New Reality Show ExploitsThe Misery Of Unemployment

[G_j]

http://www.badidea.co.uk/2009/04/fox-and-endemol-capitalise-on-misery-of-unemployment-with-new-reality-show/

Fox And Endemol Capitalise On Misery Of Unemployment With New Reality Show

In the style of a media-driven dystopia the likes of which Alan Moore and Terry Gilliam could only hint at, Fox has commissioned the Endemol-conceived show “Someone’s Gotta Go!”, which tastelessly cashes in on the recession and its attendant misery.

Each week a small business is featured, and “helped” to make cuts by pitting employees against one another to vote for whose livelihood is to be destroyed. Added drama comes with the fact that employees will be allowed to inspect their company’s books, therefore revealing any (highly likely) pay discrepancies, and thus tapping the audience’s current anti-bonus hatred. Expect latent prejudices, minor annoyances, and shows dedicated to Kevin not refilling the photocopier, creating what Endemol suggest is “great TV”.

Surprisingly, there’s been a host of companies too yellow to fire their own staff, who are more than happy to let someone from Fox TV show up and orchestrate their workers’ demise for them. Endemol’s North American Director, David Goldberg, stated: “We’re always trying to find the next thing that is topical and timely in the zeitgeist. For a lot of people, it takes the pressure off them. As a boss myself, I don’t want to have to make those decisions. It’s safe to say it hasn’t been difficult to find companies willing to participate.”
In terms of resources the shows creators are onto a winner - US unemployment spiked at a 25 year high of 8.5% in March, and if something isn’t done about the auto industry, it looks to keep on creeping. if General Motors are allowed to go bankrupt, there could be as many as 1 million more jobs lost, sending the unemployment rate soaring to 11%.

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[Lint Head]

1. It's a 'mob rule' reality concept. The employees decide who they

don't like then fire them. It's the opposite of a republic as opposed to a democracy where the minority is not protected.
It's an experiment in fascism which Faux is good at promoting.

:dem:

[annabanana]

2. I urge people to go find a copy

of the movie
They Shoot Horses Don't They? from 1969

This is what's happening. The technology has just been updated.

check out this clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V04EPbaFSdA

[G_j]

7. I forgot about that movie

yes, very timely...

[annabanana]

8. I posted the trailer in Videos section. .

(go give it a k&r for me wouldja?)

[ShortnFiery]

3. How lovely.

Having worked mostly in the area of Addiction Counseling, I didn't think that "the media" could go any LOWER on a morality scale than to put people in such emotional pain (those addicted and their families) on national television.

Most mental health experts would concur that parading people who are struggling with addition issues on television and broadcasting their pain is NOT conducive to their healing process.

It's just vile for the sake of voyeurism.

I didn't think that the LAZY executives of our television entertainment industry could be any more morally bankrupt after seeing the above.

I was wrong.

Airing people who are SUFFERING with the threats of unemployment along with the prospect of immanent abject poverty is EVEN MORE VILE. :grr:

[zazen]

4. how bout, "He's Gonna Blow," an insider's view into the mad hijinks of batterers & their families

[Canuckistanian]

6. Or "Postal Delivery", where contestants confront their mean ex-coworkers

But just give them guns with blanks and watch the fun begin. Hi-larious!

[Canuckistanian]

5. I think it's a fair bet we won't see any executives on this "show"

The first person who gets laid off should sue

[G_j]

9. certainly not, though I bet it would raise the ratings

executives..not so popular these days..

[JI7]

10. it will probably be made up of people who want fame

the types you see on most reality tv shows . and they will try to make it seem like they represent the typical person that is unemployed and how they deserve it.