LABJ FORUM – Star-Struck Reality

0

LABJ FORUM – Star-Struck Reality

From “Trading Spaces” to “Trading Spouses,” reality TV producers transform daily life into daily entertainment. Participants seem willing to allow cameras to capture anything and everything, with or without large cash incentives. So the Business Journal asks:

Would you consider being on a reality TV show?

Beth Braen

Senior Vice President, Marketing

National Association of Television Program Executives

Of course. My favorites are “While You Were Out,” “Trading Spaces” and “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” because they’re not mean-spirited. I’m not a big fan of “Fear Factor” the fear of heights alone would keep me away from it. I talked it over with my husband and we decided it would be “While You Were Out.” I’d send him away for the weekend and fix up our home office.

Sharri Earnest

Creative Director

Los Angeles Party Designs Inc.

I wouldn’t, but the company has been. We did “You’re Invited.” It’s a cable show about surprise parties. We decorated and then they invited a caterer, too, and we created a theme event. It’s fun because when it airs we have a party and eat dinner as we watch the show. It takes a certain personality to go on those shows. I’m not that photogenic and I have a funny voice, I’m an old lady and I sound like a little girl.

Leo Thomas

Managing Partner

Price Raffel and Browne Inc.

I wouldn’t even consider it. I saw a few minutes of “Survivor” when it first came on, but I’ve never really watched a reality show. I think it’s unbelievable that our society has reverted to such crap. These brainless shows are replacing more creative shows. I think it’s gotten way out of hand. Next thing you know a husband and wife will be killing each other on TV.

Samuel Biggs

Managing Partner

Biggs & Co.

I don’t have any interest in them. I hate them; they’re for kids. No amount of money could get me on. I watch PBS, the Discovery Channel and National Geographic. I won’t even watch ABC, CBS or MTV. They’re not for my class of audience.

JoAnn Roth

President

Someone’s in the Kitchen

I would consider putting my company on a reality show, if it dealt with education and entertainment. Sometimes they get too sensationalized and get away from what’s real. We’re a funny place and have a lot of interesting stories. I wouldn’t go on one personally, though. I don’t have time for something that’s not business related.

Lee Helper

President

Bender/Helper Impact Inc. and EMbizImpact Inc.

If you asked me to turn the clock back a number of years before, I would consider it. I would probably be more inclined to give it a shot rather than turn it down. But ultimately, you have to be realistic. (You have to) look at the opportunities as well as the potential liabilities to being on a show.

Capt. Manny Aschemeyer

Executive Director

Marine Exchange of Southern California

Probably not. I’ve watched a few of them, and I’m not enthralled with the things they’re required to do. I know they’re really entertaining to a lot of people. I don’t think I’d be very entertaining on a show, either. If they did a reality show about how the port functions, more of a documentary thing, I might be interested.

No posts to display