New Reality Show: Someone's Gotta Go

[applepansy]

I'm totally disgusted and appalled.

On the news this morning one of the stories about this new reality show that is in production. The premise is that, on TV, small companies will turn over layoffs to the employees to decide and it will all be filmed and part of a Reality Show. The producer said he had several companies who welcomed the opportunity to handle layoffs in this way.

If the company I worked for chose to do this to employees, I would save them one position and QUIT! I never worked very long for unethical people during my career and if this was how a company wanted to handled layoffs I'd walk out. Ethical and moral behavior is important . . . at least to me.

Where did compassion and ethics go in our world?

applepansy

[Captain_Curmudgeon]

Tasteless as a reality show, but it does bring to mind one thing I wondered about during layoffs:

Why do the same clueless managers that caused the problems that led to the layoffs get to be the ones to decide who stays (them, always) and who goes?

[RachelleDrew]

That's disgusting.

[pam]

Totally disgusting.

[WomenofCaliber]

That sounds horrible!

[Moksha]

I have wondered for several years why people watch these "reality" shows. They are not my reality. They pander to the baser or less mature instincts of human nature.

Watching a person eat bugs for money would have been weirdly fascinating in 5th grade, but as adults it degrades us. (Although, I do not openly cringe when I watch Andrew Zimmerman or Anthony Bourdain do similar things on the Travel Channel - they are simply savoring the local cuisine).

Network TV panders to the lowest common denominator to attract viewers. It is our fault it we watch and encourage them to be ever more distasteful.

[Dravin]

I'm not a legal Mavin but generally they can't just record you and through you up on TV without some sort of permission, that's why so many faces get blurred on candid camera type shows. Or can the boss just say its now part of your job to get filmed being laid off and that avoids the issue as your employment then becomes permission?

Or is my premise seriously borked to begin with?

[pam]

I'm with you Dravin. I would think there would have to be a legal permission to show you on tv.

[StallionMcBeastly]

Sounds somewhat entertaining

[pam]

Interesting to see that you find someone losing their job who might be trying to support a family entertaining. To each his own.

[StallionMcBeastly]

Interesting to see that you find someone losing their job who might be trying to support a family entertaining. To each his own.

I don't take joy out of someone getting laid off; but I may be entertained by the show.

It probably won't be much of a 'reality' show anyways - it'll probably be staged.

[Dravin]

He's got a point Pam, if our assumption about the legality of just filming some schlub is correct then instead of playing like this:

Unsuspecting man gets calling into office only to be fired, after having his breakdown the camera crew jump out from behind the the ficus and yell, "Surprise! Now get lost."

It'll play out like this:

Show execs approach man about to be laid off, inform him of this and point out he could really use some extra cash everything considered. So man agrees to be filmed is coached on what type of break-down the execs want him to have, he enters office, gets filmed then the execs cut him a $100 check and he's on his way. Once he's out of the office the company gets cut a check for $500.

Or:

As first but he's informed after they're done yelling, "Surprise." that if he signs the paper to let them air it they'll cut him a check for $100. He does so they now have 1/4 to 1/2 of the show.

In order if what I'd personally be comfortable with it would be the middle one as least objectionable (not even objectionable at all except on grounds of taste in television), the last one (even if they don't air it I wouldn't want to share this with strangers) and the first one as most objectionable.

Considering possible legal issues I'd imagine they'd go with the middle one, but I may be placing to much faith in television execs.

[ADoyle90815]

I think that's disgusting. Then again, I have never been a fan of reality shows, including Dancing With The Stars and American Idol.

[applepansy]

I see no entertainment value in watching people humilitated. According to the news psychologists are already weighing in about the negative mental and emotional effects that could result from being laid off or fired so publically. Even if they sign a release the employees may feel pressured into participating.

This is the epitome of bad taste.

It makes me wonder "What's next?"

[talisyn]

I'm totally disgusted and appalled.

On the news this morning one of the stories about this new reality show that is in production. The premise is that, on TV, small companies will turn over layoffs to the employees to decide and it will all be filmed and part of a Reality Show. The producer said he had several companies who welcomed the opportunity to handle layoffs in this way.

If the company I worked for chose to do this to employees, I would save them one position and QUIT! I never worked very long for unethical people during my career and if this was how a company wanted to handled layoffs I'd walk out. Ethical and moral behavior is important . . . at least to me.

Where did compassion and ethics go in our world?

applepansy

Fox?

[StallionMcBeastly]

I think that's disgusting. Then again, I have never been a fan of reality shows, including Dancing With The Stars and American Idol.

A.I. is my show!

Although I admit it's a bit cruel to put the near mentally retarded in front of the judges, have them sing terribly, be told how awful they are and follow them around with cameras as they weep in agony... and then broadcast it on national T.V. lol

Oh well.

I've only watched Dancing With The Stars a few times, and that was only for Julianne Hough.

[pam]

Sorry I still don't see the entertainment value of seeing someone (even if given $100) being laid off. I'm sure his/her family would see no entertainment value as well.