Or: how I learned that even I could find a reality show that I can't watch.
Seriously, I'm as shocked as anyone else here. I've proven that I will not only watch but also will enjoy virtually any show with a reality or elimination format. There have, of course, always been exceptions to this. For instance, I was never a fan of some of the half hour dating shows (Elimi-Date comes to mind immediately, if only because I had that stupid theme music stuck in my head for years), and I cannot stand any of the Bachelor(ette) shows, if only because I can't wrap my head around there being any one person worthy enough to have a dozen or so people fighting over them.
But I'll give most hourly shows a try. And most stick with me enough that I at least want to see how they end. But WCG Ultimate Gamer? Nope. Don't know, don't care.
For starters, the premise sounds cooler than it is. Each week, the chosen group of uber-gamers participate in two challenges based around a given game. The first challenge is a reality challenge, meaning they have to compete in some real life aspect of the game in question. For instance, during the Rock Band 2 episode, the gamers had to perform in an actual rock band. They're all ranked in this challenge and a round of playing the actual game later. The scores are added up, and the lowest ranked player is automatically marked for elimination. The highest ranked player then gets to choose who that person will face in the "Elimination Stadium".
Why does this idea fail? For starters, see my previous comments on why Starcade was superior to Nick Arcade. For a show based around games, there is surprisingly little of any given game shown. Even the final elimination showdown is edited down to the point where you barely get to see the game. It seems that maybe they should have put more time into that, especially after noting my second fault with the show.
The fault? What else? The contestants. I'll be the first to admit that not all gamers fall into the stereotype of being boring or geeks or losers or whatever it's trendy to call them these days. But the problem is that I find it hard to care about any of these people. They try to make interesting stories of rivalries or potential hookups, but the pseudo-attachment that normally forms with reality contestants is lacking here. I think, as best as I can tell, that they're just boring people, and forcing them to live in the same house together (Reality Show Convention #3) just doesn't give them the chance to be more appealing at all.
I really want to give the show more of a chance, but I don't think it's going to happen. Boring players + boring premise = me finding something better to do with my time. G4's dalliance with professional gaming fared much better in my opinion, but then again, they actually focused on... you know, the games.
2 comments:
not sure how many episodes you've seen but this show is ramping up in its excitement. No - it isn't all about the games - but so what - there are some human stories that are pretty compelling here - the chance to win the show and change your life forever - who knew gaming would ever allow you to do that. And i think people are missing the strategy that goes on in not only how you play the games but also how you play the other contestants.
tonights show should be great and Halo is next week - i'm excited to see that too.
I think I've seen two episodes thus far, the first one and the one from last week. I'll admit that the preview for this week's episode seems mildly interesting if only because some people seem to be using some types of strategy, so I might give this show one more chance, provided I get bored enough and there's nothing else on.
But like I said, the 'human' side of it just isn't appealing to me. Aside from the shared crushes and mutual discussions on who is and isn't a tool, I just can't find anything to care about. You are right in that there is drama, but it's not drama that I can get into.
"Change your life forever"? Sure, the money will do that, but the promise of money and/or fame is the lure that every show uses. I get why they're doing it, I just don't get why I should watch it. I think gaming should be competitive, and I think that it could even be a pretty solid spectator sport, but this show doesn't tweak the right bells for me. I can, however, say that I hold no ill will towards anyone that does enjoy it. It's just not my cup of tea.
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