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Xbox signs reality TV executive

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Keeping up

Microsoft is really determined that Xbox One will be the all around experience in your living room. Of course, most people watch TV in their living room, and plenty of that TV is of the reality persuasion – at least in the US of A. So, it makes sense that they would sign someone on to help create “unscripted video content” on the Xbox.

It’s official, Ari Mark has joined up with Xbox Entertainment Studios in Santa Monica to oversee the creation of “unscripted video content for Microsoft”. According to IMDB, Mark is the AMC executive behind reality successes The Pitch, Comic Book Men and Talking Dead. Apparently these shows are very successful, although I honestly don’t understand how The Walking Dead ended up with a talk show.

I may be the only woman/person left on this planet who really doesn’t enjoy reality TV – it seems to have permeated every aspect of our culture. Now we’re getting reality TV on the Xbox? What is this – Keeping up with the Console Wars? I suppose this is meant to balance out the Spielberg Halo project – I just wonder what kinds of strange and bizarre reality TV we can expect.

Last year, we got announcement about documentaries/unscripted TV shows for Xbox – one announcement was for a soccer show, the other was about unearthing the Atari ET game landfill. I’d honestly be interested in seeing that show about all the buried ET cartridges, but I’m not sure it would have much mainstream appeal. If the Xbox TV is supposed to appeal to the masses, shouldn’t it be like a normal TV production house – a rival to Netflix? Then again, I’m so confused by this business model, I obviously must be missing the point.

Last Updated: January 24, 2014

70 Comments

  1. Admiral Chief in Vegas

    January 24, 2014 at 10:01

    The only thing worse than reality TV, is getting your nuts stapled to a table, wait….Nope, reality TV is worse

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      January 24, 2014 at 10:03

      I remember when there used to be history on the History channel. Now we have American Pickers and Swamp People.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief in Vegas

        January 24, 2014 at 10:04

        Indeed

        Reply

      • Unavengedavo

        January 24, 2014 at 10:57

        I read somewhere that they had to do this to adapt because no one was watching the channel. At least with stuff like American Pickers and Pawn stars there is still some element of history in it. I also saw that they were going to air the Viking series as well. So they are still trying to keep some form of history in the shows they air

        Reply

        • Gustav Willem Diedericks

          January 24, 2014 at 13:25

          Problem is History channels docs have always really been B-rate crap. Half-arsed research and lots of drivel. Few of their historical documentaries can really be called that.

          Reply

      • ALKi1234

        January 24, 2014 at 13:13

        Worst of all it’s all fake scripted shait. Reality TV isn’t “reality” anymore and it’s so so sad. Thank goodness theirs stuff like UFC to get my fix now days.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          January 24, 2014 at 13:16

          Got my Netflix on. For the sake of other people I keep the DSTV on.

          Reply

    • RinceThis2014

      January 24, 2014 at 10:11

      YES.

      Reply

    • Umar Break Dancing Cyborg

      January 24, 2014 at 10:21

      I quite like those Nerd reality shows. Like Beauty and the Geek and King of geeks/nerds

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        January 24, 2014 at 10:34

        Beauty & the Geek is probably the only exception for me.

        Reply

        • Umar Break Dancing Cyborg

          January 24, 2014 at 10:36

          Yeah it’s pretty entertaining , seeing as they feature real geek culture as well. I just get a good feeling seeing introverted nerds hit it off with the females on the show

          Reply

        • TiMsTeR1033

          January 24, 2014 at 10:38

          who thinks up these names..

          Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      January 24, 2014 at 10:39

      Well things like Mythbusters are also classified as reality TV and that’s awesome

      Reply

      • TiMsTeR1033

        January 24, 2014 at 10:40

        okay yes they are awesome. but many many other shows are utter kak..

        Reply

      • Admiral Chief in Vegas

        January 24, 2014 at 10:41

        Mythbusters doesn’t deal with people pretending or being annoying.

        Mythbusters is SCIENCE and AWESOMENESS combined into an explosive entertaining package!

        Reply

  2. Hammersteyn

    January 24, 2014 at 10:02

    In other words, less games more Kardashians. Not that any of these shows will be available here any

    Reply

    • DarthofZA

      January 24, 2014 at 10:10

      That is like saying because Spar now sells sushi they will be selling less cooldrinks. That train of thought makes no sense.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief in Vegas

        January 24, 2014 at 10:34

        I’m not sure how you got to that

        Reply

        • RinceThis2014

          January 24, 2014 at 11:01

          Ya, my brain is still twisting about trying to figure that out too..

          Reply

      • Spathi

        January 24, 2014 at 10:34

        No, actually it does. To take your example: the PS4 is a Sushi shop and the Xbone is Spar. The Sushi shop only focuses on sushi, and therefore has a greater selection of sushi and the sushi is better quality. The Spar also has great sushi, but seeing as sushi is not their focus, they don’t quite has the same quality or quantity.

        And please, don’t come with your old “Xbone has better games” argument, it is embarrassing.

        Reply

        • DarthofZA

          January 24, 2014 at 11:43

          The sushi shop down the road from me has horrible sushi. We buy sushi from spar rather than from them because the Spar sushi is so fresh and delicious. But once a month we’ll drive 30 minutes to get to a restaurant which has the most amazing and tasty Sushi, but Sushi is only about 25% of their menu. They do a lot of other dishes as well. The sushi shop down the road Sushi is more than 80% of their menu. So still, the argument makes no sense.

          And it is not embarrassing to say the Xbone has better games. As it stands, the Xbone does have better games already out than the PS4 does. That isn’t saying much, as the best games on both platforms are the multiplat ones and both are under delivering in that department, but it doesn’t make it any less true. Your blind hatred for the Xbone is what is really embarrassing.

          And no, I won’t be getting a Xbone anytime soon, I am still leaning towards the PS4 as the next console I buy. I’m just not a fanboy either way. Now excuse me while I go an play more Wind Waker on my WiiU, which is currently my favourite of the new gen of consoles due to it having the best exclusives, by far.

          Reply

          • Spathi

            January 24, 2014 at 12:11

            I don’t have blind hatred for the XBO, I really don’t. If I lived in the US, it would’ve / could’ve been awesome. I really just don’t get why someone would buy it here though. Maybe later on and only if the DSTV (which I don’t have) integration becomes a reality. I value my money, a lot. I work hard for what I have and there is no way in hell I’d let brand preference get the better of me. If the XBO was the better buy, I’d go for that. But it isn’t, not in any way or form currently. And their focus isn’t what I perceive as a good future for a gaming console. I don’t get brand preference. If both consoles are exactly the same, sure, choose the one you like better, but they are not (talking in general).

      • Hammersteyn

        January 24, 2014 at 10:41

        I think you missed my train of thought, but we will see when the XBOX gets here.

        Reply

  3. Kensei Seraph Moe Ninja

    January 24, 2014 at 10:07

    I don’t see the point to reality tv.
    The only time I’ve watched it is when the only other option was switching the tv off and staring at a blank screen (I eventually tried that and found it was a better choice).

    Reply

  4. RinceThis2014

    January 24, 2014 at 10:12

    Unscripted “Wave hand for Dorothy to slap Debbie”, “Wiggle eyebrows for Brad to hit on Liz” My gods, the options are limitless…

    Reply

  5. Gavin Mannion

    January 24, 2014 at 10:12

    The reality TV show the Xbox One is currently starring in is Survivor

    Reply

    • RinceThis2014

      January 24, 2014 at 10:13

      BOOM! Nice man, nice 🙂

      Reply

    • Her Highness the Hipster

      January 24, 2014 at 10:26

      you can’t win comment of the week, boss. sorry! 😛

      Reply

      • TiMsTeR1033

        January 24, 2014 at 10:29

        He can try!

        Reply

      • RinceThis2014

        January 24, 2014 at 10:34

        Agreed!

        Reply

      • VampyricSquirrel Monk

        January 24, 2014 at 10:39

        We can give him a Noddy Badge for trying though

        Reply

      • Gavin Mannion

        January 24, 2014 at 10:39

        oh piss off… I can’t win anything

        Reply

        • Spathi

          January 24, 2014 at 10:40

          I guess Zoe just won herself more won though..?

          Reply

        • TiMsTeR1033

          January 24, 2014 at 10:41

          That is verbal abuse! watch it hahahaha

          Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          January 24, 2014 at 10:44

          nana, nana, nana, nana, BATMAN!

          Reply

    • Unavengedavo

      January 24, 2014 at 10:54

      And if it were a TV series? I would have to go with “Lost”

      Reply

    • Lourens Jordaan

      January 24, 2014 at 10:59

      With a guest appearance of the Wii-U

      Reply

  6. FoxOneZA

    January 24, 2014 at 10:14

    The Banana’s weekend is now made!

    Reply

  7. Lourens Jordaan

    January 24, 2014 at 10:16

    Game dev diaries. (self explanatory)
    Let’s play X, (Show following a games reviewer and his gaming on a daily basis)
    Lazy Gamers (a show following the LG team around the world filming everything from conventions to pepper eating contests)

    I’ll watch them all!

    Reply

    • Unavengedavo

      January 24, 2014 at 10:53

      Let’s play X <—– This would be unscripted, but MS would pay him/her to only talk good about their products

      Reply

  8. Umar Break Dancing Cyborg

    January 24, 2014 at 10:20

    Kim Kardashian X Kanye West reality show. Living in the North-West side of Miami

    Reply

  9. TiMsTeR1033

    January 24, 2014 at 10:21

    Xbox One is failing more and more…

    Reply

    • TiMsTeR1033

      January 24, 2014 at 10:30

      Who downvotes me for that! Reality shows can go fuck themselves!

      Reply

      • RinceThis2014

        January 24, 2014 at 10:34

        HAHAHA man! 🙂

        Reply

      • Unavengedavo

        January 24, 2014 at 11:18

        “Reality shows can go fuck themselves!”… Don’t give the porn industry ideas for reality shows :O

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          January 24, 2014 at 11:19

          Porn isn’t real? O_O

          Reply

  10. Alien Emperor Trevor

    January 24, 2014 at 10:23

    Hmm, another reason to not get an Xbone, besides for EVERYTHING.

    Reply

    • RinceThis2014

      January 24, 2014 at 10:24

      So, welcome back Trevor 😉

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        January 24, 2014 at 10:25

        Yes well, I did say it was only for a day. I don’t know if I’d be able to survive a whole week like I did back when I was young & filled with hope.

        Reply

        • RinceThis2014

          January 24, 2014 at 10:33

          How’s the work course going? 🙂

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            January 24, 2014 at 10:36

            It’s not. We sat around for 10 min waiting for the JHB people who were all late as usual, then they started the presentation which was pointless because you can’t hear clearly over the conference call phone thingy, then the network died so we couldn’t see the presentation lol.

          • RinceThis2014

            January 24, 2014 at 10:41

            I trust you muttered something like ‘I haven’t been this disappointed since last year’s promise of a decent bonus’ 😉

          • TiMsTeR1033

            January 24, 2014 at 10:42

            one should be glad they even get a bonus… my cheap ass boss gives you a pat on the back!

          • Unavengedavo

            January 24, 2014 at 11:17

            Hope he doesn’t read LG… Just now you would lose that as well! O_o

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            January 24, 2014 at 10:43

            You still get promised bonuses? O_O

          • RinceThis2014

            January 24, 2014 at 11:00

            Nope. I got my contract yesterday. Upgraded from yearly contract to permanent, not even an inflation increase, nobody got one. Sucks.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            January 24, 2014 at 11:18

            Wow that’s not cool. That’s one thing I hate about being part of a corp instead of a private co – used to get damn good increases, now we’re lucky to get an inflation adjustment.

          • TiMsTeR1033

            January 24, 2014 at 10:41

            odd normally cape town people are the slow ones..

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            January 24, 2014 at 10:42

            I know right? You’d think the way JHB people run around like headless chickens they’d be able to be on time. 😛

        • Admiral Chief in Vegas

          January 24, 2014 at 10:35

          So?

          Achievement unlocked?

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            January 24, 2014 at 10:48

            Nah, it was only a day so not really that much of a challenge – and I wasn’t perfectly nice either.

  11. Umar Break Dancing Cyborg

    January 24, 2014 at 10:25

    I’ll be honest, I still want a bone

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      January 24, 2014 at 10:25

      That’s what she said.

      Reply

      • Umar Break Dancing Cyborg

        January 24, 2014 at 10:27

        Hehe She wanted a bone, gave her one, she chewed on it so hard. I thought she was chocking!!!
        .
        .
        .
        So I took her to the vet, poor dog

        Reply

        • TiMsTeR1033

          January 24, 2014 at 10:28

          I was thinking something completely different..

          Reply

          • Umar Break Dancing Cyborg

            January 24, 2014 at 10:28

            😉

  12. WooOpsIDunItAgainst

    January 24, 2014 at 10:29

    I can see Ari Gold – I’m ready to go here, alright? It’s like R. Kelly at recess.

    Reply

  13. Brady miaau

    January 24, 2014 at 10:51

    um, oh be still my beating heart?

    Oh wait……….

    Reply

  14. Rikus

    January 24, 2014 at 11:28

    Ironically, the “Don’t stop now…” bar has the “The Xbox One is still ‘all about gaming'” article. Really Microsoft? Really?

    Reply

  15. Gustav Willem Diedericks

    January 24, 2014 at 13:24

    Don’t worry, Zoe. I also abhore reality TV. I just hope Sony doesn’t get in on the action. Those Japs can come up with some freaky stuff.

    Reply

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