One of the reality TV shows I ended up enjoying the most was Kid Nation. I wish the Greatest American Dog had a format more like that.
Why I Liked Kid Nation
I was not expecting to like the show. A bunch of kids forming their own society? Um, yeah, I couldn’t see how that’d be interesting.
So I didn’t watch. But Wayne did. He DVRd the first episode and was raving so much about it curiosity won out. I watched and fell in love with those kids. It was hard not to be impressed by so many of them.
Some stepped up, some melted down, some inspired. I forgot I was watching kids half the time because they demonstrated maturity beyond their years when things got tough. And they reminded me that politics starts very early, it’s not just something grownups deal with.
But what I really enjoyed was the Gold Star ceremonies. Instead of voting someone out, the town council had to pick someone to receive a gold star. (Which was worth $20,000, by the way.)
Rewarding behavior instead of singling people out and sending them home? What a concept! No show had gone there before and I think that’s sad.
That’s why I gave Greatest American Dog a chance. I was hoping I’d be pleasantly surprised like when I watched Kid Nation.
For the most part I have enjoyed the show, despite my problem, but I’ve been disappointed too.
What I Find Disappointing about “Greatest”
Other than wondering if they’re looking for the greatest American trainer rather than greatest American dog, I hate that an owner/dog pair always has to go home.
Why couldn’t they have done a points system instead? Whoever has the most at the end of all the competitions is the winner. That way all dogs get a fair shake. Because not all of them are going to be captivated by, and willing to perform, each challenge. (Something very evident during the dancing with the dogs episode.)
I’m not too crazy about the judges being the ones to decide who goes home either. Yes, I think the judges are necessary. What dog competition doesn’t have a judge? (Even the kissing one me and Murph entered at the Dog Days Festival had one.) But why does anyone have to go home? (Yes, I’m back to that again.) And why is it the judges are the ones to decide that?
Not to mention the fact that the role the judges play discounts the Dog Bone Challenges. Sure, it’s swell someone gets rewarded with access to the Dog Bone Suite. Great. But what’s the point of having such challenges when it all comes down to the Best in Show Challenge? And then it becomes the judges judging the owners handling of the dogs more so than the dogs’ performances.
Again, not all dogs will be interested in all challenge activities. Does that make them any less great? Nope.
That’s why I think a points system would have made the show more interesting. If there happened to be a dog who scored high on all the tasks and won, great. But for those who excelled at some things more than others, it would give them a chance to stay and wag another day.
Related Articles
The Search for the Greatest American Dog
Loving “The Greatest American Dog!”
Greatest American Dog: The Personality Episode
The Greatest American Dog: The Elvis Episode
“A Dog is Not a Barbie Doll.” (And Other Greatest Quotes)