MAD,MAD HOUSE #1

[Trailscout]

There has been a long-standing precedent of television allowing nudity in the depiction of the fine arts, for medical purposes, and as you saw on the Travel Channel, for anthropology programs. Even an historical drama such as "Amistad" was able to get away with it.

I think there is a certain emotional distance that renders it acceptable to the great masses.

Most television drama portrays everyday life so maybe nudity is too close for comfort in that context.

[zuma]

I don't blame INA for what happened, as it was the first reality tv show to prominently display legitimate naturist clubs and legitimate naturists.

Going forward, I think any club or organization which participates in what has become a circus sideshow should be sanctioned.

TV shows actually, imo, have a good track record portraying nudists in a positive light. Even the dumb geraldo/ricki lake shows and their ilk would at least present a balanced view. It's apparent now that reality tv shows are a different beast.

lesson learned, as you said.

Until reality tv shows can be trusted not to mock the lifestyle, no legitimate naturists should involve themself with them. That day may come, but they should earn our trust first.

[Guest]

zuma, there is already enough history of TV shows presenting nudist facilities in a bad light to know very well that this one at Desert Shadows would not be a winner for us. C'mon, just mentioning the characters who were involved should have given everyone a huge clue.

It was not the first reality show to show naturists. Richard Hatch would probably get that honor.

And do you really think that Rikki Lake would present a balanced view? Have you seen it? There is never a serious moment on that show.

From what I've seen there are more shows that misrepresent nudism than ones that show us honestly and in a good light.

I knew that show was going to be a disaster way before it happened.

[zuma]

Cindiann, you are right in many ways... I was just trying to say that historically, the ricki lake/geraldo type shows weren't TOTALLY horrible, which is about all we could ask for at the time. At least they would present a "balanced" view, in other words, give the nudists their say between shrieking audience members and the fundie guests onstage...

You're right that it was not totally balanced, and the shows were not serious in a news-reporting sense.. I didn't get my point across right... I was just trying to say that those shows, horrible as they were, were not on full-on attack mode like the current batch of reality tv shows are.

And you are right about the characters presented... You had a porn star in the mix. Desert Shadows should have had a clue... I was just trying to cut them a wee bit of leeway... maybe they thought they could get a positive message out among all the attacks. I dunno. I agree that they should have known better, however it's now obvious that reality tv shows cannot be trusted to present naturism in a positive light, and that is what is important. I've rambled a bit and I apologise for that.

We should focus on Paradise Lakes and their reported association with the paris hilton show. I haven't even written them an e-mail. I think I'll do that now.

[NewAndNude]

quote:

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Originally posted by cyndiann:
[qb] zuma, there is already enough history of TV shows presenting nudist facilities in a bad light to know very well that this one at Desert Shadows would not be a winner for us. C'mon, just mentioning the characters who were involved should have given everyone a huge clue.

It was not the first reality show to show naturists. Richard Hatch would probably get that honor.

And do you really think that Rikki Lake would present a balanced view? Have you seen it? There is never a serious moment on that show.

From what I've seen there are more shows that misrepresent nudism than ones that show us honestly and in a good light.

I knew that show was going to be a disaster way before it happened. [/qb]

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Reality television does tend to skewer nudity for its own purposes. Just look at how 'Big Brother' handled the nudity of the housemates. Even though there was a camera facing the shower and cameras everywhere else and it was a given that unless you changed under a blanket someone, member of the crew or not, was going to see you naked, the folks behind Big Brother raised a stink when some of the housemates decided to shower together and/or appear without clothes on.