30 Days, 6/15/05
#1
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Special Edition
30 Days, 6/15/05
From Academy Award nominee Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) comes 30 Days, a new series where Morgan will explore what life changing experiences are possible in 30 days. The concept for the show stemmed from the transformation Spurlock underwent when he ate nothing but fast food for 30 days in his movie Super Size Me. In this new FX series, Morgan Spurlock asks the question, what would happen if people spend 30 days living in someone else’s shoes? Find out the answer as he brings you 30 life changing days in one hour focusing on topics such as minimum wage, anti-aging strategies, and binge drinking.
Tonight's episode (PILOT):
I will be watching this based on the fact that I was very impressed with Supersize Me, and also on FX networks excellent track record for quality programming.
Tonight's episode (PILOT):
Spoiler:
I will be watching this based on the fact that I was very impressed with Supersize Me, and also on FX networks excellent track record for quality programming.
#2
DVD Talk God
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 133,155
Received 897 Likes
on
741 Posts
From: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV)
I think Morgan Spurlock is an idiot, but I will give this a shot simply because it is F/X and they have earned some loyalty from me.
Tonight's episode sounds like a total ripoff of Nickel and Dimed.
Tonight's episode sounds like a total ripoff of Nickel and Dimed.
#5
DVD Talk God
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 133,155
Received 897 Likes
on
741 Posts
From: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV)
Originally Posted by Groucho
I'll be watching. I thought Supersize Me was a good flick.
Never heard of "Nickel and Dimed."
Never heard of "Nickel and Dimed."
Not a reader, I take it.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: All things 'GO
#10
Banned
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Joliet, IL
The show tonight was really good. It showed how bad families struggle to stay afloat. Next week does not involve Morgan, so it looks like the shows taking a turn for the worst.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Chicago, IL
Excellent Excellent Excellent. Really puts things in perspective and how even though some of us are just middle class and act like we are SO poor, in reality, we have it great. Loved it. Can't wait for next weeks! Too bad it's on the same time as MTV's MADE, but MTV repeats things like 1000 times anyways.
#13
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by MovieMaster11
The show tonight was really good. It showed how bad families struggle to stay afloat. Next week does not involve Morgan, so it looks like the shows taking a turn for the worst.
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 20,195
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
7 Posts
From: Sesame Street (the apt. next to Bob's)
So, Spurlock's movie showed that eating junk food three meals a day is bad for you.
The first episode of his series shows that working for minimum wage is a tough life.
Spurlock really puts himself out on a limb, doesn't he?
The first episode of his series shows that working for minimum wage is a tough life.
Spurlock really puts himself out on a limb, doesn't he?
#18
DVD Talk Special Edition
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Pataskala, OH
It's repeating a few times I believe. Next few showings according to Tivo:
6/16 2:01am
6/18 12:05am
6/19 11:05pm
I liked the show overall.
My wife and I moved to the Columbus area a few years ago from northern NJ because she got an excellent job offer and the cost of living is much less. I had major difficulty finding a job after being well employed in NJ. After sending out over 100 resumes and finding nothing I wanted to do, I ended up just starting my own business.
Anyone catch Alex throwing away the stems of the broccoli? Force of habit probably. I like the stems!
6/16 2:01am
6/18 12:05am
6/19 11:05pm
I liked the show overall.
My wife and I moved to the Columbus area a few years ago from northern NJ because she got an excellent job offer and the cost of living is much less. I had major difficulty finding a job after being well employed in NJ. After sending out over 100 resumes and finding nothing I wanted to do, I ended up just starting my own business.
Anyone catch Alex throwing away the stems of the broccoli? Force of habit probably. I like the stems!
#20
DVD Talk God
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 133,155
Received 897 Likes
on
741 Posts
From: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV)
Now I thought this was much much better than Super Size Me.
Living off minimum wage has to be very tough and this was a pretty good real world demonstration of it. However, if the point he is trying to make is that the minimum wage needs to be raised, then (as was briefly pointed out), that could very well do more harm than good. Also, it seemed to bash the health care system, and one need only look north to see that universal health care isn't all sunshine and lollipops.
Next week's ep looks rather lame though. I'm looking forward to the Muslim one.
Living off minimum wage has to be very tough and this was a pretty good real world demonstration of it. However, if the point he is trying to make is that the minimum wage needs to be raised, then (as was briefly pointed out), that could very well do more harm than good. Also, it seemed to bash the health care system, and one need only look north to see that universal health care isn't all sunshine and lollipops.
Next week's ep looks rather lame though. I'm looking forward to the Muslim one.
Last edited by Red Dog; 06-16-05 at 08:11 AM.
#23
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,407
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: I was here but I disappear
Originally Posted by j123vt_99
what are the premises for some of the upcoming episodes?
couch potato taking steroids and anti-aging crap, environment, christian living as a muslim, straight "homophobe" living in a gay environment (SF's Castro district), typical consumers move "Off the grid" and live entirely off nature and self-susistence, soccer mom becomes a binge drinker...
The next one sounds the weakest. Still, an interesting show. The pilot was very good, but those who actually were surprised by some of it should DEFINITELY read Nickel and Dimed. It goes a lot deeper.
#24
DVD Talk God
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 133,155
Received 897 Likes
on
741 Posts
From: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV)
Originally Posted by Mopower
I really hope they don't have the girlfriend on anymore. She bitched for just about the whole show.
She's a woman, isn't she. What do you expect?
#25
DVD Talk Hero
Even after the X-rays, they never did say what was wrong with his wrist - I'm guessing he was just sore... and his fiancée’s infection would heal over time - that two doctor visits/expenses they could have done without. I'm not saying that would make things easy, but it's seemed like they may have planned the health care stuff in advance and that was their way of addressing it.
But I totally agree with his overall point - it is motherfucking tough as shit to even survive on minimum wage, much less live on it. And unless you live it yourself, you will never understand. Imagine how much harder it would've been if he was somewhere where the cost of living was much higher. I did something similar with my church group called Urban Plunge - but that was only for a week, and it was more of an assistance program. Anyways, at the very least, I think he's helping to at least open people's eyes to the plight of these people: Waking up, taking the bus to a physically demanding job, going to a second job getting home after 18 hours, eating a cheap meal, going to sleep, repeat - this is not a life.
As far as increasing minimum wage, even as a business owner, I feel it is far too low, and I pay even my starting employees double it, as I would feel horrible paying them minimum wage. It might mean less profits, but what good are extra profits if the people you rely on can barely make a living?
But I totally agree with his overall point - it is motherfucking tough as shit to even survive on minimum wage, much less live on it. And unless you live it yourself, you will never understand. Imagine how much harder it would've been if he was somewhere where the cost of living was much higher. I did something similar with my church group called Urban Plunge - but that was only for a week, and it was more of an assistance program. Anyways, at the very least, I think he's helping to at least open people's eyes to the plight of these people: Waking up, taking the bus to a physically demanding job, going to a second job getting home after 18 hours, eating a cheap meal, going to sleep, repeat - this is not a life.
As far as increasing minimum wage, even as a business owner, I feel it is far too low, and I pay even my starting employees double it, as I would feel horrible paying them minimum wage. It might mean less profits, but what good are extra profits if the people you rely on can barely make a living?
Last edited by slop101; 06-16-05 at 10:54 AM.




