Reality television increases in popularity as the years go by. Most of these shows are created for the ratings: the more people who watch, the better. So, how do you get more and more people to watch this genre of television? Drama! This long-lasting key to a successful show works, but is getting out of hand. The series on television today are outrageous and reflect our society because we will watch anything. Reality television not only reflects our society in a negative way, but also affects other elements of the media.
Don’t get me wrong because I self-diagnosed myself as a reality TV addict. Shows like “The Apprentice,” “Work Out,” “Project Runway,” “The Bachelor,” and even “The Real Housewives of Orange County” are some of my favorites. However, I at least draw the line somewhere because most reality shows are unworthy of even airing on television. Should we start with “My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé” or “My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss?” What about “Amish in the City,” “The Joe Schmo Show,” or “Pirate Master?”
Seriously though, in “Flavor of Love,” the Public Enemy singer Flavor Flav tries to find love. The VH1 website describes the house that Flavor Flav moves into as a, “phat crib.” The few times I watched the show the women were trying to use their sexuality to win the love of Flavor Flav. Does this justify the show to air on television? Let’s talk about the spin-off titled, “I Love New York.” In the only episode I watched, the main character, “New York,” soaked in a bathtub while two body-builders in Chippendale dancer outfits acted as her servants while massaging her. Can we talk about “Temptation Island” for a second? They put a dozen attractive people on an exotic island to “test the strength of their relationship,” IMBD.com says. More like, “let’s put some hot people on an island to see who messes up their relationship first.”
What about America’s famous newlyweds Nick and Jessica? They ended their relationship in divorce court! This might be good entertainment, but shows like these reflect the fact that all Americans care about is shock value. The only way TV can grasp our attention is if they put something completely ridiculous on the air. The effects of reality television have overflowed into other elements of the media.
As a result of these shows, broadcast and print media have become sensationalized. America wants shock, they want conflict and they want drama! Watching the nightly news has turned into a reality TV show itself. For example, the death of Anna Nicole Smith is not something to joke about because it is the death of a human being. I wish the media would just leave the issue alone, let the poor girl rest in peace. Her death was made into a live reality show, 24 hours a day. When someone wants, as I like to call, “Anna Nicole Time,” they can just turn to the daily news, nightly news, local news, national news or even CNN. Her death dominated the TV. The biggest concern of her death was the father of her child. All I know is four men popped into the spotlight acting like they were the, ‘baby’s daddy.’ This is a fine message to send to our kids and very newsworthy to the rest of the world.
There is not a solution to the reality TV epidemic, but I hope Americans will change their mind about the unnecessary shows and tune in to the more important issues of the real world.
