Talk shows - your opinion?

I was flicking channels today, and it was when I came across Jeremy Kyle on ITV that this topic came up in my mind.

What do you think of talk shows? Do they really do more good than bad, such as the host presenting advice that could apply to a home-viewer's situation? Or is it - and I quote - "human bear-baiting"?

Consider each one you think of, from shows like Maury, Jerry Springer, Steve Wilkos, Ricki Lake - and in the UK, shows like Trisha Goddard and Jeremy Kyle. Each show is different with how it deals with things. Some people describe such shows as 'human bear-baiting', for example when riled guests fling themselves at each other while an audience cheers or boos on, or on the other hand, a source of advice for those watching at home?

In my opinion 95% of talk shows are complete garbage, existing to show a false picture of the so called dredges and problems of modern society. These shows do very little to nothing to actually help the people that they put on their stages. The stories that get told are most often coached and sometimes even scripted to get better ratings. Even a few of the once better shows have become one hour commercials for an actors new movie, some 'doctor's' new trendy diet/lifestyle or an authors book. However like most anything else if people want to watch it that's up to them, me I'll watch something that either actually made for entertainment or educational.

Ghost Song

Depends on what the "style" of the show is. Jerry Springer is basically a trash-fest, and I've heard that a portion of what goes on there is even scripted. Maury and Montel Williams generally fall in a middle category -- not completely trash, but not exactly a feast for thought, either. Then there are shows like the ones belonging to Tyra Banks and Ellen DeGeneres -- shows that always or usually talk about real issues and cultural phenomena.

They aren't all bad, in my humble opinion. The trash-fests, though, I could do without.

Maybe we should open up a thread for civil discussion about political talk shows on TV and the radio, too? Since I could go on all day about that . . .

~ Ashaiel

I believe talk shows can be very useful, but shows like Jerry Springer and Maury are just pure trash. I enjoy watching some of the talk shows in the afternoon when I get a bit of down time to myself, but I prefer shows like Tyra and Rachel Ray that have decent topics and give out helpful information. I am not interested in the finding out paternity test or my wife is cheating on me with my prostitute sister. Ew.

I don't watch much television. When I do, then more often then not, it's anime. And then, it's not even technically television, since I watch from the internet. (dubs bug me)

Ashaiel Wrote:Depends on what the "style" of the show is. Jerry Springer is basically a trash-fest, and I've heard that a portion of what goes on there is even scripted. Maury and Montel Williams generally fall in a middle category -- not completely trash, but not exactly a feast for thought, either.

I agree. Springer, in my opinion, seems to be just a shock-value contest between the contestants. The few episodes I've watched, Jerry hardly talks at all and just leaves the contestants to scrap. <!-- s:shock: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_eek.gif" alt=":shock:" title="Shocked" /><!-- s:shock: -->

Maury isn't that bad, in my opinion. The paternity and cheating shows I can do without; but the shows in which they offer people makeovers, give disadvantaged families Christmas presents/days out or when they speak about real issues - can be more useful or interesting to the watcher at home. Unfortunately, the majority of Maury shows - at least the ones aired in the UK - are paternity shows.

momo Wrote:Maury isn't that bad, in my opinion. The paternity and cheating shows I can do without; but the shows in which they offer people makeovers, give disadvantaged families Christmas presents/days out or when they speak about real issues - can be more useful or interesting to the watcher at home.

Is Maury still doing that type of show? Seems like every day there is a baby-daddy show.

BlissfulIsis Wrote:Is Maury still doing that type of show? Seems like every day there is a baby-daddy show.

I'm not sure if the shows shown on our TV are up-to-date, but I've seen quite a lot of Maury shows dealing with makeovers, a show on plastic surgery and its risks, a few shows about the issue of domestic violence and a couple of shows talking to disadvantaged families and paying for them to have a day out or a holiday.

They might be a couple years old, though. *shrugs* I really am not sure. But you're right too, there is a LOT of "You're ma baby daddy!" shows.

momo Wrote:...there is a LOT of "You're ma baby daddy!" shows.

Shaquitiarellinda has had 23 men tested so far and NONE of them are her baby's father - will one of today's dozen be the father?? Tune in to find out. <!-- s:roll: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling Eyes" /><!-- s:roll: -->

I find most talk shows to be garbage, but then again, I find most television shows to be garbage. All I really watch is the news, but every now and then I find myself laughing along with Ellen DeGeneres. I have yet to hear a piece of advice from these shows except for maybe Oprah. Oprah gives me ideas for tasty, healthy snacks to nibble on.

- Keir