"When the cameras go off, and people start getting fake." That's the theme of the new show from Mark Burnett, producer of the hit TV show Survivor.
Critics have attacked reality shows, which include Survivor, the Mole, and Temptation Island, for their proclivity to present real people in real conflicts, vying for real values.
"In the past, most reality TV was about goals, teamwork, and competition," Burnett said. "But then it hit us. That's not reality. Reality is about faking smiles with friends, in-laws, and coworkers, then stabbing them in the back the moment they leave your presence."
In Burnett's new show, the participants, hand-picked by a team of German research psychologists, will be locked in a room with a group of people they despise. The last person to admit their dislike for the others will win the game.
"And since the participants are all animated, autonomous agents controlled by a supercomputer, it doesn't really matter if these bastards kill each other," Burnett said, "in fact, we encourage it." A selection of miscellaneous firearms will be available to the participants.
But if the participants start shooting each other in the face with guns, wouldn't their actions be non-fake, thus undermining the very purpose of the show, that is, to show "real" fakeness? According to Burnett, "You don't know what the fuck you're talking about. You call yourself a reporter? You're lucky the cameras are on."
And if you're wondering why a show consisting of animated characters generated completely by computer can be considered a "reality" show, Burnett said you'd be best advised to "go screw yourself".
