Reality television is, without a doubt, an extreme success in the entertainment industry. With shows ranging from American Idol to Jersey Shore, it is reality shows that are constantly being aired in on the screens of our T.V.’s. Just flip on to MTV, a popular channel amongst teenagers and young adults, and it seems that every show that is aired is a reality one. Teen Mom, My Life as Liz, Jersey Shore and The Hills are a few amongst the many shows that MTV airs. Or on a more family-friendly approach, even shows like The Voice and Dancing With the Stars are among the most popular shows. However, if one were to step back and critically analyze the reality in said ‘reality shows’, one would see that the world depicted from these shows are, in fact, very far from the Real World (pun intended). It seems that many people mistake this made-up world for being real, and may, in a sense, admire the lifestyle.
Lacy Green, host of youtube show, Sex Positive, recently posted a youtube video on her views on the matter: (excuse the language, she was... passionate)
"Let's get real, since reality TV isn't! Reality TV is all about controversy, ratings and shock value. They'll do anything to stir the pot no matter what the implications are for their millions of viewers."
Green touches on many valid points. She talks about how popular reality show, The Hills, like many other shows, center around vapid, materialistic privileged people living their 'lives', complaining about tedious things. Yet shows like these are totally compelling to audiences. Green talks about the influence that such shows have on the younger audiences. How there are people who do mistake this be 'real', and, well, admire that life. They may begin to absorb the values -or lack of- that many reality shows promote. Even I had walked into an eighth grade classroom, in which all of them idolized the cast of Jersey Shore. A show that centers around partying, drinking and sex. Is this really the lifestyle that should be encouraged?
Green touches on many valid points. She talks about how popular reality show, The Hills, like many other shows, center around vapid, materialistic privileged people living their 'lives', complaining about tedious things. Yet shows like these are totally compelling to audiences. Green talks about the influence that such shows have on the younger audiences. How there are people who do mistake this be 'real', and, well, admire that life. They may begin to absorb the values -or lack of- that many reality shows promote. Even I had walked into an eighth grade classroom, in which all of them idolized the cast of Jersey Shore. A show that centers around partying, drinking and sex. Is this really the lifestyle that should be encouraged?
So, this may bring up the question, how much of what we see is fabricated?
Maksim Chmerkovskiy, one of the professional ballroom dancers in Dancing With the Stars, talks a little bit about his experience with the fake in his show. “I think everyone knows how producers pick out story lines for everyone every week,” Even in fun, harmless dance-oriented shows have a different reality that lies behind the camera. Spicing up truth for viewership pleasure seems to be common in TV shows, providing a false entertainment. American Idol is another show that is no stranger to producer manipulation -and a lot more obvious about it o.
And although I realize all of this, I'm still a sucker for a good reality TV show. I know Laci's shaking her head at me now -but I guess that says something about this generation. Or not, just me.
And although I realize all of this, I'm still a sucker for a good reality TV show. I know Laci's shaking her head at me now -but I guess that says something about this generation. Or not, just me.
