Stranger than Fiction
Reality is not pretty, but reality shows are pretty ugly.
If you want to know the fate of a bachelorette, or a millionaire named Joe, or what my parents think about you surviving the outback, have at it. Personally, the whole genre tired out for me several years ago after realizing I didn’t care about the true story of six people picked to live in a house to find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real.
Simple formula, really, and fantastically cheap to produce. Take some ordinary folks, add a camera, sprinkle a generous helping of conflict; serve.
The North Shore Project, due to appear this summer, applies this video alchemy to surfing. If you haven’t heard of it yet, you will. Meantime, the premise goes like this: Seven professional surfers live together on the North Shore of Hawaii for the winter season. I have my doubts.
Honestly, how much conflict can pro surfers generate? "Where’s my wax?" "Who says my roundhouse cutback isn’t as good as yours?" "How come you get so many photo trips?" Not exactly what you’d call gripping television.
I suppose it all plays into the increasing popularity of surfing — pro or con, avoidance of facts doesn’t change them. No offense to the featured professionals (especially you, Mr. Garcia), but I prefer the show followed the trials and tribulations of the average surfer.
Imagine the possiblities of my new series, Surfers Just Like You: "Why do you let your sinuses drain all over the place?" "Ding repair costs how much?" "What do you mean, I can’t take another sick day?" "Whose wetsuit stinks?"
Then, of course, there’s one of the all-timers: "Left or right?"
Now that’s conflict.