Values and Reality Tv Programming

Values and Reality Television 1

Values Portrayed on Reality Television Programs

Wendy Cubos

ENG122

Professor Jaden H. Klein

August 27, 2010

Values and Reality Television 2

Reality Television and Values Portrayed
Reality based, non-scripted television shows have gained popularity over the last
Few   years.   They can be seen on a global scale.   Due to this gain in popularity, concerns have emerged about the values that are being portrayed on these shows, particularly how those values affect women.   Girls between the ages of 8 -18 spend 6 ½ hours per day with various media (Rideout & Roberts & Foehr, 2005). That amount of viewing has changed what is acceptable behavior and image young girls and women. I have found that reality television programming only shows sexual content 27% of the time, compared with movies at 89%, sitcoms 84%, and soap operas, 80% (Lederer, 2001).   As with any television program, reality television programming will still have an impact on standards and behavior, including behavior in women and young girls.
Jagodozinki (2003) defines reality television as the careful video construction displaying 
“the ‘lives’ of ordinary people engaged in sometimes extraordinary events” (p. 320).  Ouellette 
and Murray (2004) explain reality television as decidedly commercial in form and based on what is popular at the time, while claiming to be depicting real life.   Pecora (2002)   defines reality programming as while unscripted, is edited for the most shock value.   Most people in the cast are want to be actors or aspire for fame of any kind.   These programs often explore the dynamic of group interactions.   Reality television is a means by w which television producers portray reality that has been built to suit their desire for program ratings , where  the reality will satisfy the 
the audience,.   That is not dissimilar to the goal of much, if not all, of the programming found on television. 

Reality... [continues]

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