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Historical Reality TV

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[quote][i]Originally posted by CT•Ranger[/i]
[br]Ok, so it's not about movies, but tv shows[M/M]

So with "everyone" in America seemingly obsessed with shows like Survivor, The Bachelor, The Mole, etc., have any of you guys seen some of the historical reality tv shows that have been made recently. I believe it started a few years ago with "1900 House" which I think was produced by the BBC. In this show they took an average modern English family with 3 kids, and placed them in a circa 1900 victorian house in London. The interior was completely restored, and the family had to live as if it were 1900 for several months, wearing 1900 clothes, cooking on a coal burning stove, going out back to the outhouse etc. "The Simpsons" even made fun of this in an episode where the Simpson family had to live in a 1900 house.

Then there was "1940s House" where another English family had to live in a circa 1940s house as if it were during WWII. Their cigarettes and food were rationed, no car, and no tv, black-out curtains at night, etc. The idea was to bring history alive, and through this family's experinces, show what life was like on the English homefront during WWII.

American public television picked up the idea after "1900 House" and made "Frontier House." In this show they tried to recreate 3 homesteads in 1880 Montana. I think this show was less successful, partly because it was a harder scenario to recreate (they didn't let them hunt because of modern laws), and because a couple of the families didn't try very hard to live as if it were 1880. They were just modern Americans transplanted into an 1880 log cabin, and fighting with each other all the time over stupid things.

Now PBS has plans for "Colonial House" in which they'll take a bunch of modern Americans, and try to recreate a late 17th century New England community. Hopefully this one will be done better than "Frontier House," check out the website at http://www.pbs.org/colonialhouse

If anyone has seen these shows, what did you think? Is it a stupid concept? Can we learn anything from these kinds of shows?

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CT•Ranger	Posted - April 08 2003 : 3:05:54 PM Ok, so it's not about movies, but tv shows So with "everyone" in America seemingly obsessed with shows like Survivor, The Bachelor, The Mole, etc., have any of you guys seen some of the historical reality tv shows that have been made recently. I believe it started a few years ago with "1900 House" which I think was produced by the BBC. In this show they took an average modern English family with 3 kids, and placed them in a circa 1900 victorian house in London. The interior was completely restored, and the family had to live as if it were 1900 for several months, wearing 1900 clothes, cooking on a coal burning stove, going out back to the outhouse etc. "The Simpsons" even made fun of this in an episode where the Simpson family had to live in a 1900 house. Then there was "1940s House" where another English family had to live in a circa 1940s house as if it were during WWII. Their cigarettes and food were rationed, no car, and no tv, black-out curtains at night, etc. The idea was to bring history alive, and through this family's experinces, show what life was like on the English homefront during WWII. American public television picked up the idea after "1900 House" and made "Frontier House." In this show they tried to recreate 3 homesteads in 1880 Montana. I think this show was less successful, partly because it was a harder scenario to recreate (they didn't let them hunt because of modern laws), and because a couple of the families didn't try very hard to live as if it were 1880. They were just modern Americans transplanted into an 1880 log cabin, and fighting with each other all the time over stupid things. Now PBS has plans for "Colonial House" in which they'll take a bunch of modern Americans, and try to recreate a late 17th century New England community. Hopefully this one will be done better than "Frontier House," check out the website at http://www.pbs.org/colonialhouse If anyone has seen these shows, what did you think? Is it a stupid concept? Can we learn anything from these kinds of shows?
14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Pen	Posted - May 18 2003 : 7:40:01 PM Hi, All, I forgot to mention my second-favorite bit from 'Manor House'--the part where Mr. Edgar had to shave the master of the house with a straight razor! ("No, don't be afraid!") Whoa! Talk about playing 'Who Do You Trust?' ! Pen
CT•Ranger	Posted - May 15 2003 : 10:38:49 PM "I'd like to see what would happen if any F&I reenactors signed up for 'Colonial House'!" Me too. I applied, and I know others did. But there's no way they would accept a reenactor. I know some guys really dumbed down their answers, like they didn't know much about history, and they were accepted for the first cut. I figure it's the reenactors, those who know more about the historical lifestyle are the ones who would get more out of the experience, and be able to apply the leasons learned. But that's not what the producers are looking for. They want a bunch of people who will complain and be uncomfortable, and not know what they're doing or getting into. So instead of getting a more authentic experience, you get a watered down version of what it might be like to have some 21st century people try to pretend to be something they know absolutely nothing about. It's really not very educational either. I saw the first two episodes of "Warrior Challenge" the other night. What I really liked aout that show is that they got men from the U.S. Airforce, and British Policemen to try to recreate the experince of Roman Legionaires along Hadrian's Wall in Britain. Guys who had experience doing similar things that ancient Roman soldiers did. I also liked the episode about 15th Century Knights, because they had a British Mounted Policeman, and a Polo player try to be Knights, guys who were experienced horsemen. What I liked about the Knights episode is that they accurately showed how swords were used by 15th century Knights in combat, very interesting.
Wilderness Woman	Posted - May 15 2003 : 8:13:10 PM quote: Originally posted by Pen My favorite bit was when Mr. Edgar came into the bedroom and found the couple in bed. "No, it's 'Strip...RUN!'" Yes, that was funny. It was a bit of a surprise, because I had gotten so used to seeing the "strict-Edwardian" Mr. Edgar... not the 21st century man who would naturally think and act more modern. quote: As for Historical Reality TV, I do wish PBS would limit these projects to a month. Anything more and the people who signed on for it revolt and demand changes. Hmmm.. I don't know... it seems like perhaps a month wouldn't be long enough to give everyone a chance to completely immerse themselves into their roles. BTW, it's nice to hear from you again! Where have you been?
Pen	Posted - May 15 2003 : 4:27:20 PM Hi, All, I only saw parts of 'Manor House', mostly because I caught myself saying two things an awful lot: "Stick a sock in it!" (I'm keeping it clean for the board )or, "You volunteered for this...right?" I liked Mr. Edgar and Msr. Dubiard, though. I don't know why, but Msr. Dubiard, the way he seemed to be always battening down the hatches and running around, reminded me of Rowan Atkinson somehow...I know, I'm weird ! I loved it when he jumped over the fence at the end. W.W., I agree with you about the pig's head. Ick! At least it was removed from the table. My favorite bit was when Mr. Edgar came into the bedroom and found the couple in bed. "No, it's 'Strip...RUN!'" As for Historical Reality TV, I do wish PBS would limit these projects to a month. Anything more and the people who signed on for it revolt and demand changes. On 'Manor House' there seemed to be a lot of 'This wouldn't have been done in 1906, BUT...' going on. I'd like to see what would happen if any F&I reenactors signed up for 'Colonial House'! Pen
Wilderness Woman	Posted - May 15 2003 : 08:11:34 AM quote: Originally posted by CT•Ranger ...most of the downstairs staff did a pretty good job, except the hall boy and scullery maid. I agree. Most of them did settle into their roles quite well. The two you mentioned... well, they had their own... er... agenda, didn't they? quote: It's amazing that such a society could have existed less than a mere 100 years ago. It's so close yet so foreign to todays society. It really showed how much has changed since 1910. Doesn't it still exist, in the highest upper class and royalty? Huggy, can you help us out here? All I know is what I see on TV. I mean, I know that there are still people who are "in service"... but do the same rules of separation still exist between the upstairs and the downstairs people?
CT•Ranger	Posted - May 14 2003 : 7:22:06 PM I did see all the episodes of "Manor House." I thought the two participants who got into the role the most were Mr. Edgar and Msr. Dubiard. Everyone else tried to cut corners here and there, or didn't completely get into the role. Although most of the downstairs staff did a pretty good job, except the hall boy and scullery maid. My dad said the show reminded him of his grandparents who grew up in that period, and had the same sense of discipline etc. It's amazing that such a society could have existed less than a mere 100 years ago. It's so close yet so foreign to todays society. It really showed how much has changed since 1910. I have seen "Gosford Park" and thought it was very well done, and not the murder mystery I had expected. I believe the house used in "Manor House" and "Gosford Park" are the same. The fowling party in "Gosford Park" and "Manor House" were almost identical as well.
Wilderness Woman	Posted - May 14 2003 : 4:37:27 PM Wow! That is quite a list of stars! The only ones I don't recognize right off hand are Jeremy Northam and Ryan Phillippe. All of the others I can put a face to, and have seen in action. Alan Bates I have been in love with for years (ever since Georgy Girl), but my new heartthrob is Richard E. Grant! Sir Percy Blakeney, "The Scarlet Pimpernel"... Sigh...... But, I digress... I will definitely rent "Gosford Park" soon!
Adele	Posted - May 14 2003 : 3:45:29 PM quote: That sounds like a good one, Huggy! Thanks for the recommendation. Do you remember about when it was made, and who starred in it? I can remember watching "Upstairs Downstairs" on public television back in the 70's, and being absolutely fascinated with it. I actually wish they would run it again sometime. It was made towards the end of 2001, and the cast list is extraordinary - at least it is to a Brit! Not sure whether all the names would be familiar the other side of the pond! The main stars are Dame Maggie Smith, Alan Bates, Helen Mirren, Jeremy Northam, Charles Dance, Richard E Grant, Derek Jacobi, Ryan Phillippe, Michael Gambon, Kristin Scott Thomas...etc etc... Here is a link with some more info... http://us.imdb.com/Title?0280707 Enjoy! HM PS I think they occasionally still show Upstairs Downstairs here - it was such a favourite with the British public!
Wilderness Woman	Posted - May 14 2003 : 3:01:40 PM quote: Originally posted by Huggy Merchant For Wilderness Woman, and anyone else interested in the old English class structure of the 19th/20th century, I can recommend an excellent movie...the Robert Altman film, "Gosford Park" which is a murder mystery as seen through the eyes of both the upper class and the servants. That sounds like a good one, Huggy! Thanks for the recommendation. Do you remember about when it was made, and who starred in it? I can remember watching "Upstairs Downstairs" on public television back in the 70's, and being absolutely fascinated with it. I actually wish they would run it again sometime.
Adele	Posted - May 14 2003 : 1:54:55 PM I watched both the 1900's house and the 1940's house shows when they were aired on British television some time ago, and I thoroughly enjoyed both of them. It appeared to me that they had really done well to recreate the time periods and had solicited all sorts of help and advice from experts in those eras. I particularly enjoyed the 1940's house because of my own interest in that period, and thought that the recreation of what it was like for those families seeking protection in the middle of the night in their back yard bomb shelters was particularly good. For Wilderness Woman, and anyone else interested in the old English class structure of the 19th/20th century, I can recommend an excellent movie...the Robert Altman film, "Gosford Park" which is a murder mystery as seen through the eyes of both the upper class and the servants. The murder itself actually plays second fiddle to the goings-on above and below stairs and it is superbly made with an excellent cast. It was quite an education in how a large, rich household was run in the 1930's - quite an eye-opener! I can't recommend it highly enough. HM
Wilderness Woman	Posted - May 14 2003 : 1:17:38 PM Have you seen all of the episodes of "Manor House", CT-R? I would be interested in hearing your comments about it. I did watch it, in spite of myself, because I have always been fascinated with the "Upstairs-Downstairs" aspect of English culture. As I watched the programs, I decided that I would have been much more comfortable in the downstairs area of the household, than the upstairs. My personality type would not fit at all well into the upper class social arena. I would have hated being upstairs, and would have welcomed the work below. As far as the people who were involved, I developed an immense respect for Mr. Edgar, the butler. He went into the project with great seriousness, wanting to somehow become closer to the man who was his grandfather (and who was a butler, in-service). His disappointment, in the beginning, with the young men who were his footmen... and his joy at the end, when they had come around and done well... were very real and were emotional to watch. The other person who amazed me, although I didn't care too much for his personality, was Monsieur Dubiard, the chef. Watching him dashing about the huge kitchen, chopping, sauteing, basting, stoking the fire in the stove, producing multi-course meals fit for royalty using antiquated equipment was highly entertaining. (I could have done without the pig's head, however! I used to raise pigs, and would not enjoy having one look me in the eye while I was eating it.) So, all in all, I enjoyed this one a great deal!
CT•Ranger	Posted - May 06 2003 : 1:40:11 PM check out the newest historical reality tv shows here: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/warriorchallenge/ Haven't seen this one yet. Looks like a bunch of guys dressing up and playing vikings. and: http://www.pbs.org/manorhouse/ Saw the first 2 hours of "Manor House" last night. Interesting idea, it really highlighted the lack of discipline in the younger generation, compared to the strict discipline of the older butler, Mr. Edgar. Seems like it would be difficult to be one of the servants for 3 months, especially the hall boy or scullery maid.
Wilderness Woman	Posted - April 09 2003 : 4:16:55 PM I try very hard to stay away from any of the so-called reality tv programs, but I did watch the "Frontier House" series. I was drawn in by the 1880 time period. I stuck with it and saw the whole series, but I was so thoroughly disgusted with all of the whining, moaning, groaning, complaining, and cheating that I really had to grit my teeth. From the start when the California woman and girls began complaining that they couldn't wear their (gaudy) makeup... then the parents cheated and found a box spring for their rustic bed... I thought they were just pathetic. But the ultimate was when the California man insisted on seeing a modern doctor because he had lost so much weight and was so "thin" that he thought he was starving to death. I laughed when the doctor told him that there was nothing wrong with him and what he saw was a man who was finally fit and trim as a result of hard work!! The redeemimg part of the series, to me, was seeing the wonderful time the young man, Nate, and his father had working together to build the cabin and begin the winter preparations before Nate's bride came. The tears in Nate's eyes when he spoke about, and said goodbye to, his Dad were real... and so were mine. Will I watch the new one coming to PBS, "Colonial House"? If I can grit my teeth hard enough... sure.
daire	Posted - April 09 2003 : 12:29:24 PM I saw parts of 1900 House, missed most of 1940s House, and saw all of Frontier House. And the only "reality" show I watch with any consistency (ok, I'm obsessed ) is Survivor and sometimes the Amazing Race. I think the problems with the PBS ones is that the families think it's going to be some kind of vacation, then can't cope with the stresses it puts on the family relationship(s) when some don't pitch in, or one person takes too much of a leading role. (Same can be said for Survivor, et al.) On Frontier House, I thought Nate and his father, then his wife, coped better than the other two families. In fact, they "won", the judges saying they were most prepared for winter. Since they endeavor to be as authentic as possible in their surroundings/clothes/daily life/whatnot, yeah, I think we can learn something, albeit only as accurate as the historians who help them out. I'd be interested to see Colonial House, what have we got to lose? It can't be any worse than "Benedict Arnold" was...historial inaccuracies aside, it was lame.

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