Top Design's Jonathan Adler (Credit: Bravo TV) We watch a lot of reality TV. Every series has a catch phrase it seems. Some work like Donald Trump’s patented, “You’re fired” on The Apprentice, or Jeff Probst’s “the tribe has spoken” line on Survivor. Unfortunately, not all shows have gotten the pithy or even relevant good-bye down pat.
Not by a long shot.
Of course, a catch phrase doesn’t make or break a show. However, a bad catch phrase can annoy, irk and even – in some cases – make you cringe and think of changing the channel. Oh yes! It has happened.
Which shows have the worst catch phrases? Our staff picked five that they absolutely despised. Are you ready? Here goes:
5.) “You’re not on the list” – Kathy Hilton, mama to Paris and Nicky Hilton, unleashed this snobby gem on the contestants of NBC’s horror, I Want to Be a Hilton. We’re not really sure why anyone would want to be a ‘Hilton’ after reading about Paris’ escapades. Of course, the contestants made no secret about being in it for the money and prizes. Now, that’s real class.
4) “You just don’t fit in” – Martha Stewart is not known for being a warm and fuzzy individual, but this catch phrase is just plain mean. She told this to those she eliminated on her version of The Apprentice. Surprisingly enough, the audience didn’t warm up to Stewart or this show. NBC canned it after just one season.
3) “You’re out of style” – The iconic Tommy Hilfiger announced each week to the folks who performed the tasks on his reality TV show. It wasn’t really mean or snobby like the first two. However, this phrase wasn’t exactly right. See – the show was called The Cut. Why didn’t Mr. Hilfiger say, “You didn’t make the cut” instead? To paraphrase Martha Stewart, ‘it just didn’t fit.’
2) “Pack your knives and go” Padma Lakshmi waves off the eliminated Top Chef with this sentiment. Unfortunately, when people have knives – and you’ve just upset them – it’s not a wise decision to remind them that they have said knives. We think this catch phrase could be a recipe for disaster. (Hehe!)
And the number one worst reality TV show catch phrase is…
1) “See ya later, decorator” – Top Design’s Jonathan Adler disses the designers in the competition by calling them ‘decorators’. An interior designer is NOT a decorator. Most don’t like it when you call them that. It hurts their feelings. The line is also juvenile and arrogant. It’s not funny, although Adler seems to think so. (Check out his blog at BravoTV if you don’t believe us.) Rather, the line underscores the snobby, standoffishness of the judging panel on this series. They’re so cold and rude they make Simon Cowell look like Father Christmas.
Which reality TV catch phrases annoy you? Do you agree with our staff, or not? Let us know. Comment below. We want to hear from you.