I was watching TV briefly tonight between arriving home and dinner time, and there was a story on one of those gossipy entertainment news programs about the suicide of the husband of one of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I thought it was interesting that the host interviewed various "regular folks" about whether reality TV had perhaps gone too far.
In all the Real Housewives shows combined, there were something like 39 couples, and something like 13 couples had split up after being on the show (I didn't write down the figures, so I'm just going by memory). Of course, studies show that about 50 percent of marriages result in divorce so maybe the Real Housewives stats aren't that high, but then again, those splits occurred in a fairly short period of time.
Historically people--most people--have always been nosy and gossippy. Back in the day, we watched and talked about our neighbors; now we have reality TV and . . . blogs!
I've been left comments in which I've been taken to task for blogging on subjects that should stay private. Yep, I'm pretty open about my life for the most part, but sometimes I keep things private--but, of course, you don't know that. For instance, I try to be conscious of what friends and relatives would want me to talk about and what they would not want me to talk about. I like to tell you funny stories about the people in my life, but if the stories might embarrass those people, I don't.
The difference, maybe, between reality TV and blogging is that bloggers get to edit themselves. I'd hate to have someone follow me around filming everything I do and then let them decide what to show and what not to show. Offered a chance to be in a reality TV show ("Real Quilters of Sacramento" sounds pretty catchy, doesn't it?), I'm pretty sure I'd turn it down. I can't imagine that constant attention--I'd snap, I think!
Do people on reality TV shows simply get what they bargain for, or do you think reality TV has gone too far? Most of the "regular folks" they interviewed on TV said they didn't think reality shows had gone too far, but then again, they were edited. What do you think?
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12 comments:
I think it has gone way to far. Where does it go from here? Kind of a scary thought!
The ones I feel the sorriest for are the children who are in these shows. They will have to live with that for the rest of their lives for better or worse. If child stars have a hard time growing up I can't imagine what it is going to be like for these kids.
I have never watched those shows, but I know there is no amount of fame or money that would get me to open up my life for public display.
I agree with Tiffaney...the kiddos are the ones who suffer. I never watch those shows either. Enough drama in real life!
I have never been a fan of the "reality" shows. Never watch them. I do think that they have gone too far ... do folks really need to see fake reality? They are staged, or at least I believe they are. Another example of the dumbing down of America (not sure if they have reality tv shows in other countries).
Totally gone too far. I don't watch them. I think a lot of them are scripted. They have to be.
I don't watch the reality shows, but I found it very amusing that on the news recently, Abercrombie and F were reportedly offering to pay one of the reality shows for their "stars" NOT to wear their labeled clothes. They felt that the show would tarnish the image of their company! What does that say about some of the trash on these reality shows!? A company PAYING people to NOT advertise their products!
I don't watch these shows - but I can't get them on my basic cable. Thank goodness! And if I did get those shows, which ones would I want to watch: the ones with the rich housewives with multiple homes or the pregnant teenagers with 'no clue'. No thanks, not for me.
cindy
Time for my soapbox, because this has been an issue with me for a while. I do not watch any reality tv. Several years ago, I watched a few episodes of the show with Southwest Airlines, I can't remember what it was called, but after a while I realized they weren't featuring the nice, polite passengers. You had to be cursing, or idiotic, or drunk. I decided that I didn't want to watch "people behaving badly" which is now how I describe all of those shows. If you are nice, make lovely quilts, who cares? You have to be a back-stabber or a nasty person to get camera time. What concerns me most is that as Americans--the audience--keep getting exposed to all the, then they are going to start thinking that kind of behaviour is acceptable and normal. So more than the "dumbing down" of American, as a previous commentor posted, I'm afraid they are making people nastier. Don't believe me? Try working in customer service!
You know for most of us if we want drama we have to look no further than our own back yard! And anyone who says differently is not only trying to kid you but to kid themselves as well! I have a few friends who watch these shows and I just roll my eyes when they start to say something about one of them! I do like Idol and GT and Biggest Loser. I know those are 'Reality' as well, but a little different!
I think we have to ask ourselves who we want as roll models for our kids? Is that what you want on your TV screen every night??
Another valid point and conversation Kim!
Personally, I'm not a fan of "reality" shows as rarely do they depict reality. Shows like Jersey Shore, Toddlers & Tiaras, 16 & Pregnant, etc., are NOT reality shows. I'm sorry. They glorify behavior that isn't desirable as far as I'm concerned. I'm not a fan of Idol either. If you really watch that show, it's really based upon looks more than talent in so many cases and that's sending the wrong message as well. I have to admit a weakness of mine is America's Got Talent. That's geared more toward "everyday people really." Then again AGT also has Piers Morgan. There's just something about his Brit Wit that gets to me. *giggle*
Oops. Sidetracked. Sorry. Survivor, Dancing/Skating with whatever Star, Bachelor(ette), etc. Honestly, though I can name them, I've not watched any of them. I just know the names because I avoid them. "Real" Housewives is another one I've not seen. It's all about trying to get their 15 minutes of fame. And look what happens.
Jon & Kate plus 8 huh? Yeah, reality tv did wonders for that family didn't it? You have to wonder. If they HADN'T done a "reality" show with all of the cameras invading their private lives, think they'd still be married?
Nope, not a fan of "un-reality" (er, "reality") shows. Don't watch 'em - nor dancing/singing/etc. shows. In fact, I'm not much of a fan of TV in general anymore. We don't have cable or satellite (just the antenna) and in fact, the TV has not been turned on in our home for well over 4 months. We haven't missed it. My hubby and I read, I quilt, he tinkers, and we (*gasp!*) talk to each other! It has been 27 years together, and we enjoy each other's company as much as we did all those years ago. Life is better with the TV off. Just my humble opinion.
I think the title "Reality TV" is hysterical! How "real" is being followed by cameras? It's most important to keep in mind that it's not reality at all.
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