The Real Facts About Unreal TV

Expect the unexpected, outwit, outlast, outplay and lie, cheat, steal are all slogans for popular reality television shows. The name alone for these shows can be seen as an oxymoron. Viewers are now finding out that the ‘reality’ in these shows is still staged. Reality TV was introduced when issues arose with too much violence and explicit content on regular TV programs. However, there are now arguments that reality television is worse than regular programming. Reality TV is painting a picture to viewers that is not as ‘real’ as one may think. For example, The Bachelor, Laguna Beach and The Real World all follow young, good looking, wealthy people on their quest to love and happiness. The real truth behind these shows is that the majority of the world is average and the cast members of these shows spend hours in the makeup chair. This theory of reality TV is supported by the ritual or transitional model in which one believes that the actual program on TV is the message, not the median itself. This model claims that people’s exposure to reality TV will have a direct effect on the viewers; this will be a change in cultural norms in what is acceptable.



Even though reality TV depicts many dramatic situations and shallow people, it is impossible to say that all of these shows have a harmful effect. Dancing with the Stars and the Biggest Loser are geared more towards an adult audience. Both these shows focus on adult competition. Individuals are shown working hard as they dance or run their way to the top. It could be said that Reality TV shows are more harmful to children watching than to adults. With regular programming, these children know that the content is unreal. Children do not know that Hollywood reality is much different than their life. Hollywood life is about drama, violence and stupid stunts but it can also just be fun, full of family and enjoyable; however that second half doesn’t usually make great television.




By: Tamra Barlow