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Entertainment July 26, 2019
The good, the bad and the ugly of how reality television affects society...
ENTITY shares the ups and downs of reality television“Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” “Jersey Shore,” “The Bachelor,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race”- what do all of these shows have in common? They fall under the category of ‘reality television’. These are all shows that are known worldwide for having a devoted audience and an engaged fan base. But, how are these shows shaping society?
During the month of July, there were 48 television shows filmed that fall under the category of ‘reality television’. It is safe to say that society has developed a bit of an obsession with watching people display their personalities on television. But, is this world of reality TV harming our society? Reality television got its start in 1984 with the show “Candid Camera.” This show filmed unsuspecting people in quirky or outlandish situations. According to The British Psychology Society, the success of this show contributed to the flood of reality television shows in the late 1990’s early and 2000s.
Some people go on reality TV because of their funny or odd talents. Some go on for a claim to fame. Others, like the Kardashians, go because of chance opportunities… We should ask ourselves, is watching young girls go through the struggles of pregnancy glorifying teen pregnancy? Is watching twenty successful women chase after one man promoting unhealthy dating culture? And is watching twelve young people spend their summer drinking and doing drugs excessively an unhealthy influence on the minds of young people?
It is important to acknowledge that not only can there be negative effects of reality TV on the viewers, but it is not easy for the contestants/actors on these shows. There is constant pressure to act a certain way and unhealthy standards of what to look like. Not to mention, the pressure with how to act and respond in certain situations. Dr. Arthur Cassidy, interviewed by INews, spoke on his concerns about the well-being of people on these reality shows. “The problem with craving fame is that reality TV is a fickle world for young people to get into. It’s a distorted world because it affects their self-identity.” Dr. Arthur Cassidy also spoke on noticing multiple accounts of reality TV stars leaving shows with a multitude of issues, depression and thoughts of suicide.
Andy Dorfman, who was on Juan Pablo’s season of “The Bachelor,” stated that being on the show left her confused. She said, “this is the stupidest thing I’ve ever been a part of. I’m standing here cold, my feet hurt, and I’m waiting for a dude I don’t know to give me a rose.”
If reality TV is affecting the stars of these shows and society so horribly, then why is it still being created and filmed? Business Insider reports seeing serious complaints against reality television shows. Such as, many of the shows solely rely on the public’s enjoyment of humiliation and degradation of reality tv show participants. They also report noticing a divide of people who really enjoy reality tv shows and people who absolutely hate them.
You’re probably thinking, ‘there has to be a positive to reality TV…’
Clinical Psychologist Dr. Patricia Farrell, reports that reality TV can be enjoyable because we are able to separate the fact that reality TV is usually not ‘reality’. Most reality stars are playing a role to create drama or excitement during the show. She goes on to compare reality tv to playing house when you were a child. Stating, “this is the equivalent of playing house in a way with people on TV who aren’t there physically with you.”
So, will you continue to keep up with reality TV stars?
