Reality TV... Or So They Say

      My take on reality TV is that it is far from reality. It teaches people how they should behave in order to get attention or admiration from others. We all know the Snookies of the world who are no more than trash talking overly dramatic, obsessive and just plain idiotic bimbos with  heads full of hot air. The Media is not aware of how powerful their influence is on society. More and more Americans are staying home counting the hours before their poorly written plot shows begging. What is even more shocking, children are now being use as targets for commercialism and vulgarity. A part from only using the well known "sex factor" to draw viewers, reality TV is now a multi billion dollar business with lucrative contracts and sky rocketing careers. However the lost of self-respect and utter humiliation is not worth any amount of cash.


      Reality TV has pushed the envelope way too many times to be ignored. TV shows that show the real lives of high school kids or that show the weight battle of multiple obese Americans is no laughing matter. Many people who are shown in our television devises are under the subconscious mentality that they  must behave a certain way before their audience. This causes a domino effect, making the viewer think that the way the people behave on screen is a legitimate way to act in real life. After all isn't that reality. Television programs such as the Jersey Shore show 6 Italian twenty-somethings living under the same roof where complete insanity and unbelievable scenes take place. A specific episode where the co-star female participant gets punched in the nose became a public display of violence that ultimately became a social joke. Besides being completely degrading to the Italian community, the shows lack of supervision has send a subliminal idea that it is ok to punch people during an argument. Other shows like Teen Mom or Engage and Underage have represented a life short cut from life's youth. In a way projecting a life plan to a much younger audience.

        The other day my 10 year old little sister asked me to use my lap top I asked "why?" and she replied by saying she wanted to watch a show form youtube.com via facebook. I was a bit apprehensive so I asked her if I could watch it too. As she logged into her facebook account she clicked on a video that read Genuine Ken. It's a reality online show that is in the search for the next Ken doll for Barbie. The show seemed to be alright at first. However, as the show went on to the talent competition some of the contestants got a bit too PG-13 if you know what I mean. A guy rips off his shirt, on is cursing like a sailor, and all of this is made for a young audience. I told my sister this show was not appropriate for her age and to be wise about what she watch. Little boys and girls should not have to be thrown into ideas or visual connection such as these. It is our role to provide a good and positive example to our younger generations and teach the that reality TV is not real life.