Are Reality Shows Becoming Our Reality?
When you turn on the television, what’s the first thing you
go to? I personally always find myself sitting in front of the screen drawn
into a juicy episode of Love and Hip Hop or The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Reality television has been growing more and more ever since the early 2000s’.
Of course there were shows earlier than that, but the new wave of “ratchet
reality” has created a whole new road and direction for reality shows these
days. Shows like Big Brother, Amazing Race, Survivor and The Bachelor are
examples of reality shows that are competitions for money. Though these types
of shows are still popular, it seems that people (or at least those of my
generation) are paying more attention to the newer types of reality TV. Some of
these shows include: Love and Hip Hop, Basketball Wives, The Real Housewives, Braxton
Family Values, etc. The basis of all of these shows are to get to live through
the “reality” of people’s lives and see what really goes on in their world.
However, is what they display really their reality? Or are they doing the
things they do for ratings?
A trend on the new types of reality TV shows is to have cast
mates in different scenarios and situations where they conveniently or coincidently
get into an argument. It has most people question the how genuine it is because
of how often drama occurs. Almost all scenes in these shows are negative and
all the “characters” are related in some way. So why do we still watch these
shows? Do we get any positivity out of them? Rarely. Once in a blue moon
reality shows bring light to a pressing issue or give hope to someone going
through a tough time, but more than likely the episode consists of back and
forth arguing, trash talk and insults, and maybe an occasional physical
altercation.
My reason for watching reality television is honestly for a
good laugh. It is rare that I actually believe a storyline in these shows are
real. Though I think factors may be accurate, I think that most situations are
manipulated by producers to get the drama rolling and keep the viewers watching.
Several people complain that these shows don’t really showcase reality, but
they still watch. I for one only watch for the entertainment and also to learn
how to NOT be when I grow older. These shows make me understand that
humiliating myself for money isn’t worth it and that having money isn’t the
most important thing in life.
Reality Shows are a controversial topic. Some would say that
since I watch them, I have no morals or that I am “ratchet”. I believe that as
long as I don’t act foolish like some of the figures on these shows and I know that
the way they live isn’t the way life really is, I can indulge in tuning in for
the entertainment factor.
I always brag that I don't watch reality shows, but when I think about it, that's not really true. I don't have TV now, but when I did, I loved Face Off (http://www.syfy.com/faceoff), where the competitors participated amazing costuming and makeup challenges. I also love one show call The Quest (http://abc.go.com/shows/the-quest). One way I think I differ though is that I don't like watching all the infighting and drama. I know a lot of people watch some of those shows so they can laugh at the people (like American Idol) or watch people be ugly to each other. I don't look down on anyone for their choice in TV shows though. Entertainment is a personal choice.
ReplyDeleteI am one who definitely spends a lot of time watching reality television. It is for pure entertainment when it seems like nothing interesting is going on around you and you are simply bored. Reality tv is meant for entertainment and laughter, so I would never look at an individual differently if they indulge themselves into such shows. I have a clear understanding that what you watch is not necessarily correlated to a persons behavior, as I believe many others understand that as well. As Serena stated in her blog, most productions have shows where they manipulate the situations in a way to show drama in order to get higher rankings. Most of these cast members are not always about drama because they are apart of other shows that show them in a different light as well.
ReplyDeleteI watch reality shows nearly 90% of the time that I watch TV. I believe they strike interest to so many viewers because its supposed to be like "real life". Who wouldn't want to view how people live their lives on a daily basis. However, I believe reality TV is starting to change from when it first began. In its early stages, reality TV was TRUE reality TV. I agree that today, producers manage to stage acts to gain and maintain more viewers and higher ranking. I can tell when a scene has been staged too! Reality TV has definitely made me change my perspective of some individuals, especially on the TV show Love & Hip Hop.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this post. Whenever I am unable to change the channel due to the fact that I am in a room full of girls, I am often embarrassed for the people on these shows, as their lives seem to be one big laughing stock for the viewers. Though shows like these disgust me, I am not "holier than thou" because I too watch mindless shows like Family Guy, Spongebob, and even crazy shows like Jackass. I do believe that there is nothing wrong with watching shows like these as well as reality shows. Where the problem arises is when we idolize these people for doing virtually nothing. An example of this would be young girls wanting to be like this reality show stars like Kim Kardashian, who is famous for what again? The bottom like is this: there is nothing wrong with watching these shows, as long as you don't emulate what's going on in these shows. In other words like Serena said "... as long as [she doesn't] act foolish like some of the figures on these shows" then in my opinion it is fine for people to watch.
ReplyDeleteGreat point!
DeleteGreat point!
DeleteI'm one of those people who only watch reality TV shows when there is nothing interesting on or even when I'm just bored. When I do turn it on it catches my attention but as I'm watching it, I do think the cast are doing a bit to much. But I realize they act "ratchet" because they want to keep their show up. So when my friends watch shows like that al the time I don't mind because I know they watch it for entertainment.
ReplyDeleteI do love watching reality tv shows, and I would have to say that people who often watch reality tv shows aren't exactly mocking their behaviors but more so their appearances. I myself am guilty of it. I'll look at someone and wonder where they get their hair from or how they style it, where'd they get their dress from, what make-up products they use.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though most people in reality are only faking their reality for higher ratings which give them a higher pay.
ReplyDeleteI personally love watching reality TV shows mainly for entertainment purposes. Reality TV shows are entertaining and at times amusing, it let us focus on someone else's lives and see what issues or problems they may be dealing with rather than focus on our own issues and problems we may be dealing with in our daily lives and often times they may be going through similar things that we watchers can relate too even though they may have scripted lines and are manipulated to act a certain way. I definitely do not look at anyone differently if they watch Reality TV shows.
ReplyDeleteI watch reality TV shows for personal entertainment. Reality TV is not real and I don't look at them in any different way because they are acting. I don't believe they are less of a person, being on TV is how they make their money. Reality TV is taking over TV networks, they make a new one everyday and your favorite celebrity might have one next, are you going to look at them in a different way?
ReplyDeleteI believe that reality shows are becoming our reality. I seen it happen so many times were certain situations show some if not the same things that goes on in reality TV. One of the biggest situations that I see are people fighting of another person.
ReplyDelete