Assignment 1-4

Reality television has been a large part of pop culture for many years. Reality television dates back as far as 1948 with the creation of Candid Camera. However, it has now become such a part of our television viewing that with the beginning of each season there are fewer scripted shows and more reality shows. Many people wonder why we have started watching so much reality television especially because so many people find it a guilty pleasure that they spend hours each week watching these shows. But it seems to be that people watch reality TV to see something relevant to their own life on these shows. People like to know that they are not alone. They watch shows such as The Biggest Loser because it is encouraging to know that other people struggle with the same problems as they do – and many times they are much worse off. They enjoy watching shows that teach how to make their own lives a little better. Shows such as What Not to Wear show people how they can change their lives to make them better. There are also shows that people watch because they want to believe that their dreams are possible. Shows such as American Idol take “regular” people and help them make their dreams come true. Everyone wants to believe that their dreams can be attained and by watching other people have their dreams come true it makes it seems as if your own dreams are within reach.
People have a variety of reasons for watching reality television shows but no matter what the reason is these shows are becoming a staple among our viewing habits. Many weeks 2 or 3 of the Top 10 shows, based on number of viewers, are reality shows. The last week reported by Nielsen Media includes 2, Dancing with the Stars and the Dancing with the Stars results show. People become very invested in these shows and their “stars”. Many of these people go on to participate in other reality shows or have special shows created about them. Several marriages of reality stars have been made into television specials. People become invested in the lives of these characters and want to see more about their lives. It gives them a chance to become engaged in other people’s lives as an escape from their own.