Reality television has had a huge impact on today's pop culture. But there have been many ongoing debates on whether it actually obstructs society or is simply a positive distraction from everyday life. Nonetheless, its appeal has lasted with multiple seasons and types of shows, especially for the past decade.
Some of the most watched reality shows are competitive shows, which focus on "winning" whether it's a cooking or dating program. The following will list the advantages and disadvantages for reality programs.
PROS
1. Reality television is a distraction from everyday life.
Isn't that why we turn on that television screen to begin with? We want the drama and the entertaining characters and the crazy plot lines that don't really make sense if we start to dissect them. Life sometimes has too many problems that looking at other people's lives just helps realize that we are all in it together, no matter how weird the television might portray it. I mean, where else are we supposed to hear stuff like Kim K's metaphors on family?
2. People watching is a thing.
So, it isn't much of a stretch that we can invest ourselves in people we don't know on television. Sometimes, watching a reality TV show (despite how real it actually is) can be a psychological experiment. We want to see how that person would solve that intelluctual puzzle or conquer some obstacle. Weirdly, what some people may call "dumb television" is actually a way to broaden our scope of human behavior.
CONS
1. Reality television shows can be repulsive and vulgar.
They feed off a need to exploit people we don't know. We become so invested in these strangers that if they don't follow the decisions we want them to make, it almost seems as if they are somehow lesser people. For example, if the star of The Bachelorette doesn't choose the guy that seems the best to us, it just appears they are being fake or dumb for choosing someone who might just better for that person.
2. Just being it's popular to watch a reality show doesn't make it okay.
A lot of these shows have been found to twist the truth in order to get a better story. Since these shows are reportedly "real," the producers are forced to make their own scenarios to make it more interesting by manipulating people and situations. Is it okay to laugh at someone or belittle them for something he didn't know that he was signing up for? Reality shows may be interesting, but is it coming at a cost that it's worth it for both its cast and its viewers? We are all humans after all.
Reality shows do have their appeal. They, like any television show, are interesting and sometimes act as a needed break from our everyday problems. But does this come at a cost that is too high to pay by exploiting others? If we wouldn't laugh or tease or mock these people in person, do we have to right to do it in the private of our television screens?
I love to watch competitions and enjoy the occasional reality show, and I guess at the end of the day I remember that we need to be cautious of what we consider real and fake. As long as we don't take these people and these shows too seriously, I feel as if there is no real harm in watching them. So, next time that you are watching the Bachelor or the Amazing Race or Keeping up with the Kardashians, just remember that sometimes reality isn't always what it seems.
