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How Reality TV Effects Real Life

Unscripted with no plot, reality television shows have been growing more and more popular. For a person on the show, their goal is monetary value and fame, however the young viewers watching are imitating the behaviors associated with these shows and encouraged that these actions are OK. Reality television has tremendously impacted our society because of the drama that has been programmed. What we don’t take into consideration is the fact that sometimes these shows are nothing but drama filled stories that has trumped what once was called values.
Fact is, these shows has taken over the airwaves and in addition taken away a few values that were once beneficial to society. The most watched reality shows send negative messages subliminally to some viewers simply because they identify with these what these reality stars are doing. A lot of the younger viewers think that these people are role models, do not understand how to discipline themselves enough to leave the entertainment world in their fantasies. Fighting, personal intimacy, teen pregnancy and suicides were once things not thrown into every scene of the media. “The more people are exposed to any message, even terrible ones, the more likely they will be accepted as the norm. (Taylor, 2011) They idolize these regular people and do not understand that these shows are not to be reenacted. These actors know that if they add drama they will get high rating and be paid, they are prompted to inspire while entertaining.
Shows like “Teen Mom”, document the life of pregnant teenage girls, paid thousands of dollars to welcome America into their lives to help prevent teenage pregnancy. High drama that captivates the audience makes the viewer feel as though they can relate to the message given off by these shows. I am always befuddled by how society perceive these shows, forgetting that these individuals are nothing more than an average person living and learning just as we are. Viewers turn to diehard fans waiting on the star to give them the answers to situations that they can relate to forgetting that value and morals are supposed to helps guide us through life. Parents used to give direction for the future now viewers are imitating what they see on television and are now being guided by these actors.
Shows like “Intervention” pose a more serious tone. In fact, Intervention aired a show that decided to film a story of an alcoholic. She had been drinking and wanted to go for a drive. The producers not only allowed her to go, they filmed it. In the case of reality TV documentary shows like “Intervention” can leave the producers as witnesses to crimes, raising questions like when they are obligated to step from behind cameras and intervene, the law states that producers bear no responsibility to intervene. (Peters, 2007) To think that these people are on the show to get help would raise questions as to why the producer would watch a person put themselves in harm’s way just to get footage. Over and over again these negative images are programmed into our mental There has been shows containing laws being broken, such as the show they filmed about an alcoholic that downed some Vodka moments before operating a vehicle. While they film these shows, most would think that they mean no harm and are encouraging someone dealing with addiction to get help, it too is being programmed in to the minds of many. If mass media plays such a big role in influencing people why broadcast so many of the same drama-filled scenarios over and over again? As the producers from “Intervention” said, “The money.” (Peter, 2007) These shows are watched by millions, some relating life to these real life situations yet is only filmed to bring money in. A show with so much credibility and impact on one’s life should definitely be looked at for more than money when being filmed, otherwise the message being sent is questionable.
Reality television may have a more positive stance had the producers create the shows because of empathy, someone that really wanted to make a difference. Sure there are reality television shows that
Some reality show stars have had tough times going from fame back to the real world or maybe they have secrets revealed that media gets a hold of and are being ridiculed by tabloids and news. Some reality television celebrities have been under so much pressure since being in the spotlight they’ve went as far as ending their own lives. After Real housewives of Beverly Hills aired, the husband of Taylor Armstrong committed suicide. Months before his death, Taylor went to the media about his violent past. Suicide tragedies have been hit other shows like “Supernanny”, “Teen Mom”, “Kitchen Nightmares” and “American Idol”. These shows impact not only the viewers, they impact the celebrity as well and the results show just how much negativity can effect a person. The media is a very powerful tool. Reality television is now a big part of the media and while these shows sky rocket in ratings each week, they are also becoming a source to look up to when it comes to how to live life. Teenage pregnancy, fights, sex, drunken rants were once rarely seen on television because they did not want to subject people to those things. The more we see something, the more that it is accepted. Reality television has imprinted wild behavior into the minds of young viewers lessening what was once rich values. Until our minds are stimulated by positivity we will always crave the non-sense of these shows, not realizing that these shows have a big influence on society. These shows have proven to cause more harm to both its audience and even the stars of the show sometimes end up damaged beyond repair. Still these shows that are filled with no substance or value are

Reference Page
1. McKay, H. (2011, Aug 17). Dark Side of Reality Television Spotlighted as Networks Struggle with Growing Number of Cast Suicides. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/08/17/dark-side-reality-television-spotlighted-as-networks-struggle-with-growing/
2. Peters, J. (2007, October 08). When Reality T.V. Shows Gets Too Real. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/business/media/08reality.html?ref=realitytelevision