MXC

I'm sure we've all seen a show on Spike TV entitled the Most Extreme Elimination Challenge, also known as MXC. A few days ago, I randomly turned on our most recently acquired TV to try it out and MXC was on. It was only then that it dawned on me that the show I had thought was hilarious for so long could be so offensive. I don't know why I didn't realize this before, but I hadn't. However, I also know not to take it as any sort of representation of a race or ethnicity. Given that Spike TV's target audience is the white male, I assume that at least part of those who watch it don't have much exposure to diversity, particularly to people of Asian decent, outside of shows like this and other media portrayals of Asians and Asian-Americans, which are often stereotypical. I just hate knowing that there are some people who are only exposed to this type of portrayal of Asians. Worse, some of these same people may apply this portray to Asians and Asian Americans outside of the show. Should shows like this one exist? Even though the show is dubbed over with out-of-context dialog, some of the things the people are a little ridiculous. Other shows I can think of that are based on ridiculous acts are mostly on MTV and involve college-aged people. Obviously this also does not apply to the broader college-aged population, and I think most people know this. Do people really take the same approach to a show like MXC? Unfortunately, TV often propagates stereotypes, whether these are based on age or ethnicity or on something else. I think identity discussions, which are so integral in our class, also involve breaking stereotypes. Is there anything we can do about this? Education? Edutainment? Taking these shows off the air? I think that is excessive. I won't lie, despite its offensiveness I will still probably watch MXC because I still find humor in it. As my apartmentmate said, most things that are funny are potentially offensive anyway, and I do agree with this. I don't think offensive material should be censored, but knowing your audience matters, as well as what is being portrayed to these audiences even if does not offend said audience. Ultimately, I brought this show up because I want to know what other people think. Out of the three people I polled thus far, two said it was not really offensive; of those two, one found it funny, and the other was kind of offended by it and did not find it funny. What do you think of the show?