Reality Television as a Cultural Phenomenon - Essay Example

Reality Television Order No. 237214 No. of pages: 6 Premium 6530 Reality Television, the new age boom that has caught on with the present daygeneration especially among the youth, is something very new that has caught on thick and fast propelling the entertainment industry into a whole new sphere. But considering the different kinds of programs that are featured, one never stops to wonder as to how real are reality shows. In this essay we are going to delve deep into some of these areas and analyze what this I all about. We would also make an investigation to see whether this new fad that has caught on, is really a boon or a bane to us as individuals in this present day society. Reality television has been described as “the name given to the new genre of programs that features "real" people in "real" circumstances. (The Education Age, Issues in the news, August 15th, 2001) Initially, reality programs ran on the lines of a socio- documentary, but later as it started catching up and becoming quite popular, it started getting a different shade to it altogether. Creative heads began designing ready – to – air programs that involved very interesting and exciting game- shows or story lines. The programs which have caught on like wild fire, are a sure shot with the present day- so called modern generation. What makes these programs tic or what makes them sure a sure shot success is what we are going to examine in our essay. In the U.S, Australia and for that matter, in fact all over the world, reality television has become a phenomenon and thereby a household name. What’s the attraction in reality Television that makes programs such as “Survivor” and “Big Brother”, to become a craze with the audiences and rake in huge sums for the networks? Come to think of it, is it just a passing fad, a trend or simple light hearted entertainment? Reality T.V for the networks turns out to be very cheap alternative when compared to the expensive sitcoms such as “Friends”. Though “Friends” is a sure shot crowd puller, yet it also has to spend millions on making each episode. On the other hand, Reality Television does not have to spend much in terms of money or expensive props and locations, because the program is designed in such a realistic way, that it makes do with what is around and available. Unlike other programs, it does not have to pay its actors neither does it need any scriptwriter. Audiences and viewers feel they are quite bored with the usual traditional soaps and sitcoms and other regular fare on television and therefore Reality T.V came like a breadth of fresh air to enliven their dull lives. They also claim that reality programs are more exciting and intriguing from the word go and keeps them on pins to see the final outcome. They also said that it is not easy to tear ones self away from the television during a reality show because it captures and holds the attention of the audience in a spell- binding manner. What makes these programs all the more intriguing is that they see the normal day – to – day people sans make- up trying to achieve something through interaction with their other counterparts or contestants. It gives them an up and close view of the feelings, emotions and the interactions that takes place between human beings, grasping their attention, even while they sit in the comfort of their own home. These may be some of the good facets of Reality television; but there is also a flip side to it. Although people take a pleasure in watching these programs, yet it always remains in the back of their minds whether such a thing as reality television is a good thing or not. Many critics are of the opinion, that reality television does not share commonalities with actual “reality”. Their argument is,, that reality T.V makes use of a carefully selected group of people who are confined to a certain Geographical area or an artificial environment and are constantly monitored while having to follow rigid rules that are laid down. So when people are put into abnormal situations and are forced to abide by only the rules that are chalked down, then where is the scope for reality? Considering the types of programs that are aired on television, many of the Reality Programs are quite degrading, atrocious in approach, and at most times weird and sometimes even treacherous. But yet, what makes them tic? It’s the big bucks of course- the only thing that the network has to put in. A huge sum of money and that too for taking part in a game show, is quite an attractive proposition for any human being. This is the primary catch that attracts people to gather all their courage, hone their skills and make use of them when the time comes. According to both critics and some of the audiences, reality television is rather extreme and attacks the privacy of people while placing them into very dangerous situations just to make their ratings shoot up. From my point of view, though I think reality television is great to watch, yet it has an inhuman streak because the contestants are not only badly manipulated, but also put a lot to shame if they perform below the belt. Though such shows leave the audiences asking for more, yet, it portrays to a vulnerable audience distorted values that are cemented into a foundation of humiliation and voyeurism. Recent developments in the reality arena, is the introduction of even more bizarre programs featuring stunning yet demeaning endeavors such as “American Idol” and “Fear Factor”. No doubt the ratings of these programs are extremely high, yet at the cost of what? Human fear? Human degradation? Or just plain hypocrisy? In fact it is all three rolled into one. But even so, the contestants enter and for them, the light at the end of the dark tunnel is the exorbitant prize money they would win. It is because some people dare to do feats which otherwise they would not even consider it in their remotest dreams, that programs such as the ones on reality are able not only to be shot, aired, viewed but also thrive drastically. The prize money is the bone of contention here which attracts these contestants who could even dare to put their life on the line just so to covet it. In case the prize money was a very modest sum, do you think these people would even consider it in their wildest of dreams? Yes, the answer is definitely, a big no, no! “In reality, it’s dangerous” (The Age, June 7th) For decades, advertisers have gone all out for product placement in movies and it still continues with much force, in order to raise the brand awareness and at the same time to increase their sales. There is also a danger where product placement is concerned because at times, the real people may not relish the product. It is easier to persuade advertisers to shoulder the risk of the product than to try and convince the consumer. According to an editorial, "The confected rudeness of the host of The Weakest Link, the scheming and treachery of Survivor, the humiliation of the weekly public eviction vote of Big Brother ----- these are in danger of being seen as normal desirable parts of discourse by children who watch these shows." – (Editorial, The Age, July 18) Speaking on how real reality TV is one of the contestants of “Big brother”, Melanie Hall states, "Reality TV is totally misleading. It is highly edited. It is not real. It is TV." – (Melanie Hall, The Age) According to Diana Whaley, "Millions tune in to see people being humiliated, with cash for the person who can stick it out to the end. The very fact that so many people actually enjoy watching others getting hurt physically or humiliated psychologically is disturbing." – (Diana Whaley, The Sunday Age, July 27) Though Reality Television seems to look real, it is for a fact that the lines between fiction, reality, entertainment as well as news are all merged or fused together to paint a picture that seems all authentic to the viewer but in plain reality, it is a sort of figment of someone’s imagination brought alive through contriving and manipulation. The sadder part that goes without saying is that the audiences are ever ready to lap up every bit of it. This is what poses as a green signal not only to the network but also to the advertisers and the media in general. As the American film director, Daniel Minahan rightly states, “People are willing to go with it. Its like professional wrestling in the US, theres a suspension of disbelief." – (Daniel Minahan, American film director) Looking at the human aspect in Reality television, one wonders if there is any humaneness at all. It’s all Hunky – dory for the ones who are going great guns, but what about the ones who are not so lucky. It is pure hell for them. These people who are not only very emotional and have a lot of feelings are put through the harsh rigors of having to face the tune for their failure. In fact, these may be some of the most intelligent and talented among the group, but even so they become easy targets for abuse and disgrace. They are psychologically torn down from their high pedestal which they have maintained so meticulously so far, but just for the mere fact of losing they put themselves in the most vulnerable position ever. In fact many of them get psychologically and emotionally scarred for life. Very talented people who get their wings broken even before they can take to the air. These people loose faith and hope in themselves, they are no more confident about what they do and worst of all are unable to pick themselves up again. Reality television may be good from an audience point of view, but it’s just another story for the person who is hanging all his hopes and dreams on the line. From my point of view, though these programs are good to watch – they are demeaning to everything that encompasses the human factor! References: The Age Education, Issues in the News/ Reality Television. www.education.theage.com.au/pagedetail.asp?intpageid=64&...&intsectionid=0 The Age Education www.speakout.com/Issues/Briefs/1275/ The Age Education www.media.guardian.co.uk/bigbrother/story/ The Age Education www.sirlinksalot.net/realitytelevision.html Read More