect shouldn't be the reason why.

And please, refrain from using the disabled card. You're an equal, don't go looking for pity.

dawsongirl · 03-08-2005, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joker85

It really shouldn't matter. People, or at least me, watch TV to be entertained. I don't really care if the cast is made up of whites, blacks, gays, straights, or whatever. It does bother me when there is a token black, white,gay, or handicapped character. They have no other purpose on the show. I don't need to be able to identify with all the characters I watch on TV, and certainly wouldn't want to. I watch to be entertained. Shows should not have to have a cast made up of each type of person or accurately reflect the ratios. As a southerner, I could say that it bothers me that all southern characters on TV are stereotyped and that there should be a more accurate representation and more shows with people from the south. But it doesn't bother me. It's just TV. A place to go to escape and not have to think about political correctness and the rest of the country.

It looks like they're trying too hard not to offend people when they stick one random token character in there. It just looks totally fake most of the time. If their being black or latino or gay or whatever serves a purpose to the plot, then fine, but just don't throw them in there to please a certain demographic. Because YOU'LL NEVER PLEASE EVERYONE.

And talking about geographic stereotypes...I just read a complaint in the TV Guide about how The West Wing protrayed Iowans- like they were all dumbass farmers. Well, that pisses me off too because half this state probably has never even been on a farm. But when you're dealing with a bunch of California writers who have apparently never traveled the country and base their perceptions on TV news, what can you expect? It's not gonna change anytime soon.

02-21-2005, 05:23 AM	#1
apple cheeks blue eyed girl xoxo Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 02, 2004 Location: In front of the tv Posts: 80	TV and Reality: The differences What do you think is the biggest difference between what happens on Television and what happens in real life?
	__________________ This is like heaven... right here on earth. Maybe that's what heaven is. Maybe we go through life collecting people and places we love... and they become our heaven Everywhere you look theres a face of somebody who needs you.Everywhere you look there's a heart,and a hand to hold onto

02-21-2005, 05:30 AM	#2
Belair Back@SO&Loveit! Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 13, 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 5,925	Biggest difference: TV is fake.Reality is,well real.And,reality isn't rehearsed (unfortunately)
	__________________ Half of Hollywood is dying to be discovered..... The other half are afraid they will be.

03-05-2005, 05:11 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,461	There's a difference?
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

03-05-2005, 09:01 PM	#6
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	and on every SINGLE TV show, hardly anyone is disabled and uses a walker, like I do. It's always just a wheelchair or a cane, and EVERYONE who's an adult can drive and owns a car. Even on these so-called "reality" shows! And they say TV reflects real life. THAT REALLY PISSES THE %&*%^#$ OUT OF ME!!!!!
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

03-08-2005, 01:09 AM	#8
factsoflife Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 11, 2000 Posts: 8,747	The biggest difference is that TV cannot capture the manoteny of real life, the repetition, slowness and the way that time just takes forever to pass. Tv can't capture the little things about life. things like how warm your bed feels and the sound of a soft song that puts you to sleep or the smell of fresh baked goodies... tv can't really capture these types of things about life. and on tv there is no divirsity, seriously when on tv do we see characters of different ethnic, religious, political, sexual orientation and so on? when do we see disabled and handicapped characters? not often enough.
	__________________ "and to the fans. I was only supposed to be on every other Tuesday. But, thanks to you, I'm here, and I promise! I will try my best never to let you down. I am going back into that studio on Monday, and I'm going to play Erica Kane for all she's worth!"-- Susan Lucci, May 1999 Daytime Emmy Speech.

03-05-2005, 05:49 PM	#5
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	In every sitcom set in New York, everyone is young, thin, attractive and white. I live in New York City. It's not like that.

03-06-2005, 03:22 AM	#7
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,840	On TV, the characters, after a certain point, start over again. When a show is in reruns. After the final episode, it usually goes back to the first episode. In real life, we can't go back. On workplace comedies there's usually only a handfull of employees. Or at least handfull that talk to each other. On "Saved by the Bell" some of the kids skateboard inside the school. There's no way that would happen at my former school. There's a lot of other things about "Saved by the Bell" that's different from real life. But I won't go into all of them.

03-08-2005, 02:57 PM	#9
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	The amount of disabled and/or handicapped characters on television is an acurate ratio as to how many disabled and/or handicapped people there are in America. Same goes for gays and blacks. If there is a cast of 10 characters, and one of them is black -- the ratio reflects America. If there is a cast of 10 characters and five are female -- the ratio is acurately represented. I'm not sure of the percentage of handicapped and/or disabled people there are in America, nor of the percentage of gays in America. But to have these shows set in NYC completely changes the ratios.

03-08-2005, 04:21 PM	#13
Joker85 Back in St. Olaf... Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 18, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 481	It really shouldn't matter. People, or at least me, watch TV to be entertained. I don't really care if the cast is made up of whites, blacks, gays, straights, or whatever. It does bother me when there is a token black, white,gay, or handicapped character. They have no other purpose on the show. I don't need to be able to identify with all the characters I watch on TV, and certainly wouldn't want to. I watch to be entertained. Shows should not have to have a cast made up of each type of person or accurately reflect the ratios. As a southerner, I could say that it bothers me that all southern characters on TV are stereotyped and that there should be a more accurate representation and more shows with people from the south. But it doesn't bother me. It's just TV. A place to go to escape and not have to think about political correctness and the rest of the country.