New Fox reality show. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

shakran · 04-08-2009, 07:51 AM

http://www.twincities.com/ci_12098163

Quote:

Associated Press
Updated: 04/08/2009 10:08:53 AM CDT

NEW YORK — The Fox network is making a reality show out of the troubled economy.

An upcoming series titled, "Someone's Gotta Go," lets employees of a small business decide which one of their colleagues will be laid off.

Fox says it has no air date yet for the series, which is being developed by the company behind "Big Brother" and "Deal or No Deal." Each week, a different company lays off an employee.

Fox also wouldn't reveal the show's host, which it says is a business consultant who will offer advice to participating companies.

With this one, Fox will reach new heights of shamelessness. The company that promotes corporatism and elitism is now celebrating it by making a reality show glorifying the firing of middle class workers. Brilliant. I admit I'm somewhat surprised that even Fox can be this heartless.

What do you think? Is this going too far? Will it be a ratings success? Is it OK to go too far if it's a ratings success?

Glory's Sun · 04-08-2009, 07:54 AM

wow.

they must be going on the theory that people like watching train wrecks. Given they have any viewers at all seems to support this idea.. but I don't see this one catching on..

roachboy · 04-08-2009, 08:19 AM

this is how you market a new reality show. this is what that marketing is supposed to do.

since we're participating in the logic of marketing this reality show, we might as well go for it i figure. so i went to fox's website only to find a copy of a variety article in which various fox types talk about themselves talking about this reality show. Layoffs Get Reality Spin

Quote:

April 8, 2009

by Michael Schneider

Fox has found a way to help struggling small businesses as they downsize in this tough economic climate. Sort of.

The network has picked up the reality competish "Someone's Gotta Go," which enters real businesses across the country and gives employees the power to decide which one of them will be terminated.

Endemol USA is behind the show, which is already in production --- and could be on the air by late summer or early fall.

"It's 'Survivor' meets 'The Office,'" said Fox reality chief Mike Darnell, never shy when it comes to provocative series ideas. "When someone is arbitrarily let go the first reaction usually is 'How come that person was fired when another idiot is still here?' This finally gives employees a chance to make that decision instead of a boss."

Fox and Endemol are keeping some aspects of the show under wraps, but here's what's known: Each episode will revolve around a different small business --- usually one with 15-20 employees --- that has been forced to make staff reductions because of the sour economy.

The company's books will be opened up to the employees, who will learn what everyone makes and what's in their human resources files. Employees will also get a chance to say, face to face, what they really think of one another.

Ultimately, the employees will vote on who should be terminated. That person will likely receive a small severance, but that's it.

Throughout the show, employees will be assisted by a professional business coach/employment consultant who will double as the series host. Fox and Endemol wouldn't disclose who she is just yet.

Fox and Endemol had each been kicking around reality show ideas set in the workplace and eventually joined forces to develop "Someone's Gotta Go."

"We're always trying to find the next thing that is topical and timely in the zeitgeist," said Endemol North America topper David Goldberg. "What could be more current than the financial crisis and dealing with the realities of losing jobs? This is an extension of that real-life experience."

The concept for "Someone's Gotta Go" came about after Darnell saw a TV news report on a business owner who had been struggling --- and decided to disclose to her employees what they all earned. That sparked a discussion among those employees on who was earning too much and how to cut costs.

"For a lot of people, it takes the pressure off them," Goldberg said. "As a boss myself, I don't want to have to make those decisions. It's safe to say that it hasn't been difficult to find companies willing to participate."

Darnell compares the average size of the businesses on "Someone's Gotta Go" to the Dunder-Mifflin team on "The Office." The reality show is even being shot in a documentary style similar to that of "The Office."

"The biggest show on TV about offices is a fictional show that looks like a reality show," Darnell said.

As for any potential legal ramifications, Darnell and Goldberg said they have taken extra precautions to vet the show through several legal channels. They said it should be free and clear, even if an employee sours on the idea of being canned on national TV.

"We've consulted with labor attorneys and have covered all of our bases," Goldberg said. "We've got an employment expert and business consultant to work with us through this process. There is a professional involved that brings the show an element of credibility."

At the network, Darnell said, "A lot of things had to be signed off" before proceeding with the show.

SOURCE: Daily Variety

Fox Reality – News

the concept is of course so problematic and in so many ways, it's difficult to know where to start with it. but we know about it now, if we didn't before, and we'll probably watch so we can fill in the details concerning how problematic this is,.

Willravel · 04-08-2009, 08:25 AM

This really isn't getting me worked up at all. Sure it's classless, crass, and stupid, but if all Fox news did wrong was be classless, crass, and stupid, America would be a better place. Between inciting incredible racism, paranoia, murderous hatred, and fostering the worst of what it is to be human and the obvious fact that none of them even believe the crap they spew... I dunno, a tacky and tasteless reality show seems like small potatoes.

fresnelly · 04-08-2009, 08:28 AM

At least they can't do a celebrity version. I will be ignoring it.

I'm still waiting for MILF Island though...

uncle phil · 04-08-2009, 08:43 AM

watch out for the cougars, fres...

Redlemon · 04-08-2009, 09:22 AM

A different cast each week sounds like a setup for failure... "learning" about 15 to 20 different people for each 45 minutes of showtime, and no "commitment" to them in future shows? It's less a realty show, more Jerry Springer.

Punk.of.Ages · 04-08-2009, 12:58 PM

Yeah, this is shit...

I don't really like reality shows anyway, but this is just over the top.

I won't be watching it.

04-08-2009, 08:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
fresnelly Functionally Appropriate Location: Toronto	At least they can't do a celebrity version. I will be ignoring it. I'm still waiting for MILF Island though... __________________ Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

04-08-2009, 08:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
uncle phil comfortably numb... Super Moderator Location: upstate	watch out for the cougars, fres... __________________ "We were wrong, terribly wrong. (We) should not have tried to fight a guerrilla war with conventional military tactics against a foe willing to absorb enormous casualties...in a country lacking the fundamental political stability necessary to conduct effective military and pacification operations. It could not be done and it was not done." - Robert S. McNamara ----------------------------------------- "We will take our napalm and flame throwers out of the land that scarcely knows the use of matches... We will leave you your small joys and smaller troubles." - Eugene McCarthy in "Vietnam Message" ----------------------------------------- never wrestle with a pig. you both get dirty; the pig likes it.

04-08-2009, 09:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	A different cast each week sounds like a setup for failure... "learning" about 15 to 20 different people for each 45 minutes of showtime, and no "commitment" to them in future shows? It's less a realty show, more Jerry Springer. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

04-08-2009, 12:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
Punk.of.Ages Forming Location: ....a state of pure inebriation.	Yeah, this is shit... I don't really like reality shows anyway, but this is just over the top. I won't be watching it. __________________ "The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion..." - Henry Steel Commager "Punk rock music is great music played by really bad, drunk musicians." -Fat Mike

04-08-2009, 07:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
Glory's Sun Registered User	wow. they must be going on the theory that people like watching train wrecks. Given they have any viewers at all seems to support this idea.. but I don't see this one catching on..

04-08-2009, 08:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	This really isn't getting me worked up at all. Sure it's classless, crass, and stupid, but if all Fox news did wrong was be classless, crass, and stupid, America would be a better place. Between inciting incredible racism, paranoia, murderous hatred, and fostering the worst of what it is to be human and the obvious fact that none of them even believe the crap they spew... I dunno, a tacky and tasteless reality show seems like small potatoes.