Reality TV: Over-used and Minus the “Real”
Written by: Tom Sawyer
According to Wikipedia: Reality television is a genre of television programming which presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and features ordinary people instead of professional actors.[citation needed] Although the genre has existed in some form or another since the early years of television, the term reality television is most commonly used to describe programs of this genre produced since 2000. Documentaries and nonfictional programming such as news and sports shows are usually not classified as reality shows.
In my opinion, Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Survivor started what we currently know as reality TV. There were other shows like Cops that could easily fit into this genre, but Millionaire and Survivor are what really got people talking and watching. There was a time, like many other Americans, when I knew the reality TV schedule by heart. I knew the station and time of my favorite shows and adjusted my schedule accordingly. Even though it wasn’t the same as a fictional show or movie, reality TV served as an escape – there is something inviting about watching real people risk life and limb for money. We just seem to get a kick out of watching human interactions go bad on national TV.
In some cases, the people on reality TV seem to be normal people like you and I. They have the same problems, jobs and family issues we all do. I just seem to have a problem with the casting department for many of these shows and I will gladly (you knew this was coming) tell you why.
If you leave your house right now and randomly select 12-20 individuals will the demographics of those people always be the same or similar? I would think not. That being the case, why do these groups always have 1-3 minorities, one homosexual individual and at least two females that someone seems to think are attractive? I know it is all about attracting the most diverse group of viewers, but sometimes it just seems stupid to me. Will I stop watching if nobody black is on the show? Probably not. Is is realistic to have one homosexual in almost every group? I don’t think so. Do I need what someone else considers eye candy to tune in every week? Not at all. Hey casting directors, get it together and find an interesting group of people without trying to meet your quota.
Besides your typical cast, these shows have lost some of their luster and it could be because they almost seem to be staged. Take the Real World for example. During the latest reunion show, the cast mentioned how much of what the show revealed wasn’t real and certain situations were taken out of context. Hello! The editors are the real creators of this show. They get raw/real footage and make it interesting. I think that defeats the purpose and is kind of manipulating. Something else revealed during the Real World reunion were the procedures necessary to go out and about. Apparently, if they want to go someplace, an animal shelter was mentioned, the show’s producers must get it cleared. So the exact situation goes something like this: one of the cast members was an alcoholic and they couldn’t go to an animal shelter, but they could go to many bars. This cast member eventually left the show because the environment wasn’t healthy for his ongoing treatment. Ya think?
These shows have become so popular to the point of network throwing virtually anything on TV as long as it is a reality show. I literally just finished watching a show where contestants compete with their dogs. The show is called Greatest American Dog and it airs on CBS. Hey, I will do anything once and the show was actually cute considering there wasn’t anything else on to watch. This show did run my wife right out of the room though!
In your opinion, have these reality shows become over-used and irritating? Many of them should never even make it to network television, but I guess they figure anything could catch on and get those advertisers spending money. I say enough is enough. Oh, but I need you to leave Survivor, Big Brother, Real World, The Amazing Race, So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol alone. Seriously.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:43 am
All these reality shows are fake. Theres never any plus sized people unless it’s a whole show dedicated to them. Take me, for instance I would have loved to be on the Real World walking around with no shirt on. lol
July 19th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Some of these shows are hit the entertainment button. However, they are manipulated to be whatever the producers want. You are right about the makeup of the contestants. It seems that the eyecandy must be in every one of them. I really like Amazing Race cause that is a real reality show along with Survivor.
July 19th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Another good thing about the Amazing Race is if the eye candy wants to pause to use their natural assets they can get lost in the dust.
I’m just so over this whole thing of putting someone who a producer thinks is cute in each and every show. If I came across someone like that each and every time I left my house I would be OK with it, but since we know that isn’t the case they are obviously trying to play on the male weakness.
What could be done to change this?
July 19th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I think reality TV has lost its way. Initially, the concept may have been to enlighten, now they’re just pure entertainment. Can’t puch much stock into them. I agree with Linda though, Amazing Race is a really good show.
July 19th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
reality tv needs to get real.
July 19th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
y
July 19th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
From my understanding, we are some years behind other countries with reality TV. I must say, when the writers were on strike, I was so grateful for reality TV! Had it not been for reality TV, what would we have watched!
I love some reality TV. I was kind of surprised though, I never thought of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire as reality, I thought it was a game show.
I am with you Tom on Big Brother, Survivor, American Idol. I like The Bachelor and Bachelorette, and I like the Bravo and HGTV ones too. I love Amazing Race but I nearly have a nervous breakdown watching it. I have actually turned it off and then right back on because I get so nervous my team won’t make it.
I know it can’t be all real, but as Kim said, it is very entertaining.
February 24th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
I don’t even watch Idol and sure you’ve introduced us to some new groups but you don’t deserve the gig, you got famous for being a stalker/cry baby. There are far more qualified actors/models/actresses/musicians who are a true inspiration to people. They actually have something to offer other than how to get rich off of other peoples misfortune. Stick to what your best at talking shit about people and keeping us updated with pictures of the beautiful people. Thanks!