bobad posted:
I've never watched one of these shows and never will. From the descriptions on this thread I am reminded of the "entertainment" served up to the masses in the arenas of ancient Rome.

This is just silly. Now, granted, in a few years we may see combat to the death and people being torn apart by exotic wild animals (well, unless PETA gets their way), but "American Idol" would probably have bored the hell out of an ancient Roman.

Here's a Roman-style version: Some public performances, a lot of drunken orgies, and the loser gets the chance to redeem himself in a trial by combat against either a polar bear or some big-ass serial killer armed with a spiked mace.

And again, there's nothing wrong with a freak show. There's something wrong with the debasement of art. Freak shows, like prostitutes, have been around forever, and they're not going anywhere, despite the best efforts of neo-Victorians who cry exploitation at the slightest and most questionable provocation.