ABC Pulls 'Neighborhood' Reality Series

[bluestateguy]

I cheer Anytime a "reality" show is cancelled. I really don't give a damn abou the PC aspect of it, but I am very bitter because my favorite show, "American Dreams" was cancelled because it could not compete with a vapid reality show.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/29/AR2005062902762_pf.html

LOS ANGELES -- "Welcome to the Neighborhood," an ABC reality series that pushes hot buttons of racism and anti-homosexuality, was pulled by the network before its debut.

The program had drawn criticism from groups claiming it risked fostering prejudice.

In a statement Wednesday, ABC acknowledged the delicate nature of the series in which families asked to pick a new neighbor are made to expose and overcome their biases.

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The six-episode show, which was to debut July 10, follows three families in Austin, Texas, who are given the chance to choose a new neighbor for a house on their street.

Each family initially wants someone similar to them _ white and conservative.

Instead, they must choose from families that are black, Hispanic and Asian; two gay white men who've adopted a black child; a couple covered in tattoos and piercings; a couple who met at the woman's initiation as a witch; and a poor white family.

mroe

[Jane Eyre]

1. Just saw a promo for this show tonight

The show must have already been filmed. So...I wonder when the DVD's come out?

What a stupid idea for a show, and possibly illegal since it violates a whole bunch of anti-discrimination laws.

[Guaranteed]

3. Wait a minute, though...I thought it might be a good thing.

When I see shows that force people to be exposed to different cultures, I've almost always seen positive results.

Granted, this is the first I've heard of this show. I don't know how they were approaching this. But it could, in my mind, be quite a good thing, given the right approach.

[LynzM]

8. I had the same thought....

Why not force people to confront their prejudices?

[greekspeak]

9. Kid gloves not delicate enough for this kind of delicate situation

I think any chance to force bigots to confront their prejudices has the potential for much good. To put it on TV as a way to force viewing audiences to face their prejudices is also potentially a very good thing. Framing these issues in the form of a pseudo-reality Reality Program is not the way to go. All I have seen coming from these shows is a REINFORCEMENT of prejudices. Many of these shows bring out the worst nature in their participants and their viewers. The goal is to be as audacious as possible for ratings. This is not the kind of situation where real social issues like race, sexual orientation, and religion ought to be addressed.

[DefenseLawyer]

5. I don't know what laws it would violate to film bigots

in their natural habitat, but nonetheless it does sound like a stupid idea for a show.

[Ilsa]

2. It was a brazen idea for a show. I was wondering if an episode was

going to end in violence, like an old Geraldo show. I think it would foster more than prejudice.

[Liberal_Dog]

4. My Feeling About "Reality" Shows

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[newswolf56]

6. Here is the real issue:

Before ABC announced its decision, the Family Research Council said it was worried evangelicals would be made to appear judgmental and foolish. (from the WP report)

More proof the MSM is absolutely terrified of the Christofascists -- and what might happen if BushCo actually succeeds in imposing theocracy.

[LynzM]

10. Right....

Because god forbid we publically ridicule prejudice, and the chance that it can be seen for what it is might occur....

[Starbucks Anarchist]

7. One thing that struck me from the preview

was that the heavily tattoed couple said they were Republicans. The man in the other family asked incredulously, "So you guys are...Republicans?" then the tattoed guy said "One hundred thousand percent."