I Don’t Like Reality TV Says The Legendary Dick Van Dyke.

May 5, 2011 by Masterclass Lady 3 Comments


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This article caught my eye today, if for no other reason than it was centered around one of my favorite actors of all time, the legendary Dick Van Dyke.

Apart from some other humorous anecdotes, he mentioned that he really dislikes reality television. He was quoted as saying:

“Yes I do hate it I must say. I know it’s inexpensive to do but I don’t think it’s entertainment. We watched Donald Trump’s ‘Apprentice,’ whatever it is, I’ve never been so bored in my life! That’s not entertainment. Those shows encourage bad behavior“.

He did, however, go on to say:

“I get a lot of scripts but as you say they are not exactly my cup of tea. They did ask me to do ‘Dancing With The Stars,’ I said I can do one show but on that show you have to come up with a new number every week and I told them that I think I’m a little past that stage.”

Now, after I read this, I was left wanting more. It begs to question whether or not he enjoys the entertainment reality shows, such as The Voice and American Idol? He is the consummate entertainer and is a well- rounded, gifted performer, so I feel his opinions matter.

What do you think of Dick Van Dyke’s comments? Do you feel that the reality shows have diminished the quality of television in general?

I know I miss the variety shows developed by such artists as Ed Sullivan, Perry Como, Dean Martin, Carole Burnett. And comedy shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show seem so limited now.

Do you find yourself watching reruns of reruns? Please share your thoughts.

Source: Popeater.Com

Comedy, Entertainment, Music, Singing, Television

About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici
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3 Responses to “I Don’t Like Reality TV Says The Legendary Dick Van Dyke.”

  1. J May 5, 2011 at 5:34 pm

    Rosanne,

    I can only speak for myself, but for the record, how you define “reality TV” also makes a huge difference, I believe.

    When I think of reality TV, I tend to think of shows like: The Real Housewives of Orange County, Jersey Shore, The Hills, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, 16 and Pregnant, The Millionaire Matchmaker, Survivor, or Big Brother.

    The less I say about those shows, the better, but needless to say, my opinion of them differs greatly from how I view:
    — Talent-based shows, like The Voice, American Idol, and So You Think You Can Dance
    — Competition shows, like The Amazing Race, The Biggest Loser, Top Chef, or Project Runway

    As a writer, I’m very much a fan of narrative fiction and scripted dramas, so that’s where my heart lies. The only show I regularly watch that could be considered reality TV is American Idol, but I don’t think of it as reality TV, and the reason I watch it is for the singing and nothing else. (Definitely not for the “suspense,” “judging,” in-house drama, or anything like that!)

    My point is that Dick van Dyke (I’m also a big fan!) may or may not consider The Voice and American Idol in that category of reality TV. I know that when I pronounce my general verdict about reality television, I do not include those shows. Just my two cents (and then some!). 😉

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  2. Masterclass Lady May 5, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    I agree, J. But, I think these entertainment shows are considered reality tv and I have no idea why? I mean, it is based in reality, but I consider these shows to be variety shows.

    Check this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idol.

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  3. Julia May 6, 2011 at 10:19 am

    I was a little bit on edge the other day when I commented on the blurring of the line between fiction-based and fact-based media.

    I have to admit I enjoy AI and occasionally get a chance to see DWTS, Glee, and Amazing Race. I agree that Glee, DWTS, and American Idol are descendant from variety shows and Amazing Race is more “reality-based”.

    In retrospect, as long as we have been “social beings” humans, we have tried to present a certain image to others.

    I would propose that 60 Minutes was always more interested in telling Don Hewitt’s ‘story’ or point of view than being a ‘hard news’ program and accelerated this emphasis on ‘spin’ and ‘framing’.

    One film that portrays this trend is “Broadcast News” (a period piece because it looks so dated now) as it presaged our current crazy-quilt infotainment environment.

    Add to this trend the emergence of a smorgasbord of entertainment, along with time-compression (personal and professional); it is no wonder that we are overwhelmed at times by the information glut.

    Sometimes I just get up, walk away from all of this, go somewhere, and look at a peaceful body of water.

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