Would you participate in a reality show?

[Trotskie]

A friends nephew was recently approached by MTV and asked to participate in a reality show that focuses on the life of high school musicians/bands.  He is not the front man or the reason MTV is interested, but would be a significant presence on the show and a participant in the narrative etc. 

The nephew is 17; normal middle class suburban kid.  No showbiz connections or aspirations.

I don't think MTV intends to pay anything.  I think that they are just hoping that he and the other band members will do it for fun and exposure. 

My initial reaction was to think that MTV is going to be making money off of me.  And worst case I become an internet joke; some sort of persona develops that would follow me around for a while.  An outcome for which I'd like to be compensated.   

Any thoughts?

[steve davidson]

it's kind of hard for me to not be on these things esp when E! is constantly looking for hot studs being rich all over exotic locales throwing money in the air and dancing with my rich thin pals wearing sunglasses.

[kiemzi]

I dunno... 'member "Reality Bites"? Winona Ryder is a super serious documentary maker, but then Ben Stiller takes her super important footage and edits it to be super lame and embarrassing? Plus, he makes E Hawke's hair look super greasy?

[yesno]

No.  I would never volunteer for a for-profit enterprise.  Unless the kind wants to be a "star" like Sanjaya or Reggie Munroe later on.

[Keith Whitener]

The Best Show is a "reality show". Ever call into that?

[betheboy]

If MTV is going to make some coin of of his work he should get a piece, it's only fair.  I know a lot of people who work for and with MTV. They don't work for free and neither should the kid.  He should at very least ask for a skee-ball machine or a trip to Space Camp.

[fonpr]

What is reality?

Besides Philip K. Dick's wonderful answer.

[nec13]

A reality show based around the life of Fredericks. Does anyone else besides me else think this is a great idea?

EDIT: On second thought, it may not be such a good idea.

[yesno]

The Best Show is a "reality show". Ever call into that?

A)  Yes.
B)  It's not for profit.
C)  Calling into a radio show is not the same thing as agreeing to have cameras follow you around and getting a show made of it.

[buffcoat]

I'm Audi 5000 babe.

[Gilly]

I wouldn't do it but you can't blame MTV or any other station for not paying people when people will do it for free.

[Trembling Eagle]

"I need fame without bread like I need a hole in the head"

[emma]

I wouldn't do it but you can't blame MTV or any other station for not paying people when people will do it for free.

Um...yes you can.

[yesno]

I wouldn't do it but you can't blame MTV or any other station for not paying people when people will do it for free.

Um...yes you can.

Yeah, I wouldn't make it illegal for them to be exploitative dicks but that doesn't stop me from observing that they're exploitative dicks.

[nec13]

I wouldn't do it but you can't blame MTV or any other station for not paying people when people will do it for free.

Um...yes you can.

Yeah, I wouldn't make it illegal for them to be exploitative dicks but that doesn't stop me from observing that they're exploitative dicks.

I agree with emma and yesno.

Personally, I don't understand why an individual would let himself/herself be exploited in that fashion. What's the payoff?