Television Then and Now

Comparison essay
Television Then and Now As long as television has been around, people have been affected by the way it has changed the world. Television has changed so much since 1970 to 2010, as society has transformed. From the way people dress and talk, to the different music types and other interests all have a lot to do with the transition of television now. Television has progressed in 2010 because there is more variety and diversity in it than in 1970. Before television was invented, people watched shows and plays and wanted the actors to be as convincing as possible. Things have not changed when it comes to television and movies, people want to be convinced that what they are watching is real in 1970, sitcoms with live audiences and settings that look real but were in a studio were very popular. In 2010, however, television is filled with reality shows with little to no acting in them, and real live settings. “It is intrinsically fascinating to see how people speak and behave in unusual situations. This is why many intelligent people find themselves gripped by Big Brother and other reality shows. They teach us something about human nature” (Reality TV). Few channels on today’s television have shows that are not reality, it has taken over society. Whether it is shows like Keeping up with the Kardashians for people who love celebrities or America’s Next Top Model for those who strive to be a model, these reality shows have plenty of varieties for everybody to relate to. Where as in 1970, variety of shows were limited. It has become clear that people thrive on watching other people’s lives and want to believe they are real. In 1970, the racial issue was calming down and more African-Americans were shown on television. In the hit sitcom, Sanford and Son, Fred Sanford is a junk dealer who lives in the projects with his son, Lamont. Most African-American roles had this title of not being successful in the world of 1970. Today in 2010, African-American’s are seen as wealthy, successful and equal to Caucasians as opposed to how they were seen in 1970. African-Americans such as the President of the United States, Barack Obama is seen on television periodically, as well as many other successful African-Americans. Television shows have African-American’s with lives no different than the lives of Caucasians or of any race, television shows equality now. Television is more diverse with shows like The View with three Caucasian women, and two African-American women. “Children feel more accepting towards race when they see diversity on television” (Dryer). Even commercials limited the number of African-Americans in 1970, and now many commercials have every race in them to show a world of all races, ages and genders that they are accepted in today’s society. Children did not watch as much television in 1970 as they do in 2010. In those days, only a couple of kids’ shows aired on television and when they were done, kids would run outside and play. Television was also more conservative, and the family could watch anything together. In 2010, children spend more time watching television than playing outside and doing activities. Children’s television shows have advanced in teaching and expanding their horizons. Programs such as Dora the Explorer teach them Spanish, and JoJo’s Circus teaches them manners and how to interact with other people while including them in the show. Parents need to decide on how much television their children watch, but kids can definitely benefit from the television shows that are shown today. “Kids imitate what they see on TV” (Children). Children should not watch everything that is on television, it is no longer conservative. Profanity is now acceptable as well as many other inappropriate things that children should not be watching. However, plenty of channels are specialized just for kids, and now televisions are programmed to have parental control on anything parents want to set it on. None of which were available in 1970. Television has come a long way since 1970, as the society has come a long way as well. Television reflects the world and what it is today in every aspect. It is diverse, advanced in technology, and has more variety than in 1970.

Works Cited “Children and TV Violence.” American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. No. 13. Web. 13 Nov. 2003
Dryer, Lindsay. Personal Interview. 22 Sept. 2010.
“Reality TV Shows: Pros and Cons.” The First Post. Web. 18 Jan. 2007.

Cited: “Children and TV Violence.” American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. No. 13. Web. 13 Nov. 2003 Dryer, Lindsay. Personal Interview. 22 Sept. 2010. “Reality TV Shows: Pros and Cons.” The First Post. Web. 18 Jan. 2007.