Has Reality TV Overrun Television?

Bello
Adria Bello
Period 1
12 English
Mrs. Miller

Has Reality TV Overrun Television?
Thirteen years ago, the most popular television shows were Frasier, Friends, and E.R: fun loving sitcoms. The top rating shows currently on primetime television are American Idol and The
Voice: reality shows (Fahner, par. 3). Television has become overrun by reality television, pushing sitcoms and other programs to the side. Reality television is infamous for its questionable depictions of life, and it id debated upon whether it is considered quality programming. Though there are certain reality television shows with reedeemable qualities, the vast majority of them do not come close to being considered quality televison.
Most reality television shows that target an adolescent audience tend to display questionable morals and behaviors. In a recent survey conducted by the Girl Scouts Research Institute, it was concluded that girls who are regular viewers of reality TV tend to agree that you have to be mean or lie to get what you want. Reality TV is so impactful upon young viewers because they truly believe that the show depict real people in real scenarios; they don't get all of the manipulation producers make behind the scenes (Weiss, par. 4, 17). If most of what a teenager knows is what they've seen on TV, which is absolutely plausible, adolescents could create unneccessary problems involving money, relationships, and grades (Clark, par. 9). The excessive drinking, partying, and fighting going on in the
Jersey Shore house is a perfect example of such detestable behavior.
A recurring trend though most reality television is the importance placed on appearance and social status. Girls who were interviewed in 2007 by Jennifer Pozner, executive director of Women in

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Media and News, stopped being critical of the way Tyra Banks attacked the appearance of contestants on America's Next Top Model (Weiss, par. 6-7). Most girls saw nothing wrong with Tyra's vicious attacks on contestants. Judges on reality competition shows, such as Simon Cowell of American Idol, are celebrated for their ability to “cut a contestant down to size” and are rewarded with being deemed the “richest and most successful” member of the cast (Weiss, par. 8). Sherri Williams, a Ph.D candidiate and adjunct instructor and Syracuse University, believes that directors and producers of reality shows look to cast types as opposed to whole, complete people, which in turn lead to stereotyping. Williams also inquires that although many reality show demonstrate behaviors, they don't often show characters facing the consequences of their actions (Fahner, par. 13-15). Children and adults are being conditioned to believe that being overly critical of one another is perfectly normal, and even praised.
Unrealistic expectations and overdramatic behaviors can also be linked to the excessive viewing of the wrong reality TV programs. Jennifer Pozner argues that on most reality shows, men only have value if they're rich or a “macho violent d-bag,” most likely referring to the male cast members of
Jersey Shore (Weiss, par. 15). Dr. Brad Gorham believes that not solely reality tc shows demonstrate how certain behaviors will be rewarded or punished; however, there is a certain concern that frequent reality TV viewers will learn that detestable behaviors are desirable and they will start being performed in the real world (Fahner, par. 9). Many oversearching themes that appear in the failure of young relationships include extreme overreaction to jealousy, commitment issues, control problems and ineffective communication; frequently displayed in reality programming (Clarl, par. 7). Undesirable behaviors are abundant in reality television, and they are being reenacted in everyday life.
Although there is a multitude of detestable reality television shows, there are a handful that give reality TV some slight redemption. Show such as Amazing Race offer a glipse into new cultures, diversity, and teamwork. The Biggest Loser call attention to one of our nation's biggest health epidemics; it puts a strong emphasis on person al health and nutrition (Weiss, par. 21). Shows on BET

Bello such as The Family Crews and Being Terry Kennedy demonstrate counter-stereotypical male behavior;
Mary Mary (WETV) and Welcome to Sweetie Pie's (OWN) are also positive reality TV programs that fight against negative stereotypical behavior (Fahner, par. 18). Not all of reality television is bad, however a few redeemable television shows unfortunately cannot outweigh the damage done by all of the awful reality television programs that are so popular today.
It is eye-opening to realize reality shows such as American Idol and The Voice dominate primetime slots that were once the home of zany sitcoms. The era of reality television is here, and coming with it are the horrible messages that they display. The few redeemable shows such as The
Biggest Loser and The Amazing Race cannot cancel out the outrageous behaviors shown in shows such as Jersey Shore and Buckwild. Besides a minute group of programs, reality television shows cannot justifiably be considered quality television.