Don’t let them fool you: Reality TV Exposed

Melissa Rhoad
February 19, 2010
Filed under Commentary

Reality TV (which is in itself an oxymoron, isn’t it?) is becoming increasingly popular. One only has to watch these shows for a few moments to see the obvious: they are mostly featuring, and therefore promoting, the most ill-mannered of human behaviors.

Unfortunately, many teens of our generation are missing one important point: it’s not reality! These shows are choreographed to make us believe they represent a true sampling of “normal” people going about their “real” lives, demonstrating the deprivation and dysfunction of reality. But that is not my reality. Is it yours?

I have begun to find the mind numbing potential of reality based television to be truly unentertaining. Reality TV reminds me of a spectator sport, where people witness the brutality of humans against one another while forgetting about more pressing problems.

We bring these “reality stars” into the ring with promises of their 15 minutes of fame and a nice wad of cash to go home with—as long as they allow studios to destroy their reputation. Reality celebs gladly sign away their rights, enduring public humiliation to attain attention, and they often end up with the short end of the stick. And let’s not even get started on programs that flaunt finding “true love” as their tagline.

Shows like Oxygen’s “Bad Girls Club,” MTV’s “Jersey Shore,” and VH1’s “Frank The Entertainer: A Basement Affair” present images that make traditionally frowned upon activities, such as excessive drinking, betrayal, and one night stands, look like good fun.

Now, I am not against all forms of reality TV. Some shows do provide a new way of looking at the world. TLC has shows like “18 Kids and Counting” (of which I am a major fan) and “The Little Couple.” Both shows depict normal people thriving in difficult situations without touting them in front of a studio audience to decide their fate.

ABC has “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” which provides a comforting change from the plastic doll persona of the original makeover show, dedicated to changing the appearance of “unfortunate looking” people. Now, the program is giving back by providing worthy families stuck in impossible circumstances with a better place to call home. Even Supernanny has a good premise by trying to bring families back together and teaching them how to communicate better, a skill that most Americans lack.

It is not these shows, but the ones that appeal to our carnal instincts, that need to be carefully considered. We cannot allow ourselves to be sucked into a world of catchy theme music and cruel humiliation of participants, all available in the convenience of weekly dramatic episodes.