Photo Credit: Flickr user wwarby
Let’s begin by saying I’m not a fan of reality shows. Obviously the networks love them because they’re cheap to produce (no Charlie Sheen-sized salaries) and they’re disposable (anyone remember “Amish in the City” or “Sorority Life?”). Plus, to me, having Snookie and the Kardashians elevated to the level of “stars” is beyond absurd.
But I have to confess there are two reality shows I find fascinating, probably because they’re so remarkably different and yet so remarkably the same.
The first is the AMC’s new series “The Pitch”… a behind-the-scenes look at the unique agency culture, and what actually goes on as two rival advertising agencies lock horns in a sudden-death competition to capture a new client. With only seven days from assignment to presentation, it’s intense, hard work for every team member. Nerves and emotions are tested, and every ounce of experience and talent is tapped as they look to find the big idea … the one that the prospect will find attractive, even irresistible.
It all leads up to the actual presentation, where they have to shelve their fears and find the energy to passionately sell their ideas to an often wary prospect. Then, it’s either total elation or utter despair when the client makes their selection on which agency has hooked their business, and which one, after all their time and effort, will see the prize slip through their fingers.
It’s work that’s exhilarating and rewarding, yet often vicious, discouraging and agency life-threatening.
The second is the series “Swamp People.” Its about people who live and work in the Louisiana bayou, specifically, about guys who make their living hunting alligators. (See, I told you they were different.) It’s all wrapped in the Cajun culture that’s built on the “deep-rooted traditions of a unique, hard-working people.”
The first Wednesday in September, alligator season in Louisiana begins and it lasts only 30 days. In this brief time, competing teams of hunters must earn most of their yearly income by capturing their limit of alligators. It’s a high risk occupation that depends on the skill and experience of the hunter and the whims of weather.
They’re always on the hunt, seeking the best location, then placing a hook with a hopefully irresistible bait and the goal of capturing the biggest, most dominant alligator possible.
(See, I told you they were the same.)
Hard working teams, fearlessly trying to capture “the big one” … in a job that’s exhilarating and rewarding, yet often vicious, discouraging and life-threatening.
And in both, as alligator hunter Troy says … “No guts, no gator.”