We’re no better than the Americans any more

WE thought the screaming, oversharing and confessions of Jerry Springer, Oprah and the like would never happen here. Think again, writes Colin Vickery. We’ve become fame-hungry idiots too.

WHEN did Aussies become fame seekers?

That’s the question I’ve been asking while I watch reality shows including My Kitchen Rules, Married at First Sight, Real Housewives and The Bachelor.

A generation ago, Australians were the polar opposite of Americans when it came to spilling their guts on television.

Back then US television was filled with daytime talk shows where stars and ordinary people would reveal some of their deepest secrets.

The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Phil Donahue Show, The Sally Jessy Raphael Show, and Dr. Phil all rated huge.

The splashiest and trashiest of them all was The Jerry Springer Show where topics included I’m Dating My Son’s Grandfather, My Wife is a Pimp, In-Laws on a Rampage, Gay Cousins in Love and I Refuse to Wear Clothes. You could bet there would be a punch-up by show’s end.

Real Housewives of Sydney (and Melbourne) where women go to throw wine in each other’s faces. (Pic: Foxtel)

The wisdom in local TV circles at the time was that that type of program could never work here because Aussies were way too reserved.

A homegrown Oprah would be a disaster because all the guests would just clam up.

We were too inhibited. We were too polite. We were renowned for keeping our thoughts to ourselves. Unlike the Yanks, we didn’t have a reputation for blabbing or attention-seeking.

How things have changed. You only have to look at the current crop of reality shows to realise that in 2018 we are the equal of the Americans when it comes to over-emoting and over-sharing.

Take Married at First Sight where ordinary Aussies are quite happy to be filmed getting hitched to total strangers.

And in the case of Davina and Dean, are quite happy to be filmed embarking on an affair while the cameras were running. Sheesh.

My Kitchen Rules thrives on finding contestants that will create friction as well as food. This year’s bunch has gone further than ever openly criticising judges Pete Evans, Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge. And one team this season is set to be kicked off after an off-camera scuffle with an opposing team.

Davina provides Tracey with relationship advice on Married at First Sight, despite the fact she was plotting to steal Tracey’s “husband”. (Pic: Channel 9)

Early episodes of The Bachelor always remind me of the movie Heathers. The bitchy behaviour of the female contestants vying for Matty Johnson, Richie Strahan or Sam Wood’s attention wouldn’t be out of place in high school.

The blokes on The Bachelorette are just as bad with their puerile antics (peeing on a rival’s plant, really?) as they hoped to win Sophie Monk’s affections.

The Block can be one long f-bomb, especially when you get “take no prisoners” contestants including twins Alisa and Lysandra Fraser or Deanne Jolly on board.

And Real Housewives of Melbourne and Sydney is an indictment of virtually every cast member.

Once we’d have died of shame before showing off our worst behaviour on national TV.

“I think Australians have fundamentally changed,” Channel 9 content chief Adrian Swift told me recently when we were discussing the contestants on Married At First Sight.

“I think social media has been a part of that. Twenty years ago you couldn’t have achieved a lot of this stuff. I think Big Brother opened the door but social media was the thing that allowed people to share the narrative of their lives

“Whenever you are watching these shows there is a moment when it becomes very apparent that they have forgotten the camera is there. They are not filtering.”

I remember a time when having a filter was seen as a sign of wisdom — but apparently no more.

This attention-seeking syndrome doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Aussies are applying to be on reality shows in record numbers.

In 2018, swearing, crying, shouting, and throwing tantrums is the new norm.

Colin Vickery is a Herald Sun TV writer.