Reality based programming has taken over television, and is growing more and more popular as the years go by. Shows like “Survival”, “Big Brother”, and “The Bachelor” have drawn millions of viewers to tune in to watch faithfully week after week (Miller 2000). One reality show that is also extremely popular is “The Real World”, which is the Music Television’s (MTV) longest running series and appears to have no end in site (Peyser 2001). The idea of the show is to bring individuals from different backgrounds into one house and watch how they interact with each other after niceties are thrown to the wind and they start “being real” and began to reveal their true colors. I must admit that I also enjoy the show and at one point seemed almost addicted when it first aired because I hated to miss an episode and was glued to the screen, ignoring phone calls and any other distractions when it would come on. Now that it has been on air for over 15 years I still love the show but rarely have time to watch due to work and other responsibilities.
The concept of reality television is appealing to me and many others I think because it gives viewers a chance to watch a real person’s unscripted day to day interactions. You get to see real arguments, real friendships and everything in between, and something about that apparently appeals to viewers. However, when you think about it though, one could argue the authenticity of reality television because is it actually as real as it is portrayed to be? There are cameras everywhere at all times, whether they are eating, sleeping, or in the shower so just how real can one be with a camera in your face knowing that millions of people are watching everything you do or say? Cast members from various episodes have said that they got used to having the cameras around and their presence actually made them feel as if it was more real because their lives were being documented (Miller 2000). Regardless of varying opinions about the reality of “The Real World”, and other programs like it, the show continues to get high ratings and will probably be around for a considerable time to come.
References
Miller, E. (2000, Fall). Fantasies of Reality: Surviving Reality-Based Programming. Social
Policy, 31(1), 6-15. Retrieved March 5, 2008, from Academic Search Complete database.
Peyser, M. (2001, July 2). 'Real World' After All. Newsweek, 138(1), 54. Retrieved March 5,
2008, from Academic Search Complete database.
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3 comments:
Coreen,
I can not believe that the Real World has been on for almost 15 years I used to watch it all the time too. Your analysis hits home, although Aamerica's Next Top Model is not really a reality show I do not miss an episode. I even watch the reruns on Sundays.
I must agree with the article that how real could these people be sometimes I wonder if they are not part scripted. Like Big Brother, I can not watch that show at all, it is so fake and unreal. I could not imagine anyone living like they do yet like you said people tune in by the millions and keep it on the aire WHY!!!!!!
Lisa Wyche
I too agree with what you and the article had to say. I used to watch reality tv but more and more found myself not rushing to the tv to watch. I believe most of it is scripted. I watched one episode of Big Brother and was not at all intriqued. However, I did watch several seasons of Survivor and stopped after the Rob and Amber episode. He definitely out witted everyone but she did not deserve to be one of the winners. Anyway, great job on your analysis.
Good pick, it seems crazy to think some of those shows have been on for so long. I also have wondered if some of the parts in the shows are scripted, it just seems like it all fits together to perfect.
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