TV is getting very real in America. The recession means far fewer scripted dramas – far more “reality TV”.
This weekend on Channel 4 News we showed you what has to be one the most outrageous reality shows ever to hit the air, Smile… You’re Under Arrest:
The programme tricks wanted criminal suspects in Arizona into thinking they have won hundreds of dollars and all they have to do to get the money is take part in a mocked-up fashion show.
Once they have been persuaded to dress up in black and white striped prison costumes they are arrested – right there on TV. They are even made to say, “I’ve been busted on Fox TV,” into the camera before they are hauled off to jail.
It’s all part of a crackdown on minor offenders being undertaken by the man who likes to call himself “America’s toughest sheriff”. You can see more about Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his Tent City Jail where the inmates wear pink underwear in the report above.
But there’s perhaps an even more bizarre reality show being planned for America’s TV screens. Soon to be aired on Fox is a series in which real companies who are in economic difficulties will allow their employees to decide who should be laid off.
In each episode the boss will give all his staff all the information he has about them – their salaries, HR reports and the rest – and allow them to decide who has to go.
At least when Donald Trump or Alan Sugar say, “you’re fired,” on The Apprentice they only mean, “you’re leaving the show”. This time it will be the real thing.
The show is being developed by Endemol – the company who brought us Big Brother and who produce a lot of shows for the UK, many of them shown on Channel 4.
There is no shortage of Brits on American TV at the moment. British actors have leading roles on many long-running series. Whether it’s Simon Cowell on American Idol, Damian Lewis starring in Life or Hugh Laurie’s brilliant performances as the eponymous lead in the medical drama House.
But a little bit of reality has now crept into House too.
NB – the rest of the post may contain spoilers for a UK audience.
In the episode shown in America last week we discovered the very unexpected suicide of one of the main characters – Kutner.
Only to discover his sudden exit is to allow him to start work in the White House – for real. Kal Penn – who you might know better from the Harold and Kumar films – has quit Hollywood to become the associate director in the Office of Public Liaison.
I have absolutely no idea what they do in the Office of Public Liaison but he says he’s very excited to be able to serve the Obama administration. Despite the enormous cut in pay. At least he wasn’t fired on reality TV!
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