Man
is a race that enjoys mayhem; war, hand-to-hand combat, torturous emotion, and
the day-to-day drama of living. We watch movies to experience emotions we would
otherwise avoid, and go to theater to see those situations played out in front
of our eyes. We not only gossip about other people, we buy books and magazines that
gossip. We love to love, and we love to hate, and we direct that energy toward
the characters in our lives. Human nature is to be entertained by human nature;
in that regard, reality television has offered the most unique and influential
entertainment in the history of broadcasting.
Television
now provides the open windows we have never been allowed to peek into, but
have always wanted to. If our impressions remain true we get to see people live
their lives raw and unedited. Sitting on the couch, remote in hand we dash
through today’s programming and land on the faces of reality. They are not
always appealing, but they are de facto, and free to stare at. We cannot help
but watch.
The
underlying message of reality television is simply an affirmation of our
fascination with other people. One of the most popular activities of any
generation is people watching. The intimate exchange of two people viewed from
afar could be anything! They could be doing a drug deal, or they could be
secret lovers. Are they the mafia? Could they be meeting for the first time?
The fascination is in the mystery. It would either eat away at us, or provide a
moment’s entertainment. Reality television allows us to indulge in our
assumptions, learn about those strangers, and in the case of some shows,
participate in their fate. The appeal is overwhelming.
The
potential of reality television is limitless. As a race mankind is incredibly
diverse. We are adept at creating stories worthy of acclaim, and each day those
dramas play out. They can be short-term, long-term, or lifelong, and every one
of them holds appeal to a substantial market. The show that makes it to
production is one of hundreds, so the idea trough will never dry.
I
am not fond of watching terrible people act terribly on reality television, nor
do I like the influence they wield, but I have to admit I have my favorites. The
shows I am drawn to appeal to my nature. They reflect my passions. They excite
me. They are easy to relate to, especially if that relation is delusional, or
relevant to an experience I treasure. I have an appreciation for programs that
inspire values and support moral living. When in those intimate situations the
camera tends to denude the human being, making him real, and relatable. The
truth is different.
Even
the rawest reality show is scripted, directed, or rehearsed. Seldom is one a witness
to a sincere event. The participants often testify to a kind of reality TV
syndrome where, with the cameras running in their face, they take on an
entirely different persona. With most reality television, we are watching real
people in pseudo-real situations doing the one thing they are not supposed to
do – act. This paradox is the source of the most harm that comes from watching these
programs. These “real” people are, by example, affirming that it is normal,
acceptable, and tolerable to act poorly. It is easy to justify acting out bad
behavior under its influence. Reality television wields a largely negative sway
on the viewing public, inspiring us to revert to reckless behavior in the name
of entertaining our audiences, real or imagined.
Reality
television is a phenomenon but not a fad. Just like “people watching” it will
always have appeal and always have a market. Inundated by mass media, lacking
in time, attention, and divided among the inanities of life the consumer is a
tough sell. Reality television not only attracts their attention, it does it at
a fraction of the cost of a sitcom, and holds their attention long enough to
throw a few advertisements in front of them. While the show holds its appeal it
rarely provides anything wholesome, or praiseworthy. Most programs parade the
self-obsessed, the self-centered, egocentric, the megalomaniacal, and the drama
queens for our temporary entertainment. We love to people watch. Now that
tradition, in all its assumptive glory is available any time of day. Reality
television, harmful or inspiring, has caught on, and is here to stay.
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