Newish Hollywood site The Wrap presents an "investigation" which reveals "that the reality of reality shows is not nearly so benign: at least 11 reality-show participants have taken their own lives — and two more who have tried to — in tragedies that appear to be linked to their experience on television shows." It's astoundingly tenuous-many of the unfortunate 11 had pre-exisitng mental health issues, and, really, only 11? Out of everyone who's been associated with a reality TV show? (The list includes production people as well as contestants.) It's like the Clinton Body Count list, except that at least topped out near 50 names. Sometimes I hate the Internet.
So there's an upside to these shows, then.
OMG 'The Secret' DOES work!
I'd like The Wrap to investigate Paula Abdul's bio-chemistry and report back.
Well, what do you expect from that site? Those people will do any--- oh, it says Newish. My mistake. Nevermind.
I'm A Corpse... Put Me In The Ground!
Ahhh....the long lecherous gaze of a reality show camera lenz...allowing us all to molest and inflict from afar. Suprise to us all that those who need us to look in on them and to make them feel whole might in fact be the less balanced of our group. And so when they need to end the pain of their lives we just clean off the lenz and find another more gratuitious shot. shot.shot.
That number is probably insignificant when compared to those who've committed suicide after watching reality shows.
Came pretty close myself with "I'm a celebrity..." last night.
Did they kill themselves on camera? No? Not interested.
Two words for you, young man: Budd Dwyer.
Other forms of celebrity are what, chopped liver?
What, not one from Japan?
Not one humiliated salaryman ha had the sense of honour to commit Seppuku after being able to keep down that 22nd live eel?
What's happened to you, Japan?
er, un-able..
Probably most of them were contestants on "Just Shoot Me."
Oh wait -- that wasn't a reality show, was it?
I thought is was more of a roman àclef about the relationship between Hugh and Christie Hefner and the day to day operations of Playboy.
Well, there was De Grote Donorshow
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/may/29/realitytv.broadcasting
...and, of course, the original "Beat the Reaper"!
http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Electrician-Someone-Like-Him/dp/B0012GN3UA/ref=pd_sim_m_5
If you want to be The Biggest Loser you'd better come ready.
the tradition of loser suicide is literally as old as reality TV itself. The first guy voted off the first island ever killed himself; delayed broadcast of the show for a year.
What are you talking about?
TOPICAL! The Bulgarian version of the Survivor franchise has claimed its first victim!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31036263/