It’s official: American game shows have gone down the crapper. They were already teetering on the brink of the pointless, what with the inception of shows such as Deal or No Deal and The Singing Bee. Now, with the recent renewing of NBC’s Minute to Win It for a second season, it’s confirmed that there is little to no intelligence required to become a multi-thousand-aire.
The basis of Minute to Win It is for people to finish mindless tasks within a minute; once the task is completed the contestant moves up to the next monetary level. If, however, the contestant doesn’t complete the task, he/she loses a life; lose three lives and the game is over and the contestant walks away with the amount of money that came with the last completed task. Here is an example of one:
(Seriously? That guy just scored $1000 for pulling tissues out of a box? I do that all the time when I’m sick. NBC, I’ll be expecting my check in the mail.)
It’s been said that children emulate what they see on TV and, along the same lines, that TV reflects American society of the time. Minute to Win It is a prime example that America is getting stoopider and stoopider. This show requires no intelligence and no athletic ability. Why have kids go to school if they can just grow up and be given free money for shaking ping pong balls out of a tissue box? Even role models like Kevin Jonas (ZOMG, he is SUCH a dreamboat) are getting in on the act (although, to be fair, his winnings were donated to charity).
I propose a couple amendments to the rules of Minute to Win It:
1. After completing said mindless task, the contestant must answer a high school level question. If answered correctly, contestant moves on to the next monetary level; answer wrong and lose a life. Three wrong answers or three incomplete challenges and the contestant goes home with the previously completed monetary level.
2. Get contestants on the show that are unemployed with a college diploma and have families to support. If NBC is going to give away free money, they may as well give it away to a worthy cause. The contestants don’t have to have epic sob stories. Everyone has a little bad luck sometimes.
I just get a bad vibe out of this game. It paints a picture of American laziness and that all one has to do to make money is balance some Ding Dongs on your head. I think these rule changes get the game going in a more positive direction and would actually make the game more entertaining.
Once upon a time, the rest of the world emulated everything American. Let's hope they don't copy Minute to Win It because if they do, the world is doomed.
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I was so confused the first time I saw this show! I was soooo suprised that they were actually giving away money for these lame tasks! I totally agree with you in terms of this being a bad representation of American intelligence. I also like the idea of putting people on the show who really need the money.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with both of you. If we are in such a bad economy; then how can we literally be throwing money at the most ridiculous things ever? Oh and one more question; why is Guy Ferrari, a food network show guy, hosting a show that has literally no connection to the food network?
ReplyDeleteI love watching this show because its just like any college party's drinking games. BUT you get money if you win! Last time I watched, the contestant had to play water (beer) pong in one of her final challenges. Another contestant had to move pretzel rings from one place to another by only using a straw in his mouth. I know that its cheap entertainment... but I'll be the first to admit that I am thoroughly entertained!
ReplyDeleteI love Guy on the Food Network (Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives!), but I doubt I could handle him talking about anything other than food. I feel just about the same way about throwing money at lame contestants. My show to use as an example though is "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?" I can't stand seeing that show and watching the contestants fail 5th grade.
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