remix
These days, channel surfing without running into different reality shows has become harder and harder. From Real World to Average Joe, one can not help finding different reality shows to watch. This brings up a question: where does one draw the line? Our society is hooked on watching shows that have “average people” in it and in result, they get addicted. There is a need to make reality shows more interesting and while doing so, they come out being more absurd then reality. Anyone will do anything to be on TV, no matter how embarrassing it may be. People get absorbed and can not stop watching. People are beginning to live their lives as if they were part of this reality show and comparing themselves to these people. Since there much success, they are creating more shows. Not only will reality shows continue to flood network's schedules next fall, but television executives are also predicting such developments as an end to the traditional television season (CBS). It may come as a surprise to most people, but these shows are scripted; they are not real.
Basically, I want to discuss how much reality TV has improved but yet become more stupid at the same time. For example, there are stations which are making mini reality shows because they know how popular they are becoming and want to profit. On PAX, "Xtreme Fakeovers" is shaping up to be something weirder: a ghoulish celebration of drag and minstrelsy. Using prostheses, chestnut-colored skin varnish and colored contact lenses, makeup and special-effects artists turn men into women and Caucasians into Hispanics, allowing them to play hideous pranks on their loved ones (Heffernan).
Reality TV has a big impact on people due to the amount of viewers. I was planning on discussing the amount of viewers for different shows and the amount of reality shows that exist. Eventually, I want to bring up how the FCC works and the criteria they use to evaluate shows and how a reality show itself is made. I want to mention that people start comparing their lives with people from reality shows and the funny thing is, the people on these shows are not what they seem to be. The people on these shows put on acts and have emotions and feelings that are induced for the viewers.
The reason why I want to do this topic is because watching these shows made me realize how fake they really are. I want to get to the route of all reality TV shows and find out what they are really expecting from the audience. I want people to realize that it is not real and to understand what goes into making a reality show.
This problem can be solved if the FCC takes some action. Reality shows should state in the beginning that what they show is not exactly what may have happened. They should state that editing affects a lot of what they show and it is done in a manner that will make the viewers believe what they see. This could work if brought to the attention of the FCC where they can take into account the statistics and what is going on. People are easily influenced by reality shows and try to follow in the same footsteps. I mentioned before that people will do anything to make a name for themselves and will do anything to make it happen, which is true. People appearing on Reality TV shows are willing to do many things that most people would never realistically consider doing under normal circumstances. They are willing to eat strange and horrible things, perform dangerous stunts that could be life threatening, and putting themselves through stress that people would not realistically have to go through during life (Wearstler). Due to this, that is why there are a lot of shows like Fear Factor, Dog Eat Dog, and etc. I just want the readers to understand the truth behind the lens.
WORKS CITED
"Reality Shows Changing TV's Reality?".
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/01/25/entertainment/main537964.shtml∞
"Reality TV and the Effects it has on the Public". Amber Wearstler.
"Small Reality TV Shows Reveal Larger Truths." VIRGINIA HEFFERNANhttp://www.bgsu.edu/departments/tcom/faculty/ha/tcom103.fall2002/gp16/#effects
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=e428269f1c70361608bd052edfd8ae6d&_docnum=1&wchp=dGLbVzb-zSkVA&_md5=68c328703b37fdc251cfe8440b85837c∞
very rough draft
These days, channel surfing without running into different reality shows has become harder and harder. From Real World to Average Joe, one can not help finding each one of these, so where does one draw the line? These days, our society is hooked on watching shows that have the average people in it and in result, they get addicted. There is a need to make reality shows more interesting and while doing so, they come out being more absurd then reality. Anyone will do anything to be on TV, no matter how embarrassing it may be. People get absorbed into the TV and can not stop watching and they get lost in the show. People are beginning to live their lives as if they were part of this reality show and comparing themselves to these people. It may come as a surprise to most people, but these shows are scripted; it is not real.
Basically, I want to discuss how much reality TV has improved but yet become more stupid at the same time. Reality TV has a big impact on people due to the amount of viewers. I was planning on discussing the amount of viewers for different shows and how there are many different kind of reality shows. Eventually, I want to bring up how the FCC works and the criteria they use to evaluate shows and how a reality show itself is made. I also want to mention that people start comparing their lives with people from reality shows and the funny thing is, the people on these shows are not what they seem to be. The people on these shows put on acts and have emotions and feelings that are induced for the viewers.
The reason why I want to do this topic is because watching these shows made me realize how fake they really are. I want to get to the route of all reality TV shows and find out what they are really expecting from the audience. I want people to realize that it is not real and to understand what goes into making a reality show.
My solution to this problem is simple. I propose that all reality shows state that what they show is not exactly what may have happened. They should state that editing affects a lot of what they show and it is done in a manner that will make the viewers believe what they see. This could work if brought to the attention of the FCC where they can take into account the statistics and what is going on. People are easily influenced by reality shows and try to follow in the same footsteps. Many are trying to get known by making a name for themselves and will do anything to make it happen. Due to this, that is why there are a lot of shows like Fear Factor, Dog Eat Dog, and etc. I just want the readers to understand the truth behind the lens.