Do Reality Shows Reflect Reality?
by Angela Guillaume
by Angela Guillaume
Reality shows are THE THING these days. I admit I had my moments when I wondered why these programs are so popular. Can’t say I’m a reality show junkie at all, although I’ve been known to glue myself to the screen when random episodes of Flavor of Love came on, or even The Bachelor, Gastineau Girls, and Tila Tequila. I enjoy feeling my jaw drop to the ground every time I spend 30 minutes with the crazies on the tube. I wouldn’t purposely wait for the shows to come on, but if I happened to stumble into one, I certainly wouldn’t turn my head—or undivided attention—away. I was hooked, albeit temporarily.
So I wonder, how is it that these types of shows have become all the rage and then some? For a time I turned my mind upside down and then gave it a good shake, just to figure out an answer to this baffling question. Why would anyone want to watch a bunch of regular people act irregularly in various situations? And then it hit me, of course. It’s the “irregular” bit. People love sensationalism, that I knew. But what I couldn’t understand is, how far would they go—or rather, how low—for the sake of entertainment? I can say I’ve gone pretty low, watching that stuff with extreme interest and fervor, so if you’ve ever succumbed for any length of time to the lure of reality TV please know you’re not alone.
Have you ever been in a situation where you wished you were a “fly on the wall”? A situation where you knew something “interesting” was going to happen to someone, and you positively yearned to be a witness? The TV Machiavellis—those who decide what we get to see—have figured this out. And reality TV shows, more than any other type of show, give you that kind of satisfaction right now—you can literally spy on others when they argue, make out, get in a hissy fit or create some sort of mini-scandal as though the entire world isn’t watching them.
But I can’t help wondering that there can’t possibly be much spontaneity in reality TV, can there? Do you really act like those people on the screen in every day life? What do you think you would do if you were in one of those shows? Would you live the same routine life you always do, or would you feel like a new person, one who can do anything at all to get noticed? I can’t help but wonder what sort of person I’d have to be to participate in a reality show. I wondered that when I watched Richard Hatch win the first Survivor, only to go off and not pay his taxes on his winnings—which garnered him 51 months in prison. 
I also wondered when I watched all those pretty girls drool over Flavor Flav, Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie rake hay in a barn, and New York getting her own show. I wondered when I witnessed the cutthroat strategies employed by contestants on Big Brother and The Apprentice (not to mention Trump’s orange comb-over); as well as the wild, head-shaking antics of the Bad Girls Club posse and bisexual cutie, mini-bombshell (to some) Tila Tequila.
Don’t you wonder?
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11 comments:
Good article Angela! I can't stand reality television and I don't think there's much that's spontaneous about it at all. I will admit that I've watched Flavor of Love once or twice when I stumbled across it but I don't have much time for TV so I avoid crap television whenever possible. I can't wait until this TV trend has run its course!
Hey, Nat, great blog entry. Here's what I think about the reality shows such as Big Brother and The Bachelor, these people want to show as much character as possible with the hope of making it to a television program or movie.
Now, the reality shows like American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance are real shows. My heart goes out to those kids trying to make a career for themselves and just like writers it's the ones with the most determination who make it whether they win or not.
Another reality show is Dancing With the Stars. Those are usually stars who have been big, but they've dropped off the radar and they are trying to drop kick their careers again.
That's my take and I stick to it. Grin
Great points, Christine, Sandy. And Sandy, I do feel what you're saying. At the end of the day, it's all about the compromises we make to reach a boy. And those kids are basically going with what the networks want to dish out. The stars that lost their sparkle, on the other hand, already know the game well. After they made all that money and lost it - through mismanagement, leeching relatives and what not - they start to face the reality of their situation. They're not all that any more. So, they figure, a reality show will help them ride the wave again. Unfortunately, it often doesn't work. Sad, really.
I meant to reach a "goal" NOT reach a boy. What was I thinking? LOL
Great article Angela. I don't think regular people inhabit the world of reality TV. Regular people - like us - just do our thing. The people we tend to see on these shows are outrageous or unstable or yearning for fame so they will do whatever they can to hang on to those 15 minutes. However not all "unscripted" entertainment is reality. As was already mentioned - competition shows such as American Idol are hugely popular and enjoyable and feature genuinely talented contestants. But the shows where D list celebrities look for love are the kind I think that tend to polarize. On the one hand they offend some people with their crassness - on the other hand they are a spectacle. I don't think reality is going anywhere - it has proven to be a ratings bonanza for broadcasters and a great way for them to make money during the summer "down time" months. And whether we like them or not they are here to stay.
We live in a time of Celebrity Fever. The yearning for "fifteen minutes of fame" has always been part of our psychological framework, but these days it's overwhelming.
Considering that our greatest heroes are not based on intellect or risk (scientists or astronauts), but on the ability to somehow magically bypass the "barrier" separating normal life from The Good Life. So... rappers or pro-sports, hard-partying heiresses and American Idol winners all represent a "dream come true" that people have always yearned for.
A guy asks a question at a political rally and the next thing you know, he has a nickname and a dozen news interviews.
So for many, reality shows are a way to dream of jumping the wall into Magicland. Because, no matter what the format (dancing or wrestling pigs or racing 'round the world) there's always a Prize. *wink*
As a writer, I tend to protest any show that takes work away!! *laughs*
Great article, Angela!
--Chiron
Hi Angela,
I admit I love some of the reality shows and watch a few regularly. I know everyone doesn't like Donald Trump but I admire his business sense and it appears he's instilled a strong work ethic in his children. Of course, all I see is what's on television. I enjoy observing the individuals work together as a team and am amazed at the childishness and egotism of some.
American Idol and Dancing With the Stars are two other favorites. For the singers, it's awesome to see the achieve their dream of being a profession. As for stars dancing, it's nice to see them struggling to excell in another venue.
I hate the other reality shows like Big Brother, The Bachelor, Survivor, etc. though I know a lot of people watch them.
In general, I try not to watch too much tv, and if I had to chose 1 of the 3 it would be American Idol.
Interesting post!
Linda
www.lindalaroque.com
Hey Everyone!!!
You know, I honestly don’t analyze it when I watch a reality show. I just watch. It’s mindless. A way to escape from the heavy things that are going on in my own life. But that’s just me. I spend hours pouring over my college homework and dealing with every day life, sometimes I just want to sit and veg. For me, reality (big ha) TV is just a way to see how the other side lives (because no one I know would act the way that some of those people do….).
BUT I have to add that I am fickle. If things start getting too heavy, I stop watching and move onto something else. I try not to let it suck me in and became something I have to do. Of course, I didn’t miss a single episode of Big Brother last season. Hmmm. I wonder if I’m lying to myself. Who knows. It’s just TV… grin….
Tami
Nat,
I'm glad you explained about the goal thing. I was wondering what you were talking about. lol One other thing I might add is that Dancing with the Stars is giving some very talented professional dancers exposure and bringing back the fun of dancing.
Thanks for the wonderful comments everyone and Sandy, I have watched Dancing with the Stars. I agree with you. I see those kind of talent shows as more "competition" and a chance to shine than a "reality show" per se...although it does fit in this category. Even American Idol, as shocking as it sometimes can get, gives people the opportunity to showcase their talent. Now the other shows, such as Big Brother, Flavor of Love, Tila Tequila, I love New York...well, I see those a little differently. Entertainment? Perhaps. Shocking? That's the point :-)
Hey Angela
I have recently been bitten by the reality TV bug. I started watching the French version of Star Academy, which is akin to American Idol. Like Sandy, I want to see those kids reach for their dreams. You do see the hard work behind it all. Shows like The Biggest Loser too have won me with this concept.
On the other hand, I hate the 'sensational' ones. The fifteen minutes of fame thing - makes you think some people are desperate enough to do anything just to hog the spotlight. Some of the 'crap' that goes on French Tv, wow, you wouldn't believe it!
Great post, makes one think.
Hugs
Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn)
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