The demise of American culture
“The Bachelor,” “The Real World,” “Flavor Flav,” “The Apprentice,” “The Mole,” “Survivor,” “Joe Millionaire” and “Newlyweds.” This list only names a few of the hundreds of reality television shows available on TV. But what happened to television classics such as “Friends” or “Seinfeld”? When did Americans become so fixated with watching the lives of strangers on prime time television?
The prime time line-up offers reality shows for every taste. “The Bachelor” documents a good-looking man as he searches for his future wife from 25 available women. “Survivor” shows contestants competing against one another on a deserted island for a grand prize, and “Newlyweds,” which recently stopped airing, allowed viewers into the lives of pop sensations Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey. Even “Fear Factor” displays average people competing in disgusting challenges in order to win the grand prize.
Although ratings continue to increase, I believe reality television shows will result in the demise of our culture because they dumb down our intellectual and artistic standards. These shows create a fake “reality,” and most of them create a sense of false fame because most of these reality stars immediately disappear from the spotlight after their shows end.
Unfortunately for the fans of this genre of TV, I argue each show fails to represent Ôreality. The producers and editing teams, however, place these normal people in extraordinary situations, with pre-determined goals in mind. Additionally, they use certain scenarios or settings to encourage certain behavior and response from the characters. They can even control the outcome of the show. For example, the producers of “Joe Millionaire” used audio and video clips from different scenes to make it appear like Joe and one of the female contestants did something they actually did not do.
In regards to MTV’s “The Real World,” the producers pick certain cast members, knowing that each of them will conflict with one another on the show because they all hold different racial, political and sexuality views. For example, the characters of “Real World: Key West” include one anorexic girl, one gay guy, one African-American girl, one Hispanic male and two male athletes. The producers also remove all TVs from the houses and stock the house with alcohol to spice up the drama. As you know, alcohol and conflicting personalities create the ultimate drama, which keeps viewers watching.
Basically, producers manipulate the events on screen with editing and other post-production techniques, creating completely different scenes. As a result, these reality TV characters do not even see themselves on television until the shows air for the American public. In many instances, such as Irene from “Real World: Seattle,” these people become angry because the end product usually casts them in a completely different light.
Hays Sibley, sophomore journalism major at SMU, says, “Reality TV is hard to watch. I don’t like to watch it because there is so much drama, and I feel like much of it is scripted.”
Reality shows prove our culture is losing its creative streak. Television writers and producers, who once created witty and humorous shows such as “Friends” and “Seinfeld,” solely focus on creating these so-called “real” situations and placing average Americans in the spotlight.
This spotlight presents our youth with false hope for achieving fame. Although some people from reality shows such as Kelly Clarkson who won “American Idol” or Jay who won “Project Runway” achieve fame and success, most of these reality stars only receive their 15 minutes of fame. This instant fame equates to a vice because these so-called reality stars quickly disappear from the public eye after the finale of their respective show. Where did Bob from “The Bachelor” go, or has anyone seen Ruben Studdard?
On the other hand, out of work actors looking to find another job in the spotlight return to television on shows such as “The Surreal Life,” “Flavor Flav” and “Dancing with the Stars.” These shows offer comic relief and even more drama because these “has-been” actors desperately try to regain fame.
Previous cast members from “The Real World” still continue to grace us with their presence on MTV’s “The Gauntlet,” which features them competing against one another but still shows the drama among the team members. Instead of trying to regain fame, these people need to get a real job like the rest of Americans their ages.
Reality TV only prevails because our culture allows it. Those of us that still possess intellectual and artistic minds need to realize that this genre of television presents only fake “reality.” Instead of watching strangers on TV, pay attention to your own lives. I bet your life is more interesting than you think. Put down the remote next time you attempt watching your favorite season of reality TV. We need to let these producers know that we are smarter than they think.
Sarah Riser is a sophomore corporate communications and public affairs major. She can be reached at [email protected].
