New Reality TV
The prospect of new reality TV elicits excitement in some and groans in others. Do we really need another batch of rich faux drama, bachelors breaking up, people losing weight, performers competing against each other, and ?unique? families? What happened to actual reality? When you think about it, we?re taking time away from the real world to focus on someone else?s TV edited version of unusual, ?real? experiences that you don?t see every day. There was a time when reality TV was charming and novel. Up until then, TV had been all about fiction, imagination and fantasy. The idea to broadcast life as it is was an interesting notion. But slowly the elements of fiction began to creep in?footage was rearranged, parts left out, situations construed to heighten drama, and slowly but surely reality TV started to resemble its fictional counterpart.
Granted, it?s not like reality TV started from the top and plummeted downhill. It was more like a low up to a high, and then down to an all time low. Early reality TV show contestants revealed that what was televised was significantly different than what had actually occurred, and to this day it?s a situation that probably still occurs. However, some new reality TV shows that came after were less contrived and even inspirational. There?s no denying the skills of contestants on America?s Got Talent or America?s Best Dance Crew, and it?s moving to see where these people are coming from and how they?re coming closer to achieving their dreams.
Maybe part of the reason new reality TV isn?t feeling so new is because many of them are just sequels of series that have been airing way past the first season. And reality TV has taken an extremely dark, ugly turn with the recent controversy of Jon and Kate Plus 8, rumored to become Kate Plus 8. The entire nation has been following their acrimonious divorce, taking sides but mostly expressing disgust over the entire situation and sympathizing with their kids. Many feel that if the show continued, it would be simply for the sake of money, and it?s impossible for the show to be just about raising 8 kids anymore.
As the new reality TV shows of 2009 and 2010 approach us on the horizon, will we watch out for them or shut the blinds? Regardless of our actions, reality TV is still television in the end, and the show will always go on.