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Hell. Cillizza probably thinks this is a good critique of Trump. But Trump will love it.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/06/politics/trump-reality-show-analysis/index.htmlDonald Trump is producing the greatest reality show ever
You can leave reality TV. But reality TV never leaves you.
That's the lesson -- or at least one of the lessons -- the first 13-plus months of Donald Trump's presidency has taught us. Again and again, Trump's White House has looked for all the world like one giant reality show -- with the same strong personalities, rivalries, back-biting and surprise plot twists that have made watching other people live their lives one of our culture's favorite pastimes.
Tuesday, for example, would make one hell of an episode.
-snip-
Is there anything more reality TV than rapidly rising and then collapsing fortunes? The man or woman who you think is for sure going to win "Survivor" or get the final rose (do they still do that?) on "The Bachelor" suddenly falls into disfavor and is out before you blink.
You never see it coming! The reversal of expectations suggests anyone is vulnerable. Anyone can go at any time. It makes the show -- or, in this case, the White House -- that much more difficult to tear yourself away from, since you really can't predict what will happen next.
-snip-
The truth is that even Mark Burnett couldn't create such a high-profile reality show with this much drama, this many personalities and this high of stakes. This is a project only Donald Trump could make happen
.
The medium and long-term impact of running a White House and, therefore, a country, on the principles of reality TV remain to be seen. People can't tear their eyes from the spectacle, sure, but lots and lots of them say they don't like what they see.
Trump is betting that in a few years enough people will vote to renew the show, captivated by what possibly could come around the corner next -- whether they can admit to themselves how much they like the show.
You can leave reality TV. But reality TV never leaves you.
That's the lesson -- or at least one of the lessons -- the first 13-plus months of Donald Trump's presidency has taught us. Again and again, Trump's White House has looked for all the world like one giant reality show -- with the same strong personalities, rivalries, back-biting and surprise plot twists that have made watching other people live their lives one of our culture's favorite pastimes.
Tuesday, for example, would make one hell of an episode.
-snip-
Is there anything more reality TV than rapidly rising and then collapsing fortunes? The man or woman who you think is for sure going to win "Survivor" or get the final rose (do they still do that?) on "The Bachelor" suddenly falls into disfavor and is out before you blink.
You never see it coming! The reversal of expectations suggests anyone is vulnerable. Anyone can go at any time. It makes the show -- or, in this case, the White House -- that much more difficult to tear yourself away from, since you really can't predict what will happen next.
-snip-
The truth is that even Mark Burnett couldn't create such a high-profile reality show with this much drama, this many personalities and this high of stakes. This is a project only Donald Trump could make happen
.
The medium and long-term impact of running a White House and, therefore, a country, on the principles of reality TV remain to be seen. People can't tear their eyes from the spectacle, sure, but lots and lots of them say they don't like what they see.
Trump is betting that in a few years enough people will vote to renew the show, captivated by what possibly could come around the corner next -- whether they can admit to themselves how much they like the show.
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