Alternate Reality TV

My biggest problem with television – besides the obvious - is the serious lack of creativity and imagination put forth by the small number of non-reality programs that are currently running.  Don’t get me wrong, there are a number of unique, well-written shows on the air - Fringe, The Office, Breaking Bad, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia come to mind – but for each one of those, there are 30 others like CSI: Location, The Ghost Whisperer, or Law & Order: Some Initials.  Some of my favorite shows (and movies) have made a habit of intentionally poking fun at their own industry – and there is plenty to make fun of at the present time.  This is usually done in one of two ways, (1) by offering a satirical take on current, popular shows, or (2) by offering their own insight into what they believe will be the future of American entertainment.  These spoofs are intended to be far-fetched to the point of absurdity, but I have to say that some of them have all the makings of a quality TV program.  Here are a few great ideas that were initially created in jest, but could be successful if some network is willing to break away from the norm.

Family Guy is one of the wildest, most controversial series on TV right now; this animated show is famous for its cutaways gags and flashbacks, which often feature parodies from a wide variety of topics or current events - and these are jam packed into a 22-minute episode each week.  Over the course of eight seasons, Seth MacFarlane and the gang seemed to have stumbled upon a few great show ideas that TV executives should be taking into consideration…and The Cleveland Show isn’t one of them.  These ideas range across the spectrum too, from reality shows like Fast Animals, Slow Children to hard-hitting cop dramas like Gumbel 2 Gumbel: Beach Justice.  My favorite, however, was once the cornerstone of the PTV (Peter TV) programming block, and a show most guys would probably tune in for – even though it would probably find a home on E! or TMZ:

The Simpson’s staff has employed top notch comedy writers every year over its 20 year history (just saying that makes me feel old), and their creativity is unparalleled in the world of fake television programming.  As a family that spends a majority of their time in front of the boob tube, the Simpsons have witnessed countless faux shows come and go  – Knightboat (like Knight Rider, but with a boat), The Mattel and Mars Bar Quick Energy Chocobot Hour, Tied to a Bear, and When Buildings Collapse, are just a few of the classics that I can remember.  In my opinion, the show-within-a-show that has the most potential for real TV success is the sadistic cartoon duo known as Itchy & Scratchy.  Yes, I realize they may be a little bit too violent for young children; but if I had kids, I would rather them watch Itchy & Scratchy than some Sponge in khaki shorts and a tie, or a foursome of colorful aliens who speak gibberish and put out that extra-terrestrial pedophile vibe:  

Reality shows wore out their welcome a long time ago, because most of the ideas for shows keep getting worse as opposed to better.  As a matter of fact, reality appears to be the farthest thing from the minds of those who create these shows anymore – for instance, who dates in the dark or signs up for an STD?  You hardly ever see legitimate issues being tackled on these shows (even The Real World is anything but real); our economy is spiraling down the rabbit hole, crime is on the up, and prisons all across the world are overcrowded.  I can hear you now, “But Silky, what kind of reality show could possibly cure any of our societal ills?”  Well, I have three words for all of you naysayers – The Running Man.  Why let prisoners on death row live the good life behind bars, when they could be forced to participate in a survivor-style death match on live television for all the world to see?