Reality TV: For Extroverts AND Introverts?

[Rainman]

This post/question came out of a random thought I expressed in my introductory post. I will state it a little more politely here, because looking back to how I posted it in Introductions I see how it could be construed as rude.

1) Is participation in Reality TV shows a "perfect vehicle" for our counterpart "Exxx" extroverts to express their extroversion and get as many people to notice them as possible?

Contrarily:

2) Do many Ixxx (specifically INTJs) watch Reality TV shows because we wish we could be a little more extroverted sometimes?

I will offer my thoughts as to answers to the above:

1) Yes, I believe so.
2) No, not for me, because I can't stand the vast majority of Reality TV shows. The only ones I might watch are where I can learn something despite all the "look at me-ness" going on. Like cooking shows. I love to cook and if I can learn a new technique or recipe from a Reality TV cooking show, it may be worth it to put up with people's theatrics.

Any thoughts from any of you other INTJ's? I'd be interested in hearing from any of you who do like Reality TV and why you like such shows (no prejudice here...they are just not my cuppa tea).

[Feral]

Most reality shows are hilarious. I don't watch them because I care if some old dude with a big clock around his neck find true love, or because one of them is going to be some major name in music at some point.

They're just funny to watch flounder.

Perhaps it's because by watching them, I know I'm not that stupid. I do occasionally doubt myself sometimes, but all I need is a little bit of Flavor of Love or America's Most Smartest Model, and I've got my comedy fix.

[Indy]

My girlfriend asked me to join a local reality tv show, much like the Amazing Race, but I vehemently declined. She said it was a great way to meet new people, do cool things. They just published the participants and she was all excited about it. It could have been interesting though. You have to run around Shanghai and discover the different neighborhoods, stay in the Hilton, etc.

While she is a succesful ad-executive, she is totally hopeless with maps and has no sense of direction what-so-ever. I am amazed she can always find her way back home.
I cherish my childhood expriences hiking with the boy-scouts, know where the north-south is at all times, so it could have been entertaining.

To the OP, 1) yeah, reality-shows are perfect for that, 2) I don't think introverts are that interested in it for that reason. I noticed people often like these shows because they give fodder to talk with friends who they like or don't like, what behavior they agreed/disagreed with. That doesn't sound like introvert behavior to me.

[Trenchant1]

While she is a succesful ad-executive, she is totally hopeless with maps and has no sense of direction what-so-ever. I am amazed she can always find her way back home.

Have you checked to see if she's got a sat-nav in her handbag?

I quite enjoy the audition stages of things like the X Factor and American Idol. Some of the performances are wonderfully bad. These are some of my favourites.
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There are lots more on YouTube.

[Storm]

I watch The Amazing Race (which arguably is more of a game show than a reality show) because I like seeing all the different places they go and I like analyzing the dichotomy between team members and guessing who will win. If given the chance, I would love to be on that show. It's a strategist's dream.

I think most people watch reality shows because they are so hilarious. And it's a way for people to satisfy their need for gossip while avoiding the negatives of gossiping about people they actually know.

[Indy]

Have you checked to see if she's got a sat-nav in her handbag?

I quite enjoy the audition stages of things like the X Factor and American Idol. Some of the performances are wonderfully bad. These are some of my favourites.
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There are lots more on YouTube.

We live 5 minutes from the subway station, so not much can go wrong I guess. I'm confident that she wouldn't be able to make sense of the GPS though.

(On American Idol) The weird thing is that most of them are actually convinced that they are great singers. "What do you mean I sound like a grandma choking on a pretzel??"

And after being thrashed throughly by Simon Cowell, they have no qualms trying out for a second, third or fourth time the next season.

[Rainman]

(On American Idol) The weird thing is that most of them are actually convinced that they are great singers. "What do you mean I sound like a grandma choking on a pretzel??"

Exactly! I always trust the opinions of my friends, and so I would never "venture out" for something like that if my friends told me I sucked. In fact, I am just the opposite. Bosses and co-workers tell me I give good presentations and am a "natural teacher", but the introvert in me does not think I am.

My idea for therapeutic reality TV: "A day with an AIG exec". Subtitle: WTF do you do every day that makes you think you are worth million dollar bonuses? Then for season 2 we will focus on Congressional elected Reps and Sens! :angry: Combine these with instant public feedback via net voting to give them "thumbs up/thumbs down" and perhaps we can solve the problem of constantly electing people that break promises and lie to us.