Despite observations that we are currently experiencing the ‘death of TV’, television shows no sign of giving up the ghost to newer media. The ubiquitous presence of TV—in our living rooms, bedrooms, and even kitchens—demands critical attention. This class will use a variety of approaches to assess the material, rhetorical, and cultural impact of a medium that many people seem eager to dismiss. But is it? Why do people continue to tune in? How has television adapted to the new media environment? What does the future of TV look like? This blog will consider all these questions and more.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Prepare Yourself for a Downfall

If you have a fear of heights or hate throwing away money than you may want to turn away now, because ABC is about to antagonize the hell out of you. Why is this happening? Because on June 22 ABC unleashes Downfall, a brand new game show taking place on top of a sky scrapper. Participants on the show are placed on top of a skyscraper and have to sit on a moving conveyer belt with several bungee cords lying around their feet. Making you feel squeamish yet, well you still have to hear the best part. The contestants are asked a series of questions and if they answer wrong they have to witness their potential prizes in front of them be thrown off the top of the skyscraper and shatter on the ground countless stories below. And with too many wrong answers the contestant gets thrown over the edge and has to rely on their bungee cords to keep them from becoming a human pancake.

Just from the previews I’ve seen a pool table, a wedding cake, and a brand new flat screen TV be obliterated. I mean how much money does ABC have? They are literally destroying several thousands of dollars worth of shit for a few seconds of jaw dropping TV. I still can’t believe it! Why can’t wrestling superstar host Chris Jericho just donate the valuable items to The Salvation Army, Goodwill, or just plain anybody who could benefit. I would willingly accept a brand new flat screen from the show; ABC doesn’t have to destroy it. Yeah it’s exciting and looks cool, but it’s also extremely wasteful and should not be tolerated. ABC seriously needs to consider how it uses the networks resources.


After watching a commercial for this show everyone has to agree that America is a now an undeniably wasteful nation. From the intro shots of prosperous U.S cities skylines to the fact that Chris Jericho is the host, the show has the label American Television written all over it. Enough is enough, the last thing this country needs is Downfall, an extremely wasteful show that takes no notice of global poverty and famine, America needs to consider prioritizing its values if we allow this show to stay on the air. In the midst of an economic recession the emphasis should be placed on using our limited resources wisely, instead of being wasteful. A better fitting title for the show would be The Downfall of American Priorities.

2 comments:

  1. This is pretty much the gist of what I was trying to say in my post last week about Minute to Win It. I can't believe there are more shows coming out like this, where networks are just throwing money away. It is kind of sickening to be honest, especially considering the circumstances you mentioned above. Why hasn't someone put an end to this?

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  2. I completely agree with you about how this show has “the label American Television written all over it”. People of various nationalities are constantly condoning our frivolous spending ways and what to we do to deny this claim? We make a show where if you don’t answer a question you have to watch something nice get destroyed. The humanity! Throw in a skyscraper for good measure and Chris Jericho’s Jack Bauer sounding voice, and you have a good old fashioned American values reunion.

    and GZabka, the reason why people haven't put an end to sickening shows like this is because there are people watching it, making them exponentially more money than they're losing. It’s a sad but true fact.

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