For my hour of reality television I chose to watch MTV’s hit show, “The Real World”. The shows main focus is on a group of diverse strangers that a chosen to live together for several months in a different city. Cameras record anything and everything that goes on with the cast over the 3 months that they reside in San Diego. MTV’s official “Real World” site states, “The diverse group includes a Zimbabwean Gymnast, a Professional Football Player, a Nuclear Engineer, a Drag King, a Model, a Bisexual Recent Graduate, and a San Diego Native who, as the youngest in the house, may have something to teach her roommates yet”. Through reading this description I think that anyone could be convinced to watch the show. The particular episode that I watched was called “Pride and Prejudice”. It is a little ironic that a highly respected piece of literature by Jane Austen has the same title as a television show that airs late a night so children won’t accidentally get caught up in the “trashier” scenes.
I usually don’t get too wrapped up in reality shows such as this, but this particular season has actually been more interesting in a positive way. The issues that are addressed throughout the season are real life issues that are being discussed in society. The two major issues dealt with on the show are eliminating the prejudices of homosexuality, and suicide prevention. The Bisexual Recent Graduate aka Frank, and the Drag King aka Sam are two of the individuals who are fighting to eliminate the discrimination that people have on the homosexual population. The Nuclear Engineer, Nate addressed the issue of suicide prevention by doing charity work.
I am not saying that reality television is in anyway inspiring, but there are some issues addressed on certain shows that have positive aspects to them. Reality television is so entertaining because we believe that the people on these shows are just like us. We find it fascinating to think that that could be us on the television. I feel that our role as the viewers is to encourage the cast members to act as if people are watching. Although no one seems to act reserved on the shows, they know we are watching. It makes their actions seem a million times better or worse because they are willing to act a certain way knowing that all of American can see.
We influence the games because we participate and encourage the players. The people on some reality shows are not actors and actresses. They are real people from towns just like ours who finally got a chance at fame. It is their decision once on the show if they are going to act as a positive influence or negative influence.
I agree that this season is a very interesting season in a positive way, they do highlight the same issues that are occurring in society today. I like that you address both the homosexual discrimination and the suicide prevention. It shows that some how these reality shows are dealing with things that the average person can be struggling with. By no means does this make reality television real, but it does show that people can relate to the people on the screen. I also like that you address that it is the individual's decision to either act positively or negatively on the screen.
ReplyDeleteI have never watched that show, but the way you described it, it caught my interest. I think reality gives us drama in a way that we can't predict the plot. In non-reality shows there is a plot and you can often guess how the show or movie is going to end and this is not the case with reality, you don't know what is going to happen. This along with the fact, like you said these are actual people and these are their actual lives is what draws us in. I agree that how they choose to portray themselves in front of the camera is up to them.
ReplyDeleteI think that its interesting that you say that as viewers we are encouraging their behavior. I would agree completely, if cameras were completely absent from these individuals lives, i feel that they would act a lot differently. I hate to say it, but its just like a small child. If you gratify them by giving them attention, they continue the act they have been doing whether it be negative or positive.
ReplyDeleteWow I decided not to watch this season because it didn't have much spark to me...but I am happy to hear that this season has more positive aspects to it. It's good that this season addresses some of the problems that people in our society are going through today. It gives some people someone to relate to. I also agree that by us watching these shows and boosting up the ratings we're giving these people the OK to do what they do. And to also continue because we'll keep watching.
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