HGTV’s “Leader of the Pack”

Reality TV has reached a new low.  I thought it would be hard to beat shows like Tila Tequila’s “Shot at Love,” where people were degraded and embarrassed on each episode in new ways.  But HGTV has taken over the top spot with their new show “Leader of the Pack.”

The Reckseit family has decided to get a dog.  So instead of going to the local shelter to adopt an animal in need of some love, they turn it into a game.  They have eight dogs delivered to their house, and the dogs have to compete in challenges to test their skills and try to win over the family’s love.  Each of the five members of the family places a vote each week for the dog they want to see leave the house, and the dog with the most votes is cast out.

I have more problems with this premise than I could list.  Animals should never have to compete for love, and voting off a dog every week is just the saddest storyline I’ve ever heard.  At least on reality shows voting off people, the humans know what they’re signing up for.  The dogs just want a home with a loving family.  They didn’t ask for this.

Each dog that is voted off will be adopted by another family, so they won’t be homeless, but I still think it’s incredibly sad.  Although it’s actually sadder for the dog that has to stay with the Reckseit family.  These people look like a bunch of crazies.  The whole family seems to have an annoyance disorder of varying degrees of severity.

Another thing that seriously bothered me after watching the preview was when it was dinner time for the eight dogs.  First of all, they’re feeding them all the same food.  Dogs need different food depending on their age, size, and breed.  Also, they say “uh oh, we ran out of food!” and the dogs are all running around like crazy trying to get enough to eat.  Don’t play games with animal care.  That is not funny or entertaining.

I hope they at least got their “cast” of dogs from shelters, but judging from the breeds they have and the young age of the dogs, I doubt it.

This show infuriates me.  Where’s PETA when you actually need them?

Click here to watch clips from the show: “Leader of the Pack” Video

Click here to meet the dogs: “Leader of the Pack” Cast