I am a reality TV junkie. I love it! Why, you ask? I’m not exactly sure. Part of me likes seeing people make fools of themselves on national television and another part of me roots for someone like me to make it to the big time.
Ever since the first days of Survivor, America has been obsessed, and I mean OBSESSED, with reality TV. The first Survivor finale brought in a little over 51 million viewers. That’s more than twice the population of Texas!
Psychology Today conducted surveys to figure out America’s fascination with reality TV. Most Americans said they keep up with reality TV so they can have something to talk about with their peers. I see this being very true. The show Jersey Shore has created a following that constantly has people asking the next day, “Did you see what Snookie did last night?” We all want to fit in, and, since reality TV has become such a part of our culture, we all have to watch reality TV to fit in.
Psychology Today also speculates that Americans watch reality TV because they identify with the want to rise to automatic fame. Whether you actually are a talented singer or your vocals are best suited for the shower, I think we’ve all had a fantasy of being on stage with millions of fans adoring us. Wait, you haven’t? Oh, me neither. I’m just saying most people have. This is why American Idol still brings in about 20+ million viewers each season.
I’m sure as avid followers of reality TV you are well aware that reality TV isn’t always reality. I mean, is it every day that one guy is surrounded by 25 women vying for his attention, like on The Bachelor? And I think we all know that it isn’t normal for 15 people to be cooped up in a house full of cameras doing ridiculous stunts, like on Big Brother. Don’t think I’m dissing these shows, I can’t get enough of them, but some of the things they do just plain aren’t normal.
Ray Richmond, a television critic for Hollywood Reporter, told MSNBC that reality producers take a “kernel of fact and using it to construct a multi-pronged piece of fiction in the guise of truth and actuality.”
Many people may feel betrayed, but I say ratings are ratings-do what you have to do. Most of these shows would probably be a lot more boring if there wasn’t some kind of drama created, and, I’ll admit, that drama is what makes those shows so darn addicting!
When it comes down to it, America is so fascinated with reality TV because the contestants’ “reality” is so much more interesting than our own! But it looks like we’re all ok with that!
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