Reality TV gone too far
 

http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/sto...415592,00.html :shocked:

Not sure what's the most shocking - the fact the guy killed himself or the attitude of the show's presenters!

Re: Reality TV gone too far
 

In that article though, it doesn't say why he commited suicide. I think The Guardian (impartial as ever) is trying to lead people into believing the show is responsible as that is the agenda they want to push. It could well be a conincidence. There is no evidence in there that the show is related to the suicide. The article did say he was enthusiastic about joining the show as it was "a sign from God".

*dons flame proof suit* If it was because of the show, TBH, I really don't feel for him at all. He should have known what he was getting into it. He accepted the risks, it was his descision to go in. All reality show contestants recieve constant psychiatiric evalutations and help. That help was still available to him after the show. It was his descision as well to end his life in that way.

I do feel for his girlfriend and family though, I really do.

Re: Reality TV gone too far
 

Doesn't say why he topped himself,

Whose to say it is anything to with the show. It would appear that he was very happy to appear in it and was paid well.

Actually sounds like a good show.

Re: Reality TV gone too far
 

There's no cause and effect shown in this case but on a wider note some of the new breed of reality shows do seem a bit cavalier in their treatment of contestants.

Apparently there's a UK show planned shortly in which contestants will be held captive and suffer the milder Guantanamo torture and deprivation techniques. Not sure what it hopes to demonstrate.

Re: Reality TV gone too far
 

Re: Reality TV gone too far
 

I don't know if they did or not, but it would have been nice if NBC had asked for his family's (& his girlfriend's) permission before showing the series.

Re: Reality TV gone too far
 

The trouble is with that though, is not only has the series cost them $26m in advance, and it would leave a sizable hole in the TV shedule, but advertises have probably sign contracts and obligations with the series. To just can the series would cost the $26m, plus what it takes to break their advertising agreements, plus the cost of some replacement, plus all profits based on that series, including DVDs etc. I doubt the victim's family would pay it, and I am sure their insurance company wouldn't. That is a real big loss, even for a network TV company to swallow, on something to keep a few people (less than 10 I guess?) happy.

Re: Reality TV gone too far
 

True, it probably isn't feasable to drop the whole series, but they could have re-edited it (if the family wanted) to not include the contestant (the producer did give the excuse that to re-edit the program would have stopped it being true reality TV, but they did that by editing it initially).

Re: Reality TV gone too far
 

Difficult (impossible probably) to edit out the contestant..........