Ten Reasons Why Joe Schmo
Is One Of The Funniest Shows on TV
By Evan D. Baltz
August 6, 2004
Spike TV's faux reality TV show Joe Schmo 2 has gathered together television viewers who dare really laugh…at EVERYTHING. Here is my list of reasons why this show is among the funniest on TV.
1. It airs on Spike TV.
Shows that air on regular broadcast networks often are beholden to the network's "standards" and more conservative advertisers. These pressures tend to dumb down most attempts to be really funny. Kudos to Spike TV for having the moxie to air a show like this.
2. We see behind the scenes.
Often I find myself wishing that all reality shows would have a "Behind the Scenes" episode to show us actually how they produce the show.
That is often one of the more interesting aspects of television. Joe Schmo lets us peak behind the curtain and see the wizards pulling the levers. It has been great watching the producers scramble to cover their mistakes, turn Jane Schmo into a complicit actress, and challenge the actors to "keep it real."
3. It astutely satirizes all aspects of reality TV shows.
Time after time I have remarked, "Oh they nailed that!" while watching Joe Schmo correctly imitate an aspect of the reality show genre. From the quick dramatic cuts, to the overly dramatic music, Joe Schmo misses nothing. Every event and scene effectively jabs a familiar context. The mix of the subtle and the overt helps keep the viewers on their collective toes searching for the next parody.
4. It doesn't insult our intelligence.
Nothing frustrates us more than speakers, teachers, politicians, or television shows that insult their intelligence. Don't present things as "real" when they aren't. We aren't stupid. We know the difference. Joe Schmo knows that. We are in on the joke. We basically know that nothing is "real" except the reaction of the Schmos. The producers aren't trying to trick us or outthink us, they are trying to outthink and outtrick and outplay the Schmos.
5. It rewards attentive viewers with subtle and not-so-subtle references.
If you aren't watching this show with urbandictionary.com up on your computer, then you are missing something. There are so many references in each show that have me laughing hysterically and saying, "I can't believe they actually got away with saying that." If you need more evidence, perhaps research the significance of the pearl necklace ceremony.
6. It mocks persons and institutions universally without prejudice.
The funniest shows find a way to make fun of people and institutions so ubiquitously that no one person can feel insulted or singled out for the mockery. Examples include Mash, Seinfeld, The Simpsons, and The Family Guy. And now add to that list, Joe Schmo. It's not mean-spirited, it is just funny.
7. It isn't politically correct.
Akin to number five, the show doesn't fall prey to the buzz-killing political correctness that guts most shows of true humor. The show isn't afraid to put stereotypes on grand display. The actors do a great job of bringing those stereotypes to life.
8. The show isn't afraid to take risks.
It's all about pushing the envelope and taking risks. Even if and when they backfire. The more the producers push the absurd, the more likely the Schmos are to figure it out. But that balancing act creates even greater interest in the process. When a stunt or situation does goes bad, we see the producers just deal with it and adapt. They aren't afraid to show their mistakes.
9. It doesn't take itself seriously.
Reality TV as a genre is great. It's certainly more real and more interesting than most scripted television. One of the problems though with some of the shows is that they take themselves a bit too seriously at times. They present to us contestants who "learn" and "grow" during their experiences. Hey, its TV, we don't care, we just want to be entertained. We have other outlets for learning life's lessons thank you very much.
10. It challenges other reality TV shows to come up with new ideas.
There are many reality TV shows out there. But certain plot lines and themes and characters appear to be resurfacing over and over again as new shows attempt to copy what has been successful. Joe Schmo however challenges those "seen it" copy cats to come up with some original ideas. It is a challenge to the whole genre: Keep it fresh. Remember when the "Magician's Secrets Revealed" shows aired a few years ago? They challenged magicians everywhere to come up with some new tricks. If you have seen one lady sawn in half you have seen them all. I don't want reality TV to collapse in on itself like some white dwarf star. Thankfully Joe Schmo has taken up the cause quite nicely. Reality TV show producers, are you paying attention? We in the viewing proletariat sure are.
Evan is a Web Designer and Corporate Training Specialist by day, and a Reality TV junky, author, and movie reviewer by night.
You can write to Evan at RealEvan@RealityTVCalendar.com
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