Nobel laureates call for end to TV's "Stars Earn Stripes"

[cali]

LOS ANGELES | Mon Aug 13, 2012 8:26pm EDT

(Reuters) - Nine Nobel Peace laureates, including retired South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, on Monday called on television network NBC to cancel its "Stars Earn Stripes" reality show, calling it a bid to "sanitize war by likening it to an athletic competition."

The competition show, due to air for the first time on Monday evening, puts eight celebrities such as singer Nick Lachey and politician Sarah Palin's husband Todd, through military-style training, including helicopter drops and long-range weapons firing.

The celebrities are paired with former members of the U.S. Marines, Green Berets and other forces to compete for a cash prize that would go to a charity of their choice. Producers say the show, hosted by retired U.S. General Wesley Clark, will "pay homage to the men and women who serve in the U.S. armed forces."

In an open letter to NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt, the Nobel Prize winners said that "preparing for war is neither amusing nor entertaining."


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http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/14/entertainment-us-starsearnstripes-idUSBRE87C11020120814

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

1. Somebody's just upset they didn't make the casting.

Seriously, of all the inane bullshit on TV they call for anding "Stars Earn Stripes"?!? Not that I'm endorsing the show or even plan to watch it myself... but there a number of shows on TV that I do believe make people more stupid for having watched them. This "Stars Earn Stripes" show just seems like another celeb reality show akin to Top Shot to me - not worth getting worked up about.

[loli phabay]

2. yup theres gotta be a hundred worse shows than this.

[masmdu]

8. I don't think the point is whether it is a good or bad show in the entertainment sense, but rather

that it promotes an easy acceptance of war and war preparation by making it seem like a game without deadly consequences.

[PayAttentionFool]

3. If the ‘stars’ really want to earn their stripes

They can head on over to the local military recruiter and join on up, some are even open24 hours.

This show is 100% BS and like others have said make war look like a sporting event.

If they really want to make it a reality show one on the contestants should end up with a traumatic brain injury, a few should lose a limb or two and a couple should end up with gunshot wounds.

hey want it real right?

This is not supporting the troops in any way, shape or form. However I am sure it will be a right popular show in the Red States.

[frylock]

15. yep, pat tillman is spinning in his fucking grave..

wanna play soldier? then go and enlist.

[tomp]

4. wesley clark doesn't have anything better to do?

[JesterCS]

5. personally

I liked the show, caught bits of it doing housework.

[PayAttentionFool]

6. So war, fighting and killing is a game and should be trivialized on TV?

As a Vet I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts on this.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

10. With remote warfare, more and more that is the case.

If they want fighting drones to exceed, you know what the military should really do? Stick the controller/stick in a 10 year old's hands. Young kids these days are outrageously good at first person shooters. Of course, a military "co-pilot" would have to keep an eye on the kids and make sure the mission stays on track, make avionics calculations/adjustments, and ensure collateral damage is mitigated... after all, kids are just kids. But put the pilot stick in their little booger-hooks and they'll be racking up "high scores" all day long.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

7. shows like this are what happen

when you go from 3 or 4 major networks to 150+ channels of drivel. each 'network' has to be more over the top outrageous than the next to attract the attention deficit 'me-generation' excitement-deprived super-self-important viewers of today...oh, and let's make sure that we only have 18 minutes of content per 30 minute show to make sure we have room for commercials...

sP

[KurtNYC]

11. this show IS a commercial

just like Apprentice is commercial for worshiping the rich.

The DOD had money in "Hurt Locker", MI5 helped promote the Bond series of films. GE(NBC) is a major defense contractor -- this is an ad for their core business.

[Angry Dragon]

9. "pay homage to the men and women who serve in the U.S. armed forces."

How can it pay homage when they take Ted Nugent wanabees and say they are really learning what it means to be a warrior??

[Bonhomme Richard]

12. No two ways about it. We are a very militaristic society.

This sort of show only perpetuates it.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

13. What do they think the just-concluded Olympics are?

Running, hurdling, javelin throwing, discus throwing, etc. etc. etc. They're a couple of thousand of years too late.

[99Forever]

14. Nothing but pure MIC propaganda.

Garbage for idiots.