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“13: Fear Is Real” - Worst Reality TV Show Ever?
7-Jan-2009
Written by: Mic Mell
The new program is a dud.
The CW is putting on a new reality TV show for young people. The show calls itself a competition between 13 people who face their fears to win $66,666.
Billed as a collection of horrors, the program is a soft comparison to the true horror genre, although maybe watered down enough to terrify young people, a coveted demographic in television.
In the opening episode, the cast shows itself to be a group of poor actors, and less than interesting people. The program pulls horror movie scripts together for the competition. At the end of each episode, there is an "execution ceremony."
While it's a provocative title for elimination, it certainly can't be true, as we haven't degenerated that far yet as a culture.
Being stuck in the dark and tied to chairs may be scary stuff (especially when you know there's a camera crew around), but it's hardly compelling television. Admittedly, knowing that some contestants will be buried alive might be enough to have me tune in, but knowing that everything will work out okay kind of takes the zing out of it for me.
Unlike most reality shows, this one isn't playing up the fact that there is a camera crew there, giving the false sense of drama and fear, and a loud ring of inauthenticity.
On a more positive note, the show looks like a B-flick horror film with cheap sets and a very hokey feel. The contestants definitely fit the bill of standard horror movie personalities, with characters like the ditzy girl, the pretty boy, the tough guy, and the drama queen.
If you want to watch people in a haunted house, then this program may be for you. For me, I'd rather spend my time watching Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Talk to other readers about this story.
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