Deal or No Deal: Greed, Banality, and the Further Decline of Western Culture
I saw an episode of the NBC game show Deal or No Deal tonight. Holy Crap, man!
I thought I had seen it all. I thought that no mere prime-time tv game show could kindle the kind of feelings in my heart and my head right now. I thought that I could not be moved. I expected to pass the time feeling empty and valueless, not frustrated, furious, flames... on the sides of my face!
...but I digress.
So: I was watching this spent remains left crusting on the bedside tissue of some brainless marketing drone, when I was struck by a thought, an idea, a realization, an epiphany, a divine message microwaved directly to my cerebral cortex. Actually, it was a series of images and concepts (much like those constantly churning around in my head) that locked together like the teeth of an unlubricated differential in fifth gear. They were:
- This show requires absolutely nothing of the contestants.
- This show induces severe emotional stress in its contestants.
- This show claims to offer the opportunity to initiate major positive change in the contestant's life, without any effort applied on the contestant's part.
- This show equates money with happiness.
- This show's premise is so moronic, that it requires 26 sexy women in skimpy clothes in order to distract the viewer.
- This show objectifies women (see previous.)
- Finally, the one that locked all the other thoughts together: This show is insanely popular, occupies a prime time slot on a major television network, and is watched by millions of people in this country and overseas.
Look at this show in further detail, consider its popularity, and you can use this as a poignant illustration of the further downward spiral of our society. Then, consider that entertainment media is one of the primary exports of this country, and exemplifies Western culture in some parts of the world. Consider that, and realize, perhaps, why Americans carry the reputation that we do overseas.
So the show's premise is this: There are 26 briefcases randomly containing amounts of money from one cent to one million dollars. The contestant selects a briefcase, but does not open it. The contestant then opens several briefcase, eliminating possible their values from pool of prize money that his briefcase potentially holds. After several eliminations, a "banker" offers to buy the contestant out of the game for a certain amount based on the potential values in play. If the contestant agrees to the deal, then he leaves with the scratch. If he says "no deal" then he must select other briefcases to open, thus elimitating other items on the board and causing the "banker" to revise his offer. Offers are increased or decreaced as options are eliminated, based on the probability of a high value in the contestant's case. The game continues until either the contestant accepts an offer or opens all the cases, at which point he keeps the value contained in his case.
<0br> Oh, and there are models. 26 of them. Each holding a briefcase. 26 Vanna White wanabees waiting for their turn to seductively stroke a briefcase.
Remember, friends, that this show is incredibly popular, and nothing nothing goes unplanned and unscripted for shows like this. The show's host, Mephistopholes in the form of Howie Mandel, shaved bald with a soul patch, begins the show with promises to the contestant of "this can change your life! This can give you a better life!"
Those lines are scripted -- they are spoken as the Word from the corporate masters on high and delivered via Howie Mandel to the eyes, ears, and heart of the watching consumers: "Money is happiness! Money will make your life better! Our sponsors shall provide if thou art worthy. Consume!"
The game is mostly chance. The contestants are not required to do anything more than randomly select a briefcase and occasionally answer a boolean question. There is no skill involved, and neither the contestants nor the audience are required to think. Hell, even the probabilities are calculated for you. Imagine, if you will, a graphic flying across the screen "1 in 4 -- 25% chance for $750,000." As if the viewing audience couldn't figure that out!
The game seems to reenforce an entitlement mentality. The contestants are rewarded simply for showing up and guessing !
Now lets talk about the women on this show:
26 B-list "models" (who seem to be on vacation from their porn and beer commercial careers) whose sole collective purpose is to look sexy and hold a briefcase. They are trotted out like cattle at the beginning of each show, forced to stand and pose until called on, and then are talked down to by the host. His condecending attitude towards them, and his apparent irritation when one of them speaks up, makes me feel embarassed on their behalf. Ladies, if this is where decades of fighing for sufferage and then equality has led us, you might as well put on the apron and get back in the kitchen, June , 'cause it ain't working.
...and on top of all of this:
During the commercial breaks we, the viewers, are innundated with credit card and financial adverts. "Buy! Borrow! Get this car, this mortgage, this line of credit. This is what you need to be happy! Consume, and indebt thyself to the corporate machine! Work, eat, watch, consume!"
Folks, we are dying here. The lender's society, the credit society, the corporate society is winning. We need to stop, turn of the tube, take a deep breath, read a book, think for ourselves, and turn this boat around before we get too much further out into the depths.
You have been warned.
Think. Refuse. Rebel.
3 Comments:
finally someone agrees with me! Amen! everything you said, you hit the nail on the head!!
http://psychomom.blog.com/
Does anyone think the eye candy is getting out of hand? It seems that almost every game show I see now has models dressed up scantily clad, with push up bras and short skirts exuding sex appeal.
Is it now MEN'S television? ...come on.....50% of the viewers are women.....
Women shouldn't have to "not mind" it or tolerate it by looking the other way. They should be able to enjoy tv shows and not feel uneasy about public television game shows. There is "SPIKE" tv for chauvanistic tv and for males viewing pleasure.
Maybe just either dont have excessive amounts of female eye candy, or ....here's a thought, make it equal and have male eye candy for the female viewers as well. Sometimes women enjoy looking at sexy men. Why can't they be in tight tank tops, showing their biceps and pecks? Why don't we ever see that, and only sexy women? I feel that is unfair and sexist.
The only show I can think of that doesn't have sexy models is "Family Feud" LOL
and there are shows like Wheel of Fortune that aren't sexist in my opinion.
Vanna White is dressed like a lady and wears evening gowns looking very elegant.
But one show that I think is totally sexist, has uneccessary provacatively dressed models, and that I don't watch because of it is "Deal or No Deal" http://www.nbc.com/Deal_or_No_Deal/playwin/dondregister.shtml
Is this a TV game show, or a competition for Playboy Magazine? Their advertisement shows 3 women wearing tight clothes showing a huge amount of cleavage. Then 3 other featured models with quotes "meet the models" "meet the upcoming models"
It doesn't look like a tv show, it looks like an adult modeling agency or dating service that has a game show on the side. Anyone kinda turned off by this sex sells image when it comes to family game shows? I know sex sells a lot and probably more so for men. But it doesn't sell me. I love game shows, but I don't watch this one cause of the objectification of women. I thought families liked to sit around and watch these type shows? Since when does family and sexy models go together?
Here is another show that I can't bring myself to watch. When it debuted, once again it was hard for me to focus on the game because they had what appeared to be go-go dancers wearing bikini tops, and short skirts. http://www.nbc.com/The_Singing_Bee/
I read that there were complaints. Viewers felt it was not only unappropriate the way they were dressed but also the way they were dancing. Hello.....we aren't in an 18+ club with go-go dancers in cages. It's a game show that families watch. Do we have to bring sexuality into everything?
The "interview with the honeybees" video made my boobs hurt just watching it. The tight skimpy outfits are so clearly meant to "enhance" their figure. The woman on the left looked like her boobs were squeezed together so hard that they were going to pop out and hit the girl next to her giving her a black eye. Does anyone that watches that video actually look at her FACE? .....I was too distracted myself. I just wouldn't feel comfortable and dont think others would either watching that show....especially say, with your 7 year old daughter. When the girls are dressed like NFL cheerleaders which are known for being over the top sexy, go-go dancers, or people say they look like "Hooters girls"....I think people will agree....its a bit MUCH.
http://www.nbc.com/The_Singing_Bee/photos/#cat=308&sec=959&mea=24606
any shorter of a skirt on honey bee"Ferly", and you can see her Kootch. Great example for young girls....as you can see on the website, there is praise from the men (of course DUH, cause its a "mans world" and the pervs need tending) and then there are complaints from the women saying the "bees" look like hooters girls with too short of skirts.
Lame show, Lame Lame Lame......I would have liked to watch this show but it blows because its yet ANOTHER show that uses sex (women) to sell.....
I watch "Dont forget the Lyrics" Instead. They are able to have a fun game show without sexy models, go go dancers, eye candy, big boobs, and short skirts....who would have thought that was possible!?!?!
I should like to point out that the British version of Deal or No Deal, which predates the US version, contains no such women. It is filled with civilian contestants - of all walks of life and all shapes and sizes.
But it is NBC who believe that in order to sell the show to the American people they MUST fill it with beautiful women. They underestimate the American viewing public, dumb things down and sexualise them needlessly - all the while assuming Americans want it that way.
The format of the show itself is interesting. It is a game of absolute pure luck. There is much superstition and tension built, but the best player of a game would be someone prepared to calculate probabilities as the game is played out and not rely on absolute pure luck.
I saw one episode on TV here in England tonight which the girl was left with £750, £100k and £250k. She was offered £51k. She started the show with nothing and managed to be offered £51k for a box which she didn't know the contents of. She gambled it all away and I hate to report that by pure luck she was rewarded with £100k. Now it is pure greed which fuels the contestants into such ridiculous gambles. I'd like to see an episode with someone more calm, calculating and disconnected.
I should like to point out that the British version of Deal or No Deal, which predates the US version, contains no such women. It is filled with civilian contestants - of all walks of life and all shapes and sizes.
But it is NBC who believe that in order to sell the show to the American people they MUST fill it with beautiful women. They underestimate the American viewing public, dumb things down and sexualise them needlessly - all the while assuming Americans want it that way.
The format of the show itself is interesting. It is a game of absolute pure luck. There is much superstition and tension built, but the best player of a game would be someone prepared to calculate probabilities as the game is played out and not rely on absolute pure luck.
I saw one episode on TV here in England tonight which the girl was left with £750, £100k and £250k. She was offered £51k. She started the show with nothing and managed to be offered £51k for a box which she didn't know the contents of. She gambled it all away and I hate to report that by pure luck she was rewarded with £100k. Now it is pure greed which fuels the contestants into such ridiculous gambles. I'd like to see an episode with someone more calm, calculating and disconnected.
Barry - brill_dave at hotmail.com
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