There was such a high demand for reality TV shows that “the number of reality programs went from four in 2000 to about 320 a year today”. What makes these shows so intriguing to the average American? There are multitudes of theories. One that S. Shyam Sundar, a professor of communications and co-director of the Media Effects Research Laboratory at Penn State University Park holds “(reality TV is) much more seductive [than other types of programming] because it seems much more real, much less orchestrated.” Americans like this sense of authenticity, and that what is going on, on the TV could possibly happen to them.
James Wiltz from Ohio State University conducted a study and found that "the more reality TV shows a person likes, the more concerned he or she is with their social status” This goes along with the fantasy of what’s going on, on TV could actually happen to them.
Another viewpoint supports this is; “Reality shows are just a way of living what you wish you lived throughout watching someone else doing it”. In a sense this is very sad, we get pleasure out of watching someone else living his or her life, as we would like to live ours. These shows should influence Americans to live their lives to the fullest. Yet I believe it hinders our motivation, for we can get the same amusement or delight from an action done on TV than doing it our selves. What is your theory on why reality TV is so heavily watched?
I find your assertion that reality TV is "less orchestrated" an interesting concept. In an ideal world, perhaps it is, but we do not live in an ideal world. If an audience clustered around their plasma screen can guess who's being voted off the island next week, then either a) it's staged, or b) it's not a very good show.
ReplyDeleteAs for "living what you wished you lived", for the hardcore realty addict they are living it - without all the stress of getting up off the couch.