"Reality TV": For the good or the demise?!
Question: We all know there are too, too many shows on television dubbed "reality series". We also know that they are in no way, shape, or form realistic. This is dating back to the originator, "The Real World". It's very ironic, but... has the influx of such shows been good or bad for America? Everyone has their pathetic little chance to get on TV, whether they win a contest or fail miserably... so has this phenomenon led to bigger dreams or more sorry lives?
Answers: We all know there are too, too many shows on television dubbed "reality series". We also know that they are in no way, shape, or form realistic. This is dating back to the originator, "The Real World". It's very ironic, but... has the influx of such shows been good or bad for America? Everyone has their pathetic little chance to get on TV, whether they win a contest or fail miserably... so has this phenomenon led to bigger dreams or more sorry lives?
I agree that it's hardly "reality" if there is a camera present; I believe that people instinctively "act" when the camera is on. My opinion is that people who appear on reality shows as "contestants" really don't care if they win or lose, but are just wanting exposure, and something for his or her resume (Do you really think anyone wants to "win" Flava-Flav?). I think a lot of people watch these shows because of the watching-a-train-wreck factor, and keep watching until the end because they want to know what happens next, and they love the idea that they're watching people who aren't playing characters (although most of us know better), and the audience really feels like they really like or dislike someone who is real.