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-   -   Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired? (https://forum.dvdtalk.com/tv-talk/553125-fox-air-reality-show-about-real-workers-getting-fired.html)

Sorraffy 04-08-09 11:39 PM

Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 

Someone's Gotta Go — and everyone gets to watch.

Inspired by the recession, Fox has picked up a new reality series in which real struggling businesses will ax staff on-camera, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

There's a twist, of course: Each week, the employees — not the boss — will choose the unlucky staffer.

Internal company files, such as budgets, HR data, and salaries, will be open to each pink-slipping team of 15 to 20 employees.

Production on the show has already started, but there is no word yet on a premiere date. Someone will be hosted by a yet-to-be-named business expert, who will pull double duty as a consultant for the participating businesses.

What do you think? Should Fox sack the idea, or would you like to watch someone get sacked?
TVGuide.com

For a second there I was unsure if I should put this in the "Politics and World Events" forum since Fox will essentially be adding to unemployment numbers with this show.

Controversial show, I'm sure Fox Execs. won't think twice about not putting this show on television.

My Other Self 04-08-09 11:45 PM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 
Wow.

I dunno, that could drive someone to suicide.

DeanoBKN 04-09-09 12:17 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 
Only FOX...

RichC2 04-09-09 12:30 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 
^which means they'll get mauled by a bear on their way out.

Hopefully the people getting laid off/fired will get some $$ out of the deal, some public humiliation for a little financial security. Or it'll just turn out like Swimming with Sharks with a Fox head in Kevin Spacey's role. Or something more akin to what happened in New York last week.

Kevin M. Dean 04-09-09 12:33 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 
.... as long as the company they're working for is Fox and they sack a few network executives...

Jimmy James 04-09-09 01:03 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 

Originally Posted by Kevin M. Dean (Post 9377858)
.... as long as the company they're working for is Fox and they sack a few network executives...

If they really have balls, this would be the pilot/first episode (do reality shows have pilots?).

It's Fox. They've done worse.

TheKing 04-09-09 01:10 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 

Originally Posted by Sorraffy (Post 9377808)
TVGuide.com

For a second there I was unsure if I should put this in the "Politics and World Events" forum since Fox will essentially be adding to unemployment numbers with this show.

Controversial show, I'm sure Fox Execs. won't think twice about not putting this show on television.

How do you figure they're adding to the unemployment rate with this show?

These companies would probably lay off more people if not for this agreement. I'm not saying this show is a good idea, and it really is tasteless, but FOX isn't putting people out of work, they're just putting the process on the air.

DJariya 04-09-09 01:38 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 
I'm a pretty big supporter of FOX's scripted programs (24, House, Bones etc)

But, besides Idol and Hell's Kitchen, their Reality TV department is absolute crap. Noone wants to sit in front of their TV to see people lose their jobs and I don't know anyone will think it's entertaining or funny. I hope this show gets alot of pre-buzz backlash and FOX will have no choice but to not air it. Put this shit on FOX Reality. This has no place in Primetime Network TV especially in a recession.

rfduncan 04-09-09 07:49 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 

Originally Posted by DJariya (Post 9377925)
Noone wants to sit in front of their TV to see people lose their jobs and I don't know anyone will think it's entertaining or funny.

Don't be so sure. Never underestimate how low those Neilsen viewers will go. That "someone else's life sucks more than yours" concept can be a huge draw, and FOX is counting on that. (While in a separate vein, COPS has been on for how long now?)

How about those reality shows that drag in viewers who watch for the carnage factor rather than cheering any one particular contestant on? This show is 100% carnage and will certainly appeal to a staggering amount of reality viewers.


Originally Posted by DJariya (Post 9377925)
I hope this show gets alot of pre-buzz backlash and FOX will have no choice but to not air it. Put this shit on FOX Reality.

I concur.

spainlinx0 04-09-09 09:58 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 
I will watch a lot of reality garbage, particularly the VH1 "celeb" and "love" shows, but I cannot see myself tuning in for this.

Original Desmond 04-09-09 06:45 PM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 
The fame however small these people will get from the show will ensure they get employed somewhere so don't feel sorry for them

Neeb 04-10-09 02:32 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 

Originally Posted by Jimmy James (Post 9377890)
If they really have balls, this would be the pilot/first episode (do reality shows have pilots?).

It's Fox. They've done worse.

Like getting George Bush elected in 2004.

the big train 04-10-09 04:24 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 

Originally Posted by rfduncan (Post 9378139)
How about those reality shows that drag in viewers who watch for the carnage factor rather than cheering any one particular contestant on? This show is 100% carnage and will certainly appeal to a staggering amount of reality viewers.

I think you're underestimating people. CBS tried something just as low rent and it didn't pay off.

Goat3001 04-10-09 07:27 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 
I thought Fox couldn't sink any lower than Moment of Truth. I stand corrected.

But I guess it isn't all that bad (for the person getting fired) once you dissect it. They were going to get fired anyway, now they get the opporitunity to let it happen to them on TV (they do have to sign something before it airs, right?) and they'll probably get some money out of it.

rfduncan 04-10-09 07:42 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 

Originally Posted by the big train (Post 9380114)
I think you're underestimating people. CBS tried something just as low rent and it didn't pay off.

I don't know. This is quite a different concept in a much different economy. It is not voyeurism like watching the usual "watch people compete" show. It is watching people lose. While you can sympathize, you can enjoy the fact that it could but isn't happening to you. Feeds on misery... the example you gave is little more than your average contest show that just sucked. Not at all good example to promote your argument versus my point. Carnage.

Draven 04-10-09 09:35 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 
First episode will pull big numbers for a new show. It'll drop after that and Fox will cancel it before the first season is complete.

I won't be watching, as I think every reality show is complete garbage. This sounds like more of the same.

Torchur317 04-10-09 09:48 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 
That's horrible....

Brian Shannon 04-10-09 10:05 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 

What do you think? Should Fox sack the idea, or would you like to watch someone get sacked?
Where is the proof that this is really happening? Other than the fact that FOX says so? :lol:

cleaver 04-10-09 11:06 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 

Originally Posted by mcfly (Post 9377814)
Wow.

I dunno, that could drive someone to suicide.

I always thought that was the goal of reality television - like that show with the lie detector.

resinrats 04-10-09 11:20 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 
What a F'd up show. Why would the person getting fired agree to have their picture shown? The fact that employees get to choose who to fire might end up with someone getting canned that doesn't deserve it. Some guy might be a jerk (or could be as lame as someone that brought the worst dish to the company lunch) but still could be the best worker there. I smell lawsuits. The show might be less offensive if it was a sort of Punked type show where the person really isn't fired.

What's next FOX? Any more tastless shows? How about these?

"Evicted" Watch as people are thrown out of their home and have to go live in tents.

"You've got cancer" Hidden cameras watch as doctors tell patients they have cancer. Sweeps week has the ones that have a month to live.

"Dead Baby" Again hidden cameras watch as doctors tell pregnet women that their baby has died.

"Fallen Heroes" Cameras go along with the officers who tell family members that their loved one has died in Iraq/Afganistan.

"Rape Inc." Cameras film people coming to the hospital after being raped.

Breakfast with Girls 04-10-09 12:03 PM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 
Fuck Fox.

wirefan 04-10-09 08:59 PM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 
Not sure how this would fly... they'd have to get all the people involved to sign legal wavers up front as any firing from a group of peers would probably have all sorts of lawsuit problems. Then you have the privacy issues of opening up salaries to people who are peers?

This seems like a planned 'reality' show that is most likely more or less scripted.

drak b 04-11-09 02:19 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 
To quote from Weird Al's 'Couch Potato' song,
Oh, and "Fear Factor" I watched maybe a half hour
After that felt like I needed a long shower
Network execs with naked ambition
"Next week on FOX - watch lions eat Christians!"
It's scary when reality makes absurd parodies seem more and more plausible. :wacko:

dx23 04-11-09 09:52 AM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 
Classy. Just classy.

7Keys 04-11-09 09:59 PM

Re: Fox to air reality show about real workers getting fired?
 

Originally Posted by Sorraffy (Post 9377808)
TVGuide.com

What do you think? Should Fox sack the idea, or would you like to watch someone get sacked?.

Only if it's the Fox Exec's getting the sack.


Originally Posted by wirefan (Post 9381618)
Not sure how this would fly... they'd have to get all the people involved to sign legal wavers up front as any firing from a group of peers would probably have all sorts of lawsuit problems...
This seems like a planned 'reality' show that is most likely more or less scripted.

That's basically what I was going to say. The winner of the first Apprentice spoke at my college and he talked about how all the businesses they "dropped in on" actually had to sign waivers beforehand.

Sounds scripted.


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