Dancing with the media

The last few days I have seen previews of yet another series of "Stars dancing on ice". Yet another downfall in the quality of Dutch television. First we had "Idols", a program where idiots with a complete lack of talent were able to humiliate themselves in front of the entire nation, all in the name of entertainment. If it only would have stayed with one series, that would have been fine, BUT, it was such a success, that they decided to do another series, and yet another. And to make matters worse, they have sold the rights to other countries, so the entire world was able to enjoy the ear-ringing qualities of the girl next door. However, here in Holland, the winner of the first "Idols" is hardly in the picture anymore, and I wonder if anyone knows who the second and the third "Idols" have won, or who was first runner up.
And now they have the same kind of program, the X-factor, but this time you can also humiliate yourself when you can do another trick, other then singing in the bathroom without breaking the mirror.
Another program that has been broadcasted throughout the world is "Dancing with the stars". I think in England it's called "Strictly come dancing" or something like that. This time local celebrities had their chance to embarrass themselves on national tv. And yet again, with sequel after sequel.

The one of the lowest point here was reached when RTL4 came up with the idea of putting those celebs in thin ice this time. It wasn't really a bad idea to take things up a notch, when you like this sort of thing. But how things happened I don't know, but someone, a few days before RTL4 announced their bright idea, SBS6 proudly presented this as their idea, and broadcasted this along with RTL4, since neither obviously could trow their idea in the trashcan. So, at this point there were 2 versions on air. HELP!!! What's next? "Dining with the stars"? "Fucking with the stars"? "Torturing with the stars"? Well, for all of these versions I have a list of perfect candidates already, but feel free to come up with more suggestions. But wait, since the media is willing to show just about anything these days, how about "Hanging with the stars"? We already had one shown just a few days ago. So, why not another one? I already have a good candidate: how about President George W. Bush?

And just as I thought I had seen everything, I've just seen a preview of a program where they show a real autopsy with a real audience on tv. How low can you go?

Well, with all this said, I also have to say, that it's not so much those show I don't like. I don't mind having these shows around. After all, people like to watch, and even though it's not my kind of show, there ARE people who find pleasure watching this, and who am I to judge this?
For me, it's more the way they are being hyped in the media. Weeks ahead, they are already shouting that you must see it, days before they swear they have THE ultimate show for you, and the night before, they order you to watch, punishable by becoming an outcast, spitted out by the rest of the society, for being the only one who isn't watching it.
And you can't escape it. In every talkshow, you'll see someone who JUST didn't make it to the finals, in every game show you see one of the finalist doing their trick, On the news you will hear who won.
I feel that freedom of press has been taken a little to far. Of course, there must be a freedom of press, BUT please let there also be a freedom to watch!