Reality TV Shows and Their Effects on Society

[loulizlee]

http://www.citytvweb.com/the-reality-television-shows-and-their-effects-on-society/

I have read some articles recently (some of them more current than this one, copied below) about the topic of reality shows and their effects on viewers.  I have had my own opinion for some time now that most reality shows are poor excuses for TV shows.  The stuff that comes out of them, especially celebrity reality shows, are mostly mindless blather.  I Ithink the reason a lot of TV producers like them is that they are cheap to make and the profits are tremendous.  I guess a lot of people like to watch mindless blather.  I never understood why good television is not as entertaining and relaxing as these shows.  What do you think?

"Are you fond of watching TV? Are you a fanatic of the new shows or the traditional ones? With so many new shows on TV these days, do you stay longer in front of the TV now than before? Are you one of those avid viewers who anticipate and just can’t wait for the next episode? Which shows do you patronize?

Well nowadays, most young viewers prefer to watch and enjoy reality TV shows. Different viewers have different reasons why they do so, and there lies the underlying effects of watching such. Watching these shows has effects on the viewers and the society in general. It may be positive to some audiences, but it also affects negatively to many, depending on how one views and takes the essence of the show.

Let’s discuss these reality television shows and their effects on society. First, a reality show stars a non-celebrity or a volunteer who wants to participate in the program, and the core role is to see what their reactions in certain scenarios are, and how they face given situations.

In some ways, this gives the audience a connection with the show’s stars as they feel that they are “real and normal” people representing them. This is why the reality shows are hitting big time in the TV scenes because the audience empathizes with the show’s stars. Unfortunately, this is also why reality shows have a negative impact on the audience — because they tend to think, act, and feel, like the show’s stars, and in the process lose their own sense of critical thinking and “real” emotions towards certain situations.

Reality television shows and their effects on society are also dependent on the viewer’s desires and motives, they see themselves in these stars and somehow these stars are living their lives through the show. Each reality show portrays and fulfills certain desires - like power or influence, travel and living, survival and outwitting, beauty and satisfaction, revenge and honor, etc.

The viewing audience doesn’t realize that these reality television shows and their effects on society are reflected on how people compromise their well-being and self-worth. This observation may not seem likely but studies show that it has distorted one’s views on the “real” reality.

More people enjoy a certain sense of pleasure and satisfaction when they watch these reality television shows and their effects on society are continuously mirrored in the way they interact with others, deal various situations, and face certain challenges.

One must be keen in absorbing the messages of these shows and one must remember that each individual handle scenarios, problems, dilemmas, differently. What makes it worse than the way it affects people now, is that viewers get entertained by the sadness, depression, frustration, and emptiness that reality stars feel and experience in the show.

It’s time to get real when you watch these reality TV shows."

[donnainky]

The only reality show I like to watch are the cooking shows. I have no desire to spend hours watching other people live their so called life. I have my own life and enough in it to keep me happy and fulfilled. I don't need to watch a bunch of rich people make fools of themselves

[TXmomma]

I've never really understood the appeal of 'reality' shows.  From the little I've seen of them, they're all just a big waste of time.  I prefer watching older style shows which means when I do watch t.v. it's usually reruns.  There are only a couple of shows on the air now that I even watch.

[crazyzoo]

Reality shows have gotten ridiculous it seems to be all that is on tv I prefer a movie or the old sit com I have no interest in other peoples so called life

[banderson5]

i hate immoral reality tv shows like finding a bride or groom for entertainment. someone is going to b e affected harshly no matter the end. i do like the one about a business owner who goes undercover. that actually has meaning

[sommap]

I don't bother with any of the reality tv shows. 

[PMZ908]

why are they called them "Reality Shows" when they are fake and scripted.

[loulizlee]

I agree - "fake and scripted" is right.  There are some shows that I do like that could be classified as reality shows but are a cut above these shows.  I like the Investigation Discovery Channel and those types of shows that are more of a dramatic show, or, as someone mentioned, cooking shows.  Actually, I think cooking shows and such are in a different category altogether.

[sak4kat]

When Idol first came out I watched it season after season.  Than my babies turned into toddlers and I pretty much gave up watching tv in general.  Occasionally I would find a cooking show competition show that interested me...I really enjoyed cupcake wars.  But than the toddlers turned into big kids and now one is a teen and I found myself tuning into Idol with my 13 year old.  My husband and I were enjoying celebrity apprentice too....but I can see how each show is rigged so to speak for nothing more than ratings and making more $$$.  What happened to the good tv we grew up on?