Reality is what we experience day to day and without fail.
Often, movies and books try to create reality for us in the form of
a plot that we can identify with. For me, a movie has to be
somewhat based on reality. Even if the characters are not possible
(like Batman), I like good reality cues. I tend to think most
people would agree with me.
So what in the world are these “reality shows” that networks and
stations try to pass off as good TV? Usually, they are anything but
reality. Take shows like “The Bachelor,” “Joe Millionaire” or “The
Bachelorette.” There is no possible way to find love in the five or
six weeks of taping with 20 or more people all competing for your
affection and numerous video cameras around 24 hours a day. It
would be quite difficult to get to know just one person from that
set-up, and it would be impossible to get to know one person well
enough to propose to them.
All that is beside the point. The point is that this is NOT
reality! When would a normal person be shacked up with 20
stereotypically beautiful people for over a month? How can one live
life normally when there are cameras everywhere and the knowledge
that millions of people will soon see a lot of what goes on? The
people know that the cameras are there, and I’ll bet that this
influences their behavior to some degree. So, this cannot be
reality.
Many may say that it’s reality because we see the reactions of
people, and that doesn’t change. This is true, but all of these
shows are edited. All six weeks of constant videotaping would be
impossible to show and actually quite boring.
Viewers see sensational footage, and the editors create the
plot. Viewers are made to think what the producers want them to
think. For example, for those who watched “The Bachelorette,” a
great majority of people was sure that Charlie would be the one
chosen because they had shown footage favorable to Trista (the
bachelorette) and Charlie’s relationship. The network wanted to
keep it a surprise. I know we all have malleable emotions, and
that’s what television and advertising is about in the first place,
but I really hate it when my emotions are blatantly toyed with.
I am also disturbed by the claims that these reality shows
aren’t even based on a true premise. For example, several people
have come out and said that the Osbournes were wonderful neighbors
and nice people to socialize with. This is not reflected in the TV
version of their lives. Is what’s portrayed on TV a lie? I don’t
know, but I wish someone would tell me.
Another example is the new show “High School Reunion.” A couple
of people have said that when the producers approached them about
being on the show, they asked them to be someone they were not,
like the “Class Nerd” or the “Class Jock.” Obviously, not everyone
fits into these stereotypes, but shouldn’t the characters be at
least somewhat true to the past if this is going to be a “reality”
show?
I am most bothered by the fact that these reality shows, besides
not being reality at all, perpetuate a false ideal. The women are
beautiful, the men are handsome, the houses are magnificent and so
on. Out of two dozen people, one can be chosen, and it would be
love at first sight. The real world is not like this. Young girls
who dream about Prince Charming, and young women who dream about
soul mates all watch these types of shows. Life is not a fairy
tale! If one watches enough of these “perfect” lives on TV, it can
only lead to subliminal comparison of real life to “reality” life.
The two are not even close.
I am not saying we should all boycott reality shows. I watch
them from time to time, whenever I’m flipping channels and happen
to catch one. It is interesting to watch other people experience
things. But we should take these shows for what they
are-entertainment, not reality.
Janae Hatcher is a junior political science and psychology
major.