In the past decade, reality television has
grown to be the most consumed form of televised entertainment. The focus of the
genre has spanned from famous celebrities to backwoods-nobodies and has
attracted positive and negative reactions from the public. Shows such as
"Keeping up with the Kardashians" and the ever popular "Duck
Dynasty" have taken over TV sets in the homes of countless consumers who
are happy to escape to the seemingly more interesting lives of their famous
"friends." The question, however, is what kind of impact is reality
television is having on the viewers and society as a whole.
In the mid-90’s “The Real World” premiered
on MTV, marking the beginning of the current reality trend and the end of MTV
actually showing music videos. “The Real World” follows a group of seven to
eight young people living together in an elaborately decorated house with
amenities that don’t belong in most peoples’ “real world.” Since then,
television has suffered through the atrocities of “Jersey Shore,” multiple
“love-based” shows such as “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette,” “Flavor of
Love,” and the innumerable brain-cell-murdering series that have taken over
TLC, A&E, and the History channel.
The absurdity of the topics growing
continues to increase as the genre “matures” (or immatures). Sure, nobody
actually admits to liking “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” but watching it still
kills brain cells and promotes future similar programs. And similar programs will happen. Reality television
executives have very little confliction when it comes to creating a carbon copy
of an existing show. For example: “Say Yes to the Dress,” “Say Yes to the
Dress: Atlanta,” “Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids,” “Say Yes to the Dress: Big
Bliss,” “Say Yes to the Dress: Randy Knows Best,” etc. All focus on the same topic. This implies to
TV executives that they can make the same show twice and get away with it. If
the trend continues, the creativity and originality that used to fill television
could eventually cease to exist.
What’s more depressing, though, is how
willing people are to buy into the fantasy of reality television. By now,
everyone is aware of the scripting that occurs in even the most realistic
series. No one, especially famous people who rely on their public image, want
to be themselves in front of a camera. But, viewers support these people who
are essentially fooling them. “Duck Dynasty,” perhaps the king of scripted
reality TV, has pulled in viewership that tops even the greatest of original
scripted series. When viewers are promoting television that doesn’t challenge
those involved with making it, the laziness that currently exudes from the
genre could erode into other genres.
Possibly the worst impact of reality television
is on our society. Last December the amount of controversy that surrounded the
Phil Robertson homosexuality debacle was embarrassing. On a day where news was
going full force with issues such as the limiting of NSA spying, senate budget
deals, and security breaches in Target stores, we, the people, were focusing on
the words of someone who makes a living for being filmed…living. The fact that
someone with no political standing has so much leverage in our country proves
how harmful such entertainment can be. Ignoring the important news in favor of
something that really does not matter at all shows where the minds of the
general public are and suggests where they need to be.
Although quality television still exists and
has even grown in the past years, it’s obvious what most people are watching. No
signs of reality TV releasing its grasp on society are present and, if the last
20 years of entertainment is any indication, it probably won’t happen anytime
soon. Still, it makes sense to remain hopeful that the trend will eventually
die out or at least adopt some kind of quality. Until then, changing the
channel is your best weapon in the ongoing fight for watchable TV.
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