Reality Television: Is It Harmless Entertainment or a Cultural Threat?

Reality Television: Is it harmless entertainment or a cultural threat?

Reality television was aired for viewing after World War II in 1940 (Haggerty 686). Many of the reality shows viewed today are adapted from shows that were aired in the early days of reality T.V (Haggerty 686). Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors (Haggerty 686). Sometimes the reality television is portrayed in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded such as game shows (Haggerty 686). Many people cannot relate to the scripted programs on television; thus, reality television gives them a chance to see real life situations endured by real people (Hirschorn 143). For reality TV has become a controversial subject with many young viewers trying to mimic what they see on television (Dreyer 409). Viewers have been forced to turn their televisions off with the growing vulgarity of reality shows (Grazian 71). Is reality television a threat to our culture or is it merely entertainment with no lasting effects?

Not all reality television is about sex, drugs or scandals (Haggerty 686). Others focus on ordinary people engaging in common activities such as dating or home redecorating (Haggerty 686). In both instances, viewers are given the chance to compare and contrast their own lives with those of the shows' protagonists (Hirschorn 143). Many people find comfort in reality television because of its lack of perfection, the women are not airbrushed and real people are not airbrushed either (Haggerty 693). Many reality television shows are informative to the public such as “Americas most Wanted,” which gives the viewers the criminal background information on wanted felons (Haggerty 688). Reality television is a cheap filler that saves companies money, which they can use elsewhere for more-worthy programming (Hirschorn 138). Reality shows cost anywhere from a quarter to half as much to produce as scripted shows (Hirschorn 138).

Lurking beneath the surface, however, are lessons about the political world (Dreyer 409). By pointing out to students how political processes operate in reality television shows it may be possible to turn television viewing into instructive learning and draw typically reluctant participants into class discussion (Dreyer 409). Reality TV also presents some of the most vital political debate in America, particularly about class and race (Hirschorn 140). Fox's “Nanny 911” and ABC's “Supernanny” each offer object lessons on the hazards of parenting in an age of instant gratification and endless digital diversion (Hirschorn 140). All reality television does not have to be about how many girls a guy can bring home, but it can have some true informational messages for its viewers (Dreyer 409).

Most