The Great American Roadtrip: Proof that Ideas are in short supply

I'm sure that we're all familiar with the categories that shows on television fall into. We have our cartoons, our educationals, our sitcoms, and of course, reality television, but let's delve into a deeper subdivision of categories. T.V that should exist, and T.V that shouldn't. This could get nasty.

So, for the sake of not making a fool of myself with false information, I decided it'd be best to do a little research. I found a website, and since it was first on the search engine, it's got to be the best right? So, click-click, I'm venturing this website, being shocked and awed by the genius shows coming to us in the very near future. This beautiful line-up includes the following show that caught my interest very quickly:

THE GREAT AMERICAN ROADTRIP

T.V's most televised family roadtrip!

This one I had to look into myself. It's scheduled to appear on NBC this Tuesday it seems, and boy are we excited! Here is how the network chose to describe their new masterpiece.

"...a hilarious and relatable new series where seven families from divergent backgrounds are selected to take the journey of a lifetime. Over eight episodes, the families will travel through cities large and small, all while competing in a medley of humorous challenges that will ultimately lead one family to victory..."

I'm already seeing problems with this. "A hilarious and relatable new series where seven families from divergent backgrounds are selected to take the journey of a lifetime..." The Journey of a lifetime!displayed over eight episodes. I'll be frank, if the creator of this show believes that the journey of a lifetime can be displayed in eight 30-minute segments, then I'm about ready to call it quits. Obviously, they're exaggerating for viewers, since The Amazing Race of CBS sounds and looks a little more appealing, but there's a large difference between an exaggeration and a fabrication.Secondly, what's the deal with the "divergent backgrounds" in at least 60% of all reality t.v shows. I do realize that it makes the show and station look racially friendly, accepting, what have you, but there is always ONE family of each divergent background. Sure, throw different races and backgrounds into shows, but let's for the sake of individuality rather than episode topics. I'll compare it to a different reality tv show that alot of us may recall, Wifeswap. Every episode was supposed to be made interesting by one major conflict between the lifestyles of the families. The producers of the show didn't name episodes simply because it was unneccesary, but I'm sure if they did, it would be something like this...

Episode 24: The Atheists vs. The Christians

Episode 32: The Financial Gap: Escape from the Ghetto

Episode 68: "Your Family Eats THIS??"

Get my drift? Early on, they want you to pick favorites. How so? Simply look at the skin tone on your arm, or think of what day you attend your religious sanctuary. It's that simple. In a perfect world, producers would be able to walk into a home on that fateful Tuesday night, and hear the echoes of "GO JEWS" throughout the hallways. I'm sure at that time, a tear of satisfaction would roll down their cheeks, and it would quickly form into a dollar, floating ever so gingerly off of their face and into their pockets. Perhaps I'm being too critical of this new reality entertainment, perhaps I'm looking too deeply into the specifics of this one in particular, but let's think of the last semi-intelligent reality show aired, and whether or not it includes singing or dancing with a few stars. I think you'll find that we can come to an agreement.