Reality television is defined as a genre of television programming in which “real life” people are followed in a situation, game, etc. While reality television shows have been around since the 1940s (Candid Camera), they became even more popular in the 2000s with the development of Real World and Big Brother. In these shows, groups of everyday people, who had never met before, were placed in a house and cameras caught the action of getting along, getting in fights, and, most popularly, getting in each other’s beds. Since then, the genre of reality television has only increased. Today, there are shows where people compete (Skating with the Stars, Big Fat Loser), shows where people try and find love (The Bachelor, I Love New York), and shows that simply follow the lives of “ordinary” people (The Hills, Keeping Up with The Kardashians). Perhaps the favorites are the shows that follow ordinary people. The real question, though, is how are these shows effecting our perceptions, and more importantly children’s perceptions, of real life?
According to George Gerbner, television is the “central cultural arm” of American society. Based on this, his cultivation theory claims that heavy television viewers tend to use the television stories to construct their own views of reality and the world. So, based on this theory, if someone were to only rely on reality television programming, what might his or her worldview be? They would believe that everyone has tons of money without having a job, that partying is the best way to meet people and form relationships, and that, in competition, its every man for himself.
And what would happen if people, children and teens especially, started modeling their behavior after reality stars? Our future generation might look like this:
Modeling theory says that people will imitate behaviors they saw portrayed in the media if they view them as attractive or useful. Children are the most impressionable age group and if they watched a lot of reality television, they might start to act or talk in similar ways to what they see on screen (and acted out by people much older then they are).
Also, children and teens that are subjected to reality programs may eventually become victim to the disinhibition or desensitization theory. The disinhibition theory says that people who once had objections to something will be more likely to take part in that activity if they see it more and more. Desensitization theory says that people will become less affected by certain things that once bothered them (like premarital sex) and eventually it won’t seem as offensive to them anymore.
What values are being taught? Additionally, do the values portrayed on reality television coincide with the values we as Americans believe in? Think about what types of values the American society praises – faith, morality, hard work, and loyalty to name a few. Now think about how often you’ve seen those ideals on a reality television show? Personally, it is easier for me to think of scenes that depict the opposites of said values, particularly several scenes of calling out of work or being reprimanded by a manager for not showing up and calls home to boyfriends or girlfriends telling them of indiscretions.
A lot of reality shows are believed to be staged and locations all predetermined. So, what makes reality television real and what about them is so captivating? The reality lies in the people, or their characters. In my opinion, it is the people’s reactions and behaviors that create the reality of reality television. Put ten different people in the same situation and only one or two responses are really going to be entertaining, take those couple of people and put them on television and reality shows are born. While the situations or locations may be set up, we are entertained by how the cast handles the cards they’re given. It’s captivating to see people handle things in ways you never would or fight with each other loudly or live in such extravagant ways that you just can’t look away.
I sometimes catch myself just watching shows to see what they’re wearing or what cars they’re driving. And some reality shows have really developed ways of life based on that fascination. For example, the Jersey Shore boys have made the acronym “GTL” a common, everyday term (it stands for Gym, Tan, and Laundry). Is this development of self-awareness healthy, though? Should kids and teens be so concerned with their bodes and self-image? I work in a children’s clothing store and was appalled when I once heard a 7-year-old little girl continuously thank her father for saying the jeans she was trying on made her look too skinny: “Good, I want to be super skinny. That’s a good thing to be skinny,” she said. Also on the Jersey Shore, phrases have developed referring to the appearance of others – grenade, busted, landmine, all used to describe “ugly chicks.” So it’s difficult to believe that reality television shows where cast mates are constantly working out or competing for plastic surgery to look “perfect” aren’t influencing children and teens and their self-perceptions.
Perhaps the biggest downfall of reality television is that it sets up false illusions of what to expect from real life. While the people chosen for reality television shows are, for the most part, just randomly selected based on audition tapes and interviews, they ultimately become somewhat, if not hugely, successful from their run on a reality show. Celebrities have returned to the small screen to revamp their careers or shed light on how they “really live” and “everyday” people have made names for themselves, some even have costumes being made after them.
Children and teenagers start to idolize reality stars and believe that if that “nobody” could become famous so easily that they will be able to, as well. They believe that a reality show will launch their careers and help them succeed. This is probably because a lot of reality stars, after their shows end, continue to make money. They are paid for appearances at award shows and starring on other reality shows:
(Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino on Dancing with the Stars.)
(Some of the Jersey Shore Cast helping Chelsea Handler host MTV's Video Music Awards.)
They write books,
develop cosmetic lines
and never really have to return to, ironically, their old realities. Moreover, the reality that is portrayed in a lot of shows is nothing like how that environment really is. Both the Jersey Shore and the Real Housewives of New Jersey have received criticism for how they represent New Jersey and the Shore lifestyles. Tourists go expecting to see tons of overly tan party animals when really that’s only a fraction of the real population.
While reality programming is very entertaining, all audiences, especially children and teens, need to be aware that that is simply all it is – entertainment. Even though some of the activities they take part in might be part of their real lives, everything is exaggerated on the show and more than that the show features only 30 minutes to an hour of edited work of filming that lasted months. Episodes are pieced together to be the most outrageous vantage point possible and a lot of times real people who do a lot more than just party or sleep are only shown doing those things because it builds a character that people either love or love to hate. They become known by their nicknames (The Situation, JWoww, Snooki) or by their everpresent physical features (Snooki’s poof hairdo, Pauly D’s blowout, The Situation’s abs, all of their tans).
(Ellen DeGeneres dressed as Snooki's poof for Halloween.)
Recently, Nicole Polizzi (or Snooki) posted this video explaining her true self.
Viewers just need to be aware that the best way to view reality is not by sitting on their couch, watching it happen on their screens.
