If you look at reality shows these days, it’s enough to make you scream. The “Housewives” franchise, “Big Brother,” which I’ve never seen, “The Rachel Zoe Project,” which I saw five minutes of, “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette,” “Fear Factor,” are all reality shows I had absolutely no interest in. They all come off as highly polished and intensely engineered documentaries. But they’re simply not as good.
Image at: InfoBarrel
I was reading an article written by a woman who lives on a farm with 200 rescued animals. I saw the link on Facebook and it was interesting. Apparently this woman wants to pitch a network about her life. The article was funny, enlightening and interesting. And she’s right. I think it would make a fascinating show. And of course you’ve got Heidi Fleiss’s show that apparently never got off the ground. I kind of had hope for that one. She may be a nut job, but she is very smart.
This got me thinking: If I had my own reality show, what would it be like? Well, it would probably involve me ramming around airports, making chop and repeatedly mopping my floor. Throw in a lot of typing with a parrot on my shoulder, and gluing my fingers together making scarves and pillows for parrot adoption non-profits and you’d have one damned boring show.
But if you followed me around Best Friends or the Cincinnati Zoo, that would be fun.
This got me even thinking some more: What would your reality show be like?
So in doing all of this thinking, I got to thinking: I’m thinking it’s high time for another contest.
So here’s the deal. I want you to come up with a concept for your own reality TV show. It can be anything, but obviously one that includes an animal theme or has to do with working with animals in some way gets big points. I haven’t come up with a prize yet, but I’ll think of something really cool. Or at least kind of cool. The more creative the format, the better.
Photographs? Of course! If you can manage it. Drawings, photo shop, storyboards, perhaps a script would work. What would be even cooler would be a video. Anything you can put together that would “pitch” your reality show. Group entries are welcome, but don’t kill me as I don’t have Warren Buffet’s bank account. In the meantime, I’m going to try and get a sponsor to help with the prizes.
This is a tough one, so you have until noon on Christmas Day. I know it sounds like a long time but seeing as the holidays are coming up, people are going to be busy. This ought to give you ample time to come up with a show concept, a pitch and a way of providing background on what the show is all about. You can use imaginary hosts, guests, and concepts. But remember, it has to be a “Reality Show,” so no ideas of your macaw flying to the moon unless you can figure out how to get him actually invited by NASA and show me the space suit. Good luck with your reality show and I can’t wait to see the entries!
Patricia Sund
Parrot Nation 
November 20, 2011 at 9:44 am
hi there patricia
brilliant post as always i would love to pitch for a reality show my concept would be based around the non profit making organisation that i volunteer for called parrotaid rescue (please check out my facebook for photos) we dont just rescue parrots we also attend steam fairs, local events, school assemblies etc educating people in the uk the versatility and enjoyment that parrots can bring with the right education, love and respect for these creatures. i can talk from experience as before 2009 i had no concept of owning a bird or had even seen a parrot other than on tv and books – now however i have the fortune to be owned by 2 miniature hahn macaws, 1 monks parakeet and 1 orange bellied senegal but the organisation takes well over a dozen parrots with us as well as holding a monthly club meeting and a fortnight clinic that is an education in itself – a friend of mine recently tried to impress a new girlfriend by introducing me as a parrot expert – although the respect was nice i very quickly pointed out that i am far from an expert because and i am sure many more will agree with me here but the minute you think you know your parrots inside and out and think that nothing can surprise you then …. you guessed it something happens usually now in the entertaining aspect that surprises me and no doubt you also
LikeLike
November 20, 2011 at 10:31 am
OK here is my submission. I would open a retirement/assisted living facility for senior citizens and their pets. Three rules would apply 1. you must be of retirement age, 2. You must own at least one parrot and 3. You would stay at the retirement village free of charge as long as you would allow cameras to tape your every move and you would receive help daily in caring for your pets and yourself. Now we all know that baby boomers have many parrots in their households and rescues are already taxed with the amounts of parrots in their care and that is only going to increase. This would insure that those who may not be able care for their birds the way they would like to would get the help they need. Most importantly it would bring to light the plight of our senior citizens. In my perfect vision the show would be narrated and have commentary by one of this country’s most beloved senior citizens, Betty White. If you sit back and really think about it senior citizens have plenty to offer and they are one of the most uncensored groups of people. They tell you like it is and what you need to hear. They also have a deep love for their pets and a great appreciation for life and the lessons they have learned. If you have ever spent any time in a retirement village you know that the residents have a great time with one another and anytime you get a large group together drama will allows ensue. Add parrots to that mix and you have a great combination. Thanks for reading…
LikeLike
November 20, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Pam Tomlinson is officially entering. My Reality show is about my love for parrots and wanting to adopt them to give them a better life. Of coarse my easy going husband sometimes takes some persuading so what I do is surprise him with a new rescue when he gets home from work. The first ten minutes is usually OMG what have you done and then followed up by getting the bird settled. Then it is the daily life of living with these wonderful birds as one is constantly trying to bite the husband in the butt as he walks by her cage. The other one is making the zipper sound and yelling Let’s Go to get him out the door in the morning. Another one is a non talker but is so in love with husband that she rings her bell everytime she sees him or wants him to come and be near her. Our newest member Bella a Blue and Gold Macaw always greets him with a hello when he walks in the room and takes her wing and waves hello. It is a never ending day of joy living amongst these wonderful birds.
LikeLike
December 22, 2011 at 11:31 pm
“Parrot Rescue? I thought that parrots were expensive and that they wouldn’t need rescue?” Such was a common response from friends and family last year when I would mention that I was fostering a bird for a local parrot rescue organization. However, the truth is that few large parrots remain in one home for their entire lives. Many parrots find themselves in need of a new home when they outlive their owners or when their owners can no longer care for them.
LikeLike