since July 3, 2004.Those looking for an alternative to the overabundance of "reality" shows - and are blessed with TV beyond basic cable - need look no further than the Independent Film Channel.
"Dinner for Five" (Mondays, 8pm, ET), created by actor/writer/director Jon Favreau, features host Favreau and four others from the Hollywood scene - actors, writers, producers, directors - discussing their various experiences while dining at ritzy restaurants in L.A. or New York.
But what does "Dinner for Five" have to do with reality TV, really? Well, read on, and judge for yourself.
Lately, network TV has been bogged down by these so-called reality programs. What first began with game and talk shows and MTV's "The Real World" has sunk to the trashy ruse-filled depths of "Survivor," "Big Brother," "The Bachelor/Bachelorette," and "Joe Millionaire" - all of which are simply nicer ways to say 'pathetic attempts for desperate people to get rich and/or achieve their 15 minutes of fame.' Uh, sure, like these fame-mongers are truly representative of the majority of the American - or the world, for that matter - population. "Average Joe" is a mere baby step away from these ill-representative shows; now, they just need "Average Jane," where a fat girl gets the hot guy.
So, why do we tune into this crap every week, like our lives may fade into oblivion if we don't see who gets voted off the damn island? (Do your brain a favor; let Letterman or "The Early Show" tell you.) Who knows, perhaps 'cause it's the 'in' thing to do, identification with a show or an individual on a show, the people are so outrageous that we know we'll never be them (though we might wish we could be), they're (the shows or the people on them) are so stupid it's hilarious or they're so farfetched that we can't help but watch. (Remember "Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire?")
Of course, media conglomerates, demographics and marketing play a part in this as well. Does that mean we've been programmed to watch these farces? Perhaps, but that's a whole other article. . .
And "Dinner for Five," on the other hand, contains no islands or people living in houses or chicks vying for a hot guy or some other schlock that's becoming all too common to the primetime lineup. It's simply a show about five Hollywood people talking over dinner.
While topics usually include how one got started in the business and admiration of companions' work, they can range from embarrassing moments to most influential persons to chance meetings with celebrities. In one episode, you might find Carrie Fisher and Ed Begley, Jr. discussing their various drug experiences with John Belushi and in another John Landis recounting verbatim how he met Jackie Kennedy Onassis while visiting Michael Jackson's trailer on the "Thriller" set. ("'Do you know Mrs. Onassis?' And my jaw dropped!" To which David Alan Grier retorted, "Don't tell me Michael Jackson was banging Jackie-O!")
Sure, their subjects and language are racier than anything viewed on the networks, and those featured are definitely not representative of the majority of the TV-viewing audience. However, the difference between those on "Dinner for Five" and reality show folk is that the "Dinner for Five" crowd has already achieved some form of fame, and appearing in that setting allows them to paint a clear, real picture of what their lives are like and how they got there. And doing that among their peers is likely more frightening than on camera in front of billions of people.
Favreau's serving of Hollywood dish allows him and guests to recount their introductions into the biz and previous movie-making experiences as well as opportunities to extend compliments.
Imagine that, feeling comfortable and confident amongst your peers - now that's reality!
Copyright © 2003-2004, Talia M. Wilson
submitted for Cooper Point Journal, Dec. 11, 2003 issue; never printed
since July 3, 2004.