Reality Television it Is Futile

Reality Television

It is futile to discuss the role of television in today's modern society. Watching television, in its understanding of entertainment provider, is an activity that occurs in the homes of virtually all Americans, as well as other populations across the globe. Evidence in the sense of the tremendous growth and popularity of television stand the more and more money being made as the result of a developing industry or the growth of the industry manufacturing TV gadgets, such as LCDs, plasma television sets, surround audio systems, DVD players and so on. It is even argued that television plays a far too great role in the life of the modern day individual; yet, this constitutes the topic for another research.

This article is focused on the analysis of a major component of televised entertainment -- reality television. In one form or the other, reality television has been present within the shows and within our homes as early as the television industry emerged. Nevertheless, its popularity only exploded throughout the previous decade, as shows such as Survivor or American Idol, and many more, kept us glued to the television. The thesis at the basis of this article is that reality television is not a product of the entertainment studios, forcing the shows on us, but that we, as a modern day society, demand it. In proving this statement, the paper will identify several reasons as to why reality television is so popular with the public, and as such suitable in today's society.

2. Analysis and Evaluation of Reality Television

Reality television is characterized by a series of elements. What it basically does is to present real life situations as they occur, without the existence of a script or of any before hand preparations. It is of course imperative for the characters and the situations presented to be interesting in order to attract the attention of the audience. Relevant examples of reality shows which captured the attention of the public refer to those which present the every day life of celebrities. There are numerous famous people who let cameras into their lives and exposed themselves to the public. Just remember the Osbournes and the frenzy it generated.

People are drawn to this type of reality television for two major reasons. First of all, they get the sense that the shows removed some of the previously imposed barriers, by which celebrities were put on a pedestal and considered flawless starts. Otherwise put, the celebrity would be presented not as an idol, but as a regular human being who has to fight with complexes and frustrations and which also encounters illness, sorrow and disillusion (McDuffee, 2008); in the Osbournes show for instance, Sharon was diagnosed with cancer, at which time talks commenced relative to ending the series. This did not occur however as the wife of heavy metal legend decided to fight her disease on air, explaining that this was in fact part of reality. The situation leads to the second major reason why reality television is so popular -- the center folds of the shootings can sometimes become role models.

A third reason why reality television is so popular has a least positive nature. From this standpoint, a conclusion can be drawn that people are attracted to sensational and to something that has, or can be given, a negative connotation. It is already a cliche that when passing on information, the bad information is more likely to be not only believed, but even more to the liking of the audience, in the detriment of the positive information. Entertainment studios have capitalized on this realization and have strived to offer the public this exact bickering, gossiping and back stabbing behavior they appreciate, but at a new level. Cheaters or Jerry Springer's talk show are probably the most relevant examples in this sense.

Then, a fourth reason is that reality shows can sometimes reveal situations of success, which in turn inspire and motivate the audiences to change their lives for the better. Examples of such shows include Dr. 90210, in which plastic surgeons operate on patients, change their appearance and as such increase their self-esteem, or the several shows revealing people fighting, and beating, obesity (Goodman). These types of reality shows set the example that something can be done, and how it can be done, in order to achieve one's personal goals. Additionally, they can be used to send political messages. An example in this sense is the Dove campaign, which sends the message that "For too long, beauty has been defined by narrow, stifling stereotypes […] it's time to change all that" (Daum).

The money or other non-financial rewards involved in the television show make up for the fifth reason as to why reality is so popular. This feature is often combined with the viewer testing his own abilities in front of the television set and imagining himself as the winner of the prizes; he will for instance answer questions for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire or reveal his judging decisions in American Idol. When a million dollars or a high record deal with on of the most reputable studios are involved, the interest and attention of the public will increase.

Sixth, the average individuals see reality shows as a means of improving their levels of socializations. Imagine a simple factory worker who conducts a routine, unchallenging and unfulfilling job where the most rewarding day is the one in which she receives her paycheck. For this individual, reality television not only offers a break from this futureless job, but also gives her something to talk about with her equally bored colleagues. The discussions make the time go by sooner, make the job less of a bane and even set basis for future friendships.

Finally, the seventh reason derives from the fact that reality television does not impose any educational barriers (Hirschorn, 2007). While other types of shows require minimum knowledge of the topics discussed, be them economic, political or technological, reality shows can be watched by anybody who speaks English. And there are those highly educated people who will argue that they do not watch reality television as it does not stimulate their brains, but chances are that when alone at home, they do flip the channels to reality series, as these may very well represent their "guilty pleasures."