A Reality Check
American Idol, Survivor, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, America’s Next Top Model, and the Bachelor. What do they all have in common? They are reality shows, the latest television fad. These shows are obviously addictive–there are wars going on, there’s housing, health care and environmental issues to worry about, but I’ve heard more about Jordin Sparks winning American Idol in the last couple days than anything else.
I used to go to school with a girl who planned her week based on these types of television shows. “Sorry, I can’t go for coffee tonight. I have to watch
3 Responses to “A Reality Check”
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You have a great point, Ami. Most of these shows probably aren’t completely realistic…so is there danger in us calling them “reality” if they really aren’t?
Even though I enjoy catching an occasional episode of a reality show I don’t get caught up in the drama to the point I have to see what happens to Susy on the next episode of Big Brother 25. My life is a reality show! I mean sure, it’s entertaining in the moment but we have to realize that it’s just NOT true “reality” but based on the premise of reality. It’s what I choose to call “fantasy-reality”. In the history of television there has always been shows based on reality such as game shows, talk shows, talent variety shows, court TV shows – where people’s lives in some way have been exploited usually by there own choosing over the airwaves since its invention. So I’m with Darren, people – read more books!
This is true. Ironic that so-called reality shows often feature premises and situations that are far removed from reality for the vast majority of viewers, let alone the rest of the world. I guess this is because TV is primarily not a medium of reality; it’s a medium of escape from reality and entertainment. Which is a good reason why people should read more books! </end rant>