Reality television for the college set
It seems that I can’t turn the TV on anymore without seeing a reality series or at least an ad for one. To be truthful I don’t really care who the Celebrity Mole is or who survived where. How realistic is it to be stranded in a foreign land with a group of teammates that are out to get you anyway? It’s like a “Gilligan’s Island” episode gone bad.
Reality programming could be much improved if they took a few tips from college students. Not only would they be far more interesting, they might actually have some basis in reality. Here are just a few ideas that might be worth watching:
Date with a Frat Boy
“Date with a Frat Boy” takes one lucky girl on an evening of adventure. It may take a couple of minutes for the pair to warm up to one another, but after a few keg stands they’ll be all over each other as if they had met last weekend.Watch him woo his lucky date with a Styrofoam cup with her name on it. And what better way to bond than a game of doubles beer pong?
Will she pass out at the fraternity house? Will he spill beer on her? Can she go shot for shot with him? Will he remember her name? Tune in and see.
The Walk of Shame Web-Cam
Ever wonder where your suitemate stayed last night? You can stop questioning now with the Walk of Shame Web-Cam. By simply installing cameras in each hallway in the residence halls and maybe even local apartments you’ll always know what your pals are up to. It’s a great way to get closer to your friends and neighbors.
The possibilities don’t stop there. Have you ever wondered where your favorite shirt went? Wonder no more. With the playback feature you can find out if the girl/guy who shacked up with you last night left with a souvenir.
Gold-digger
Who needs a Ph.D. when an Mrs. can be so quick and easy? Each week one lucky woman will go out on the town with three handsome men. Behind man number one and man number two is a load of debt and a middle class income, but number three is hiding the trust fund.
Each man will pick an activity for the date and will get 20 minutes alone with her. If she correctly identifies Mr. Rich it’s smooth sailing for her. Find out if she can spot the real Armani suit or if she’ll be stuck with the blue-collar boy.
“That guy”
Do you have a friend who often is “That guy” at parties? He could be that guy that drunk dials all of his exes, that guy who falls down after two or three shot, or even that guy that can’t keep his clothes on after nine or ten shots.
Now, you can nominate “That Guy” to be followed around by television cameras for a night of bar hopping. The show will even provide video conferencing services to really enhance his drunk dialing.
There are hundreds of other factual scenarios that would lend themselves to a prime time format without losing their entertainment value. With all of the options out there, it’s surprising that an entire genre of television aimed at young adults almost completely ignores what is reality for thousands of college students.
There is something intriguing and almost bewildering about seeing people much like yourself on TV, in situations that you have actually faced. Hopefully networks will catch on to this and we won’t be stuck wondering: where is the reality in reality TV?
