Total Drama Island

Is anyone else watching this show? Initially I didn't give it a lot of credit, and while it isn't the most amazing thing ever on TV, it turns out it's pretty funny. It does a pretty good job of capturing the artifice of "reality" TV, the machinations of the producers and the silliness of the whole thing. Probably the best part of the show is the way the host, Chris, takes such obvious glee in causing the contestants to suffer. It's also interesting how often "adult" things are hinted at in a show that is broadcast during the day time. I mean, my sister once saw her kids watching Power Puff girls and Ms Bellum's cleavage stayed on screen a bit too long, and she made them change the channel. Total Drama island is filled with cleavage and skimpy outfits, but moreover has vaguely sexual makeout scenes, hints of nudity (covered by mosaics or characters arms), and even vague references to actual sex. Also, all the main characters are supposed to be High School students. I'm guessing this kind of teen oriented show is the sort of thing CN is replacing Toonami with. Today after Total Drama Island, they played a show I've never seen before "6 teen", which again followed the same vibe. This one was sort of like Friends for teenagers or something (I didn't really watch it). Maybe today's teens are just not that fadishly "in" to anime action shows, and Cartoon Network is trying to find the next thing too hook that age group.

_________________
"God can't give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing."
— C.S. Lewis

site :: wish list :: twitter

I'm ashamed to admit that I've been watching it as well. It first caught my eye when I saw that CN was advertising for a show rated "DSLV" that would air during primetime. I was curious (and a bit disappointed) since CN is usually pretty good about keeping it family-friendly during the weekdays. That, combined with the horrid animation style, compelled me to watch a few episodes to see just how bad it would be. Kinda like watching a train wreck.

I was surprised, though. On the one hand, this is clearly the most sexualized show on CN (outside of [AS]). There's an ample of amount of cleavage, midriffs, and short skirts; overt references to sex ("I bet Owen I could get your bra.", "You showed Harold your chest? Can we see?", "Like I would let him see my boobs!"); and occasional hits of latent homosexuality. On the other hand, the show is surprisingly funny. As Fata said, the host is gleefully sadistic, and the wild animals occasionally get into the act as well.

Overall, it's an OK show. The humor is hit-and-miss; some episodes are uproarious while others put me to sleep. The eliminations have seemed pretty arbitrary of late, but my guy's still in it, so I guess that's OK. The "adult content" is a bit much, though. Hopefully this isn't a sign of CN bringing sex into what has traditionally been some pretty kid-safe programming.

As an aside, 6teen is now a regular show, I think. It's done by Teletoon (as is TDI) and features alot of the same cast and crew.

I agree, the humor is inconsistent. However, they got the biggest laugh out of me ever on a recent episode, during elimination time, right before the loser is announced - you know, the ultra-dramatic pause that all reality TV shows have. A character stands up and says "Look, it's cool, I had fun...", only to be interrupted by Chris' urgent, "What are you doing?! You're ruining it!"

As for eliminations, I think they're about as "random" as they are on actual reality shows. The producers want certain people to get to the top, because they produce ratings. The manipulative bitch, for example, is one character that reality show producers like to make it to the final elimination (look at Project Runway - assuming you watch that show). So it's obvious that character is going to make it. The manipulative bitch's main enemy will also make it to the top. All the other characters must be slowly eliminated in the most entertaining way possible.

_________________
"God can't give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing."
— C.S. Lewis

site :: wish list :: twitter

Yeah I've watched this show a few times when there was nothing else on. It really emulates true reality shows well, which is probably why I'm not overly excited about it. It is okay for what it is. Though oddly enough I have caught my mom (and she's almost 60) watching this show. So I don't know if that makes it look better or worse to others.

_________________
"There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots."

The History Of Canada: A Pop-up Book

Any bets on who's out this week? My money's on Owen.

	TrueFlog wrote:
	The History Of Canada: A Pop-up Book Any bets on who's out this week? My money's on Owen.

I tend to agree. Owen was never going to make it to the final three, now is the best time to eliminate him.

_________________
"God can't give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing."
— C.S. Lewis

site :: wish list :: twitter

That episode was unexpectedly funny at two points.

1) Chef saying "You're such a dedicated host, Chris" == not at all funny.
Chef saying "You're such a dedicated host, Chris" while gently cradling Chris in the fetal position == bizarrely hilarious

2) Chris making the coconut do the "walk of shame" just to screw with Owen = priceless. I couldn't stop laughing at it.

Really, though, what IS it between Chris and Chef?

_________________
"God can't give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing."
— C.S. Lewis

site :: wish list :: twitter

Owen's suggestion that they all confess their sins before they died was completely out of the blue. And to think that "Gwen's" misdeeds outweighed Duncan's and Heather's? Yikes. I loved Chris's line about how he'd invite them in but the trailer only holds six (even though there was only six of them.) This episode was good for some laughs, but I was disappointed that no one got voted off - progress = good.

Lame. Duncan was way too entertaining to get rid of. I wonder if this is all leading to a surprise win for Owen?

_________________
"God can't give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing."
— C.S. Lewis

site :: wish list :: twitter

Yeah, once the girls won, I knew Duncan was out 'cuz he had the best shot at winning. Still lame, though... Of the four, Duncan was the most fun, as well as my pick to win.

Tuned in last night per your review, now i wish i watched it from the beginning it was more entertaining than I thought. I did set the DVR to record repeats.

_________________
Shhh it's a secret...

Wii Friend Code 2064-6701-4897-6389
GH3 - 3823-7457-3387
Smash Brothers Brawl - 2277-6335-5662

Surprise! Didn't see that coming. I guess they're not going as cliche as I thought.

The humor in this episode was sadly lacking though.

_________________
"God can't give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing."
— C.S. Lewis

site :: wish list :: twitter

Wha?! I thought that was one of the funniest episodes - the repeated humiliation of Heather, Owen's absurd over-enthusiasm, the way the other campers obviously viewed Own as gross, the vast amount of jelly required to fill his navel, Chris and Chef's bet... I laughed the whole time.

As for the elimination, I figured it would Owen, but in retrospect, Heather makes sense too. We all knew she wasn't going to win, so if she made it to the finals, there'd be no suspense. This way, going into the finals, both campers have a chance. My money's still on Gwen, though. Too bad we have to wait two weeks now.

TrueFlog wrote:

Wha?! I thought that was one of the funniest episodes - the repeated humiliation of Heather, Owen's absurd over-enthusiasm, the way the other campers obviously viewed Own as gross, the vast amount of jelly required to fill his navel, Chris and Chef's bet... I laughed the whole time.

As for the elimination, I figured it would Owen, but in retrospect, Heather makes sense too. We all knew she wasn't going to win, so if she made it to the finals, there'd be no suspense. This way, going into the finals, both campers have a chance. My money's still on Gwen, though. Too bad we have to wait two weeks now.

Maybe it was just more male-oriented gross-out humor. I was just sickened, and didn't laugh at all. The only thing I found mildly funny was, "Is there nothing these freaks won't do?!"

_________________
"God can't give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing."
— C.S. Lewis

site :: wish list :: twitter

So it looks like this week's episode is going to be a clip show with some new material mixed in. We didn't get anything new last week, and now we've got to wait at least another week for the finale. Boo...