If there's a show called 'Hoarders', why isn't there a 'Wasters'?

[bandit957]

There's a reality show on cable called 'Hoarders', which is about real people who are compulsive hoarders. But why isn't there a show about compulsive wasters?

People who waste things annoy me a lot more than people who hoard things. It bugs me to no end. We all know people (maybe even a family member) who throw away things that are perfectly good. In fact, 'Hoarders' involves wasting a lot of useful items people hoarded.

I get accused of hoarding because I refuse to throw away perfectly good road maps and records (especially 45's I buyed when I was in grade school), so I think 'hoard' might be one of these words that just gets thrown around by people who don't know what it means.

[Scott5114]

If something is perfectly good but has no foreseeable use, what would you do with it?

[jeffandnicole]

I take home leftovers way more than the common person apparently.  I paid for that food; I'm gonna eat it!

[SectorZ]

But why isn't there a show about compulsive wasters?

There are. Kardashians, Paris Hilton, anything on MTV/VH1. Really, any show following the rich and useless.

[Paulinator66]

There's a reality show on cable called 'Hoarders', which is about real people who are compulsive hoarders. But why isn't there a show about compulsive wasters?

People who waste things annoy me a lot more than people who hoard things. It bugs me to no end. We all know people (maybe even a family member) who throw away things that are perfectly good. In fact, 'Hoarders' involves wasting a lot of useful items people hoarded.

I get accused of hoarding because I refuse to throw away perfectly good road maps and records (especially 45's I buyed when I was in grade school), so I think 'hoard' might be one of these words that just gets thrown around by people who don't know what it means.

If people throw things away how would you do a TV show about it?  There would be nothing on screen except an empty garbage can.
Only Seinfeld can do a show about nothing.

[Bruce]

A show about 'Wasters' would qualify just about every person in the United States. We throw out a ton of food, recyclable material, clothing, toys, electronics, books, etc. without much of a care.

[ozarkman417]

The rich YouTubers that smash tech and cars just for fun and ad revenue could count...

When I get a pizza I usually eat half of it that night then save the other half for lunch the next day.

[Brandon]

A show about 'Wasters' would qualify just about every person in the United States world. We throw out a ton of food, recyclable material, clothing, toys, electronics, books, etc. without much of a care.

It's fairly endemic to more than just one country.

[Max Rockatansky]

Isn't the nature of reality TV technically "waste"  or at least garbage like?

[formulanone]

Isn't the nature of reality TV technically "waste"  or at least garbage like?

Programming is the filler between the advertising for nearly every channel.

Buy more stuff, you're not cool enough, or you'll miss out!

[US71]

There's a reality show on cable called 'Hoarders', which is about real people who are compulsive hoarders. But why isn't there a show about compulsive wasters?

People who waste things annoy me a lot more than people who hoard things. It bugs me to no end. We all know people (maybe even a family member) who throw away things that are perfectly good. In fact, 'Hoarders' involves wasting a lot of useful items people hoarded.

I get accused of hoarding because I refuse to throw away perfectly good road maps and records (especially 45's I buyed when I was in grade school), so I think 'hoard' might be one of these words that just gets thrown around by people who don't know what it means.

My ex-GF of 15 years ago was visited by Hoarders. She never threw anything out and was always collecting new crap (usually books on Medieval music). She only called them when the city threatened to condemn her house.

[xcellntbuy]

There was a syndicated program once called, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," code for 'wasters.'

[wanderer2575]

There's a reality show on cable called 'Hoarders', which is about real people who are compulsive hoarders. But why isn't there a show about compulsive wasters?

People who waste things annoy me a lot more than people who hoard things. It bugs me to no end. We all know people (maybe even a family member) who throw away things that are perfectly good. In fact, 'Hoarders' involves wasting a lot of useful items people hoarded.

"Reality" TV isn't about what viewers find annoying; it's about what viewers find fascinating and entertaining (however shallow).  And it certainly isn't about educating, enlightening, or commenting on social consciousness.  People watch "Hoarders" because they are entertained by others' misery.  Nobody would watch "Wasters" because it would only be...  well, annoying.

There was a syndicated program once called, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," code for 'wasters.'

Or "My Lottery Dream Home," where the host takes lottery winners on househunting trips.  But these shows aren't specifically highlighting waste, so they work.  Living in extravagance is not the same as throwing things out.

[RobbieL2415]

I wouldn't call it "Wasters" because the word "waste" can have connotations to the word "murder".

[PHLBOS]

I wouldn't call it "Wasters" because the word "waste" can have connotations to the word "murder".

The word could also have connotations to drug use/users.

[Brian556]

Government agencies and large companies are the worst. TxDOT always threw away perfectly good stuff, so does Target

As far as Hoarders go, the fact that they are nasty and too lazy to clean is a way bigger problem than keeping too much stuff. The show should be called "Lazy Pigs"