The Reality of Reality Television

For almost a decade, we have been watching the reality television programming that the major broadcasting corporations have been subjecting us to. The explosion in popularity of reality tv started in the early 2000's and since that time we have been bombarded with numerous spin-offs and sequels. What I find more disturbing than the sheer stupidity of these shows is our interest in them.

Simply put, there is no reality in reality tv. I think most of us have realized that these "unscripted" shows are certainly not "unscripted", let alone real. Former cast members have told the media producers utilize many tool to make these shows work. Story lines are manufactured by "ghost script writers". Directors order "takes" to get good footage for production. Advanced editing techniques are sometimes used to create story lines and plots when formerly one did not exist. Shows cast individuals whose are picked solely on the anticipation they will create strain between characters, thereby establishing a pathetic attempt at a "plot" and "resolution". Reality is basically not an ingredient in the recipe.

With reality dating shows (specifically The Bachelor), for instance, the ending is far from reality. I was unfortunately subjected to watching the particularly hapless season finale of The Bachelor with my wife and was shocked (sarcasm) when I found out that the Bachelor had changed his mind about his final selection and instead decided to marry the first runner-up. Come to find out, the producers of the show told the Bachelor to select his number 2 at the final rose ceremony and then change his mind on the show to both (1) raise ratings and (2) create a spin-off for the Bachelorette. Bogus. I felt dumber for having wasted the time watching this God-forsaken excuse for "prime-time programming". Shame on you ABC.

These shows are not only falsified, they also depict examples of how not to act. I was also subjected to watching "The Hills", an MTV reality tv show. The demeanor and sense of self-entitlement these young adults (and I use that term very loosely judging by their behavior) demonstrate is sickening. I'm not sure if it's (1) a "Southern-California" thing, (2) a "my-mommy-and-daddy-are-super-rich-and-I-can-do-anything-I-want" thing, or (3) an "I-have-my-own-spot-on-a-popular-show-on-MTV" thing that makes these people act the way they do. The actions portrayed on this show wouldn't be considered civil/acceptable in the animal kingdom.

Essentially, each "character" is trying to outstage the other in order to get more air-time and exposure. These tactics have resulted in the show's characters evolving into nothing more than a bunch of 20-something prima donnas throwing fits when they don't get everything they want just the way they want it. So much for character development, right? When I was 5 years old and acted like these "celebrities" do, I got a good spanking (and thank God I did).

Yet what worries me about 99.9% of the reality programming on MTV is that teenagers and pre-teenagers are watching these shows at alarming rates and viewing the actions exhibited as acceptable ways to behave in public and interact with others. This coupled with parents' declining use of discipline has created a generation filled with snot-nosed-whiney brats that have the moral integrity, civil attitude, and public awareness of a 5-year-old throwing a temper-tantrum in Toys-R-Us. Taking heed from the examples on MTV would only create a generation of self-fulfilling adults who crave everyone's attention by making a public spectacle, labeling the coming generation the "look-at-me" generation.

What's worse is that these reality programs have effectively lowered the standard by which we judge programming. When was the last time a great series like Cheers or Seinfeld made its way into the programming line up? Reality programming is so prevalent and popular that its stronghold on prime-time time slots has crowded out the introduction of new, possibly award-winning shows. How many new, good shows can you think of? I can only name a few off the top of my head.

I can understand why major networks continue to make these shows; they are cheap to produce and the American viewing public has become addicted. But seriously, how many seasons of Dancing with the Stars does America need? Does America really need another Idol? Will every bachelor and bachelorette get their own shot at finding love in front of millions of viewers? How many more reality tv shows can they produce? How long until all reality has been filmed?

The traditional benefit and appeal from television was that it presented an opportunity for people to escape from reality into a land of fantasy, comedy, action, suspense, etc. But this option has been severely depleted for almost a decade and I don't know if I can see an end in sight.

I can only hope that eventually network producers move away from reality television so I can finally watch something either mentally stimulating or entertaining for that matter. As long as there is demand for these shows, unfortunately the networks will continue to run them. Subsequently, you won't find me at home watching as well (if I can help it); you'll find me reading a good book or catching up on world events.