Turning on the TV, it’s now inevitable that a reality show will be playing on one of the hundreds of channels available on cable. The entertainment news is filled with stories about reality television stars, propelling people like Snooki from Jersey Shore and Ben from The Bachelor to celebrity status. Reality shows have now taken over at least a portion of almost every channel of the television world today. Shows range in subject from fashion and beauty to cooking and even sports. These wildly addictive shows are being aimed at every audience and are soaring to the top of the ratings charts.
The reality genre of programming first gained popularity in the early 2000’s. Survivor and Big Brother exposed this sort of television to the country, and in 2001-02, Survivor led the ratings. There are several different types of shows, within this genre though. Some shows are ‘fly on the wall’ style, which simply document the everyday lives of celebrities or people in certain situations. Another type is a ‘before and after’ setup which intends to fix a person, house, situation, etc. A big portion of reality TV falls under the competition category, where the contestants vie for prizes, titles, or simply fame.
From a brief glance, reality TV looks to be a trivial genre meant for the simple minded and the bored. But what is it about these shows that pull in millions of viewers week after week? Many viewers feel that they can relate to and identify with the characters in these shows. Audiences also like the mindset that people can do anything and overcome obstacles that often is depicted in these shows. From shows about weddings to fishing, reality television covers a unique spectrum of subjects.
Many people enjoy watching reality TV because they want to feel in-the-know about contemporary culture and understand references they may hear on the radio or at the workplace each day.
The aspect of going from a nobody to somebody virtually overnight is appealing to many people; they put themselves in the contestant’s shoes and picture their own lives getting a dramatic makeover.
Watching reality television impacts our lives whether we realize it or not. Viewers don’t take what they see with a grain of salt; they assume that what they see is accurate. In return this can give them a negative perception of life and a warped sense of reality. Shows like TLC’s Toddlers & Tiaras give little girls the idea that wearing make-up and getting spray tans beginning at age three is the norm. And, with the increasingly mature nature of reality TV, young kids are being exposed to things that their parents would not normally approve of. Drugs, alcohol, and sex are casually being shown at an alarming rate, and being shown as normal for the characters on some shows. Steven Reiss’s studies from “Why People Watch Reality TV” show that viewers of reality TV were found to have significantly higher motives for status and vengeance. With all these negatives, it’s hard to see reality TV as a positive addition to our society.
Some might say that these types of television programs boost morale and promote encouragement amongst citizens. Their rags to riches plotlines and extreme home makeovers make people sense that anything is possible, and that they could be the next one in the spotlight. Some shows actually do help people out though. TLC’s What Not To Wear has changed the lives of some of its participants for the better. Being on the show has raised their confidence, which in return has a positive effect on other aspects of their lives as well.
So whether you think the reality TV genre is an important aspect of today’s culture, or simply just cheap filler material, it’s inevitable that it has taken over the minds and living rooms of people across the globe and its not going anywhere soon.