Realiti Tv

RealiT.V.

Throughout the past eight years reality television has been on a constant rise. Shows like American Idol, How to Look Good Naked, and Joe Millionaire allow American viewers to entertain themselves through the lives of those “fifteen-minute fame seekers” on the shows. Some critics find it absurd that Americans choose to endorse these fame seekers with their time and distracts from the more “important things” in life. Other critics applaud the creators of these reality shows for providing a way to help alleviate stress after a long day and for allowing the viewers to get a glimpse into the lives of others through their television. However, Americans are tuning in by the millions to watch their favorite reality television shows while producers are saving “tons” of money for the inexpensive production. With such controversial thoughts surrounding this new form for entertainment, there is no wondering why it has grown to be a “hot topic” among Americans today.

Some critics believe that reality television is a cheaply made production that does nothing except hinder the mind from focusing. In Terry Golway’s article “A Nation of Idol-Worshipers” he expresses his disgust for the reality television era. “I remember when children aspired to be astronauts, rocket scientists, cancer-conquering doctors, firefighters, clergy and religious and, yes, even political leaders” (Golway 526). This statement by Mr. Golway gives us insight to the critic that believes these reality television shows distract from more “important things.” He goes on to state that “today’s �idol-worshipers’ are the products of a society that values extreme narcissism and shallow fame” (Golway 526). This shows that reality television though highly entertaining can be quite addictive.

Other critics applaud the creators of these reality shows for providing a way to help alleviate stress after a long day and for allowing the viewers to get a glimpse into the lives of others through their television. In Lynette Rice’s “The Incredible Shrinking Network,” we see that the sitcoms that were once in the 7 o’clock to 9 o’clock set have been replaced with these reality television shows. “But the new network shows of fall 2002 were a creatively timid mass of remakes, bland family comedies, and derivative cop dramas” (Poniewozik 521). As a reoccurring theme that can support all critics claim, reality television is inexpensive to make and “is the best thing to happen to television in several years” (Poniewozik 521). However, one of the main reasons why the reality television shows are replacing scripted shows is because they do not require actors or actresses for an entertaining performance but rather the “common man” (Rice). In James Poniewozik’s “Why Reality TV is Good for Us,” he allows us to follow a lady who aspired to be an American Idol. Her name is Lady Tiger. After being brutally rejected by the judges, the