Reality TV Influence on the Audience - Essay Example

Since its advent, television has been a topic of debate for a lot of individuals. On one hand, TV has pleased, amazed, and horrified millions of viewers through the years. On the contrary, some believe that TV is unreal, violent and something that should not be watched by kids. Nowadays, television airs programs with the sole intend of making a lot of money. Some of these programs are reality TV shows which are becoming increasingly popular. Television networks like reality TV shows because they bring in a lot of revenue (Larry, 2007). It is also worth noting that reality TV programming can be comparatively cheaper than traditional TV shows but the insurance premiums required for the participants can be costly for the programmers. During the initial years of the twenty first century, viewers watched reality TV to observe people’s lives, watch them argue, fight, eat bizarre things and reveal personal details of their lives. These reality shows were humored and harmless. But with time, the essence of reality TV has changed. People now participate in reality shows to contest against each other in order to win some prize or gain popularity. This reflects increased competitiveness and materialism prevailing in the society. Who wants to be a Millionaire marked the beginning of the new genre of reality game shows in early 2000. According to Robert Thompson, director of the Center for the Study of Popular Television at Syracuse University, reality TV represents a story that is half fiction with producers and creators who provide some rules and guidelines but it has no script and participants are non-actors (enotes, 2011). In the past half century, as television drama became more violent and sexually explicit, reality TV evolved as a more meaningful genre of TV shows that present viewers with more competitive and bitter versions closer to reality. Psychologists present interesting explanation as to why reality shows are very popular. One of the primary reasons is that viewers can identify themselves with the participants who are initially ordinary people and then become famous. Secondly, they enjoy the competitive nature of such shows since there are always winners and losers (enotes, 2011). Reality TV is taking over regular TV and is polluting people’s mind. Violence, distorted pictures of reality, language and stunts are marking a lot of reality TV (Larry, 2007). These shows are very entertaining but many professionals are expressing concerns over the harmful implications. They point out that negative impacts of reality TV are higher for children and teenagers than adults. Studies have shown that children within the age of 9-12 who were depressed believed that money, popularity and beauty are key elements of gaining happiness because reality shows reinforce this concept (Genesis Health System , 2003). A lot of stunt shows illustrate people doing risky, disgusting and scary stunts which often result in detrimental consequences when duplicated by the audience. These people tend to ignore the fact that participants in the reality show have stunt coordinators who ensure proper safety measures. Therefore, people should not follow what they see on the TV and should objectively comprehend and assess the messages and images being shown (Genesis Health System , 2003). Reality TV shows are real and profitable but the primary basis of such stunt shows seems to put people in pain or humiliation for the audience to watch and derive enjoyment out of it. This way youngsters are turning into heartless individuals who delight in the distress and humiliation of others. Furthermore, reality TV shows often stress on superficial characteristics such as outward appearance over inner beauty consequently leaving a distorted impact on teenagers’ young and innocent minds (enotes, 2011). Getting plastic surgery to enhance looks and becoming famous on the basis of beauty without having much talent are shallow messages being conveyed to the audience. These shows inculcate poor values, degrade regular human beings and drown their morals (OPPapers, 2008). Often, reality shows are based on topics without any proper concept or thought process. The viewers get hooked on to these shows for countless hours without gaining anything valuable. Certain reality TV shows highlight disagreements and some inappropriate stuff which is not suitable for viewing for a family audience (Lad, 2010). One of the ethical issues of reality TV shows is that they are not as real as they pretend to be. The scripted shows audience at least knows that what they are watching on Television does not depict the reality of the actor’s personal life. The same however, cannot be said about the heavily edited scenes one sees on reality shows (About.com, 2011). The so-called reality TV shows like “Big Brother” are catering to that section of our society that prefers to lower down its intelligence. This leaves a very small percentage of people who want to utilize their time constructively and effectively and do something to improve their knowledge and intelligence. They can do this by reading a book, watching a documentary, writing an article or by seeking information on the internet (InsteadOfTV, 2009). As far as the entertainment value of Big Brother is concerned, it is as trivial as it can get. It seems as if the sole purpose of this show is to show wannabe actors draped in inappropriate outfits, engaged in indecent behavior taunting each other (InsteadOfTV, 2009). X Factor is another reality show that has a very high viewership across the United Kingdom. This show was conceived for replacing pop idol. It is a platform for solo as well as group performance belonging to various age groups. Critics say that shows like X Factor exploit people since participants are not allowed to perform or participate in any other musical event for three months. They are not paid and are obliged to travel at their own expense. People waste countless hours in front of the television watching talent competitions like X factor, admiring ordinary people exhibit their talents in front of the world. Some distressed viewers hope that they can get their fair share of fame and happiness if they participate in such shows (DifferenceBetween). People want a break from their tedious, tiresome and monotonous life so all they want is entertainment, be it of any form. Television is the most convenient source of entertainment therefore reality shows are a big hit because viewers think they can relate to the ordinary people being shown. They know that the people they are beginning to appreciate and enjoy are real, i.e. same off the camera. The motivation and success of these shows is based on the fact that these shows are never scripted. There is never an attempt to justify these shows as meaningful or educational in any way. No reality show can match the intelligence of a well-scripted fictional program. However, it does raise questions as to why are such shows made (Poniewozik, 2003). The growing technological trends have also led to the reduction in normal television viewing and given rise to mobile video and online video viewing. Reality TV shows have managed to recapture some of the diverted audience and have reminded viewers that television is still exciting to watch (Poniewozik, 2003). One of the most constructive uses of reality TV is to motivate us to become more engaged in our own reality. Some of the popular reality TV shows may inspire us to take a step ahead and change the course of our lives (Hynes, 2004).Reality TV will not go away but will continue to evolve and take the time slot of other scripted TV programs keeping in view its popularity. Some people argue that reality TV is the best thing to happen to television in the recent years. Bibliography About.com. (2011). Ethics & Reality TV. Retrieved January 10, 2011, from about.com: http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/phil/blphil_eth_realitytv.htm DifferenceBetween. (n.d.). Difference Between American Idol and X Factor. Retrieved 2011, from differencebetween.net: http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-american-idol-and-x-factor/ enotes. (2011). Reality TV | Introduction. Retrieved 2011, from eNotes.com: http://www.enotes.com/reality-tv-article Genesis Health System . (2003, April 21). Is Reality TV Putting Children At Risk? Retrieved January 9, 2011, from genesishealth.com: http://www.genesishealth.com/news/2003/reality_tv.aspx Hynes, A. (2004, June). Reality TV therapy: whether you want a more exciting life, a better career or more confidence, reality shows can help you achieve your goals. Retrieved January 10, 2011, from findarticles.com: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0846/is_10_23/ai_n6092133/ InsteadOfTV. (2009). Negative Effects of Reality TV. Retrieved January 9, 2011, from InsteadOfTV.com: http://www.insteadoftv.com/negative-effects-of-reality-tv.html Lad, K. (2010). Effects of Reality TV. Retrieved January 10, 2011, from buzzle.com: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/effects-of-reality-tv.html Larry. (2007, November 21). Negative impacts of reality tv shows. Retrieved January 7, 2011, from WordPress.com: http://larry50.wordpress.com/2007/11/21/negative-impacts-of-reality-tv-shows/ OPPapers. (2008, September 10). Reality Tv - The Real Issues. Retrieved January 9, 2011, from OPPapers.com: http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Reality-Tv-Real-Issues/169160 Poniewozik, J. (2003, Febuary 12). Why Reality TV Is Good for Us. Retrieved January 10, 2011, from Time.com: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,421047,00.html Read More