Amos Raymond
Junior
Biology
"It's my gut feeling that they don't exploit the guests but they exploit
the
issues. This is a sign of where our society is heading. We're more
interested
in a visual `peeping tom' media versus talking about real issues. People
don't
watch talk shows for information but just to get a trip off of other
people's
lives."
Jonathan Thornburg
Senior, Biology
"They manipulate their guests. They bring them on the air and lie to
them. They
say they'll do these nice things for them, and then humiliate them. One
of my
favorite things is that they get them on under the pretense of
counseling. They
bring a family on with a lot of problems and then if the show doesn't
exploit
and ridicule them, the audience surely will."
Sarah Spodek
Senior
History
"Definitely. They exploit their guests but the guests are looking for
fame so
they allow themselves and even solicit the opportunity to appear on the
show.
So it's sort of an adverse symbiotic relationship. Viewers and
advertisers are
willing to pay and watch the shows. Therefore I don't think it will
change
anytime in the near future."
Yasmin Ali
Senior
Biology
"Yes. How outrageous are those guests? It is unbelieveable that those
people
even exist. There have been shows where some have said that people get on
and
lie. But I suppose everybody wants their 15 minutes of fame."
Claire Kucera
Senior
Anthropology
"Yes, they do. I think people definitely like hearing about sick and
wacky
people to explain their own psycho behavior and in order to feel normal
and
better than them. I don't think all of them do. I think Oprah's pretty
good.
One of my friends is actually making a movie spoof of talk shows in
Chicago
right now."