Have you ever watched a reality television show? Reality TV has become widely known to many people over the years. In the 1940s, there were only 2 reality TV shows aired, and in 2010 there were more than 300 (Ocasio 1)! Reality TV is divided into the following categories: game or elimination, talent, talk, makeover, documentary, or spoofs (Thomas 1). It is controversial that reality TV has an influence on the way people act. Some may think it is a bad thing, but it can be a positive! Reality TV can be inspirational and broadcast public awareness.
Reality TV shows can be inspirational in many ways. For example, when viewers watch success stories they see how people can change their lives around and think maybe they can do that for themselves. An example of a reality TV show that expresses inspiration is America’s Next Top Model. Even though not every girl can win, many women have gone off and succeeded in life after with the help of that show, for example, Tocarra Jones did (Wood 1). You may watch that show and think all the women are catty. All girls are catty sometimes, but on this show the girls are on their own and have to face battles against other people, just as we all do. Now this can show viewers they need to be the bigger person sometimes, stand up for themselves, and not let others beat them down. A survey says that the majority of viewers that watch reality TV shows are more likely to aspire leadership (Radford 1). Inspiring viewers is not the only thing reality TV shows do, though.
Next, many reality TV shows broadcast public awareness. Public awareness basically means what it says- making the public aware of a certain topic. In this case, reality TV shows can make the public aware about teen pregnancy. Studies show 87% of teens that watch the show ‘Teen Mom’ feel educated about teen pregnancy and do not glamorize the show (Perritano 1). In fact, in 2009, teen pregnancy rates were at the lowest they’ve been for 70 years! Other shows, such as Dr. Oz, educate viewers on almost any topic you can think of from weight loss to pregnancy. A lot of reality TV shows have guests on the show to make the people who are watching feel like they’re not alone with their problems, like Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Oprah, and Ellen.
Many people may think reality TV affects its viewers in a negative way. Similar to short stories, reality TV shows have morals, too. People think reality TV is a negative influence because it can be deceptive to reality (Wood 1). One popular reality show, Jersey Shore, seems to glamorize partying, violence and drinking, but what many people do not realize is that it can show the many dangers of living a life of that nature! Also, the reality TV show, Keeping up With the Kardashians, seems to enforce bad behavior and fighting amongst family members. However, they always seem to find a resolution to their problems, showing viewers that fights can be resolved and that family should come first. Reality TV is primarily made for entertainment and if anything else, to impact viewers in a positive way, not negative!
As you can see, reality TV broadcasts a positive influence on its viewers. Reality TV can be inspirational in several ways, you can be informed about public awareness of numerous topics In your everyday life. How does reality TV influence you?
Works Cited * “Is Reality TV Messing With Your Head?.” Scholastic Choices 28.3 (2012): 12 MasterFILE Premier. 14
Dec. 2012. Web. * Ocasio, Anthony. "Reality TV By The Numbers." Reality TV By The Numbers [Infographic]. Screen
Rant, LLC, Feb. 2012. 11 Dec. 2012. Web. * Perritano, John. "What Is Reality TV 's Influence on Culture?" How Stuff Works. HowStuffWorks Inc.,
11 Mar. 2011. 29 Nov. 2012. Web. * Radford, Benjamin. “Reality TV: A Positive Influence for Girls?” Discovery News. Discovery News, 2
Dec. 2011. 14 Dec. 2012. Web. * Wood, Laura. "The Positive & Negative Effects of Reality TV." EHow. Demand Media, 15 Sept. 2010.
19 Nov. 2012. Web. * Worsham, Rebekah. "The Advantages of Reality TV." EHow. Demand Media, 26 Apr. 2010. 29 Nov.
2012. Web.
Cited: * “Is Reality TV Messing With Your Head?.” Scholastic Choices 28.3 (2012): 12 MasterFILE Premier. 14 Dec * Wood, Laura. "The Positive & Negative Effects of Reality TV." EHow. Demand Media, 15 Sept. 2010. 19 Nov. 2012. Web. * Worsham, Rebekah. "The Advantages of Reality TV." EHow. Demand Media, 26 Apr. 2010. 29 Nov. 2012
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
In “Reality TV is NOT Reality” Jim Taylor discusses why he believes countless Americans continue to watch reality television even though it is nowhere near an accurate representation of normal human life. He also discusses how watching these specific TV shows impact our actions. First, he argues that reality TV takes extreme human qualities and exaggerates them to turn them into entertainment.…
- 171 Words
- 1 Page
Good Essays -
In the article “Getting Real With Reality TV” published in the 5th edition of Perspectives on Contemporary Issues, author Cynthia M. Frisby argues that the reason that reality TV stays so popular is because of the audiences media gratification from social comparisons in the mass media.…
- 570 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
In her article “Getting Real with Reality TV,” the author Cynthia Frisby highlights the facts of reality TV shows that has an enormous impact on viewers in America, by showing evidence that indicates the health of her words about how reality TV influence on the community(2004). The author talks about the methods in how reality TV grabs the attention of people. In describing this, she majorly concentrates on how reality TV shows are most popular television programs that creates a deep effect on people, which makes them compare their self-values with star show characters to aim for a new goal and obtain a bright future. Through her effective use of organization, content, and tone the author has been able to bring great views of reality TV that…
- 374 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Cynthia Frisbys' "Getting Real with Reality TV" demonstrates the relationship and longing that individuals have for reality television. She references a plenty of various appears and clarifies how there is a show for pretty much…
- 687 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Is Reality TV good for us? This may be a question a person might ask themselves if they were one of the millions people who checked in with Joe Millionaire in the fall of 2003 on Fox. "Why Reality TV Is Good For Us", this article was written by James Poniewozik in TIME magazine in 2003. Poniewozik goes to talk about how reality TV is good for all of us, "that viewers can empathize with Tony Soprano without wanting to be him" (Poniewozik 471). Wrong, most people look at TV and dream someday of becoming these fictional characters that we perceive as good and bad. TV viewers are being lead astray, "When a Reality TV show depicts bad behavior, it's immoral, misanthropic, sexiest, or sick" by attracting viewers to a point were their interested in how far TV will go.…
- 922 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
On January 24 2011 I attended the Presentation given by Jennifer Pozner. This presentation was called “Project Brainwash: Why reality TV is bad for women”. Project Brainwash focuses on how reality TV shows are maintaining stereotypes that society has created for women. Although many of us believe reality TV is just mindless fun, Pozner points out that many of the shows are portraying women badly and making them conform to society’s beliefs of what a woman should be like.…
- 599 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
What impact does Reality TV have on its viewers? Cynthia M. Frisby an associate professor of advertising at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Columbia, and coeditor of Journalism Across Cultures. Answers the question in “Getting Real with Reality TV” on September 2004 in USA Today magazine. Cynthia M. Frisby validated the appeal of Reality TV to viewers.…
- 561 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Reality television is a genre of television programming in which celebrities are filmed living their everyday lives. These celebrities can be people that were born in wealthy families or just ordinary people that have become celebrities because of television. The “reality” of these shoes is that the cast are perceived as role models to a variety of people watching them. These people are presented with no morals, ethics, or education. These shows do not present a good way of living but they are addictive and more viewers attempt to obtain these lifestyles everyday.…
- 516 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
One might ask, how often do I watch Reality TV? I would say that most people would find themselves watching at least a few hours of TV a week. Cynthia Frisby has made it clear in her article “Getting Real with Reality TV” that people enjoy and in some cases plan their lives around reality TV. Being the associate professor of advertising at the University of Missouri School of Journalism and co-editor of Journalism Across Cultures, Ms. Frisby has clearly shown her establishment and knowledge in the field of writing. Frisby’s fantastically written essay on reality TV is extremely captivating and retains the attention of her audience, shows strong support with a logical order, writes to a specific audience, and…
- 897 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Shows like Keeping Up With the Kardashians, The Bachelor and The Real Housewives have been taking the country by storm with the unscripted, outrageously unpredictable stories of ordinary people from around the country.Americans spend 33% of their free time watching television and 67% of the shows are reality television(Reality Television:a Shocking Statistic).The average American watches five hours of television a day, that means they spend three and a half hours a day watching reality television.This shows that reality television is affecting everyone's everyday lives.Reality television is harmful to our society because it promotes stereotypes,it leaves a lasting impression on young susceptible minds,and it is false advertising.…
- 1407 Words
- 6 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Over the years, hundreds of reality shows have been created as television networks advances, the popularity of reality TV increase. Many people like that reality TV shows were about real people with real life situations. In this article, “Getting Real With Reality TV,” by Cynthia M Frisby, the associate professor of advertising at the University Of Missouri School Of Journalism Across Cultures. Wrote this article in 2003 and it appeared in the September 2004 issues of USA Today magazine. Frisby begins by explaining what reality TV is, followed by the three major categories of Reality TV, which are games shows, dating shows, and talent shows. She then goes to in to explain that reality TV is becoming more common in casual conversation. She continues by mentioning some of the shows that have captured the attention of American television viewers and the 10 reality shows that were…
- 606 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Oregon State University, 2001. Reality TV: A Brief History [online] Available at: http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/soc499/cordray/media/Realitytv.html [Accessed 29 December 2013]…
- 2664 Words
- 8 Pages
Powerful Essays -
“In 1948, Candid Camera aired for the first time. Alan Funt was thought to be the originator of what we now call reality TV. In the 1950’s, came Truth or Consequence. In these programs people were recorded in their natural surrounds and their reactions to different situations. In the 1970’s PBS aired what would be the reality programming of our time in a show called An American Family. An American Family followed a family around in their real life and watched every personal moment unveil in front of them.” (Slocum, 2010)…
- 1085 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
Out of many TV shows, there is an extensive number of reality TV shows. For example, the most common are American Idol, The Bachelor, and Big Brother. These reality shows impact our lives both positively and negatively. According to Cynthia Frisby, “reality shows are just new shows that promise more drama, suspense, and laughter while constantly pushing the strings on what is morally and decently acceptable.” Reality TV shows craft opportunities for normal but talented people to compete against one another in an immense amount of ways. To most these reality shows can be a relaxing comfort but to others it can be an emotional rollercoaster just to view one certain show. Reality TV can affect the viewers and the contestants especially emotionally, selfishly, and physically.…
- 1008 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
I can remember when I was younger, coming home from school into the house to change clothes and head back out the door to play. Any entertainment I received was what I experienced outside. When I came into the house, I was able to watch very little television. The most television I was able to watch was on Saturday mornings and it was cartoons. Today, the young and old come home and the first thing they do is turn on the television set. According to a survey done by Emory H. Woodard and Natalia Grindina, “on average, people are watching over 51 hours of television- that is five hours a day of TV on average for the last quarter of the year. Teenagers (12 to 17) spend 103 hours watching TV a month, whereas senior citizens (65 or older) spend 207 hours”(Media in the home) With the slumping economy, people are forced to stay at home to conserve resources. Although there are plenty of economical alternatives people could do, the world would much rather increase their television watching.…
- 1784 Words
- 8 Pages
Better Essays