These days there are a lot of reality shows being produced that if you turn on the TV it is difficult to not end up watching a reality show. “At least 20% of the prime time schedule during the [2003] February sweeps period was composed of reality programming” (Rankin). There are various reasons why reality TV has become so popular among TV viewers. Some experts suggest that reality shows have gained popularity due to the viewer’s boredom with traditional and predictable shows but others say that it may have been caused by the viewer’s secret desire to see others humiliated on TV (TV Gets Real). Most people watch these shows just for entertainment but some people have different motives for watching reality shows. As stated in the article “Factual Entertainment and Reality TV” by Daniel Beck “seeking entertainment, fun and thrill, and avoiding boredom are the main motives for watching the shows”. On the other hand, the co-creator and executive producer of Real World, Mary Ellis Bunim proposes the idea that the reality based show is so popular because "it holds up a mirror to ourselves" (TV Gets Real). Viewers are more likely to connect with the characters in reality shows because they embody similar lifestyles (Beck). In addition, "the voyeuristic instinct may indeed partially account for the shows ' popularity" (Saye). Some believe that people enjoy watching others display intimate details of their private lives so they could say that aren’t we superior to them (Saye). Watching others embarrass and humiliate themselves on TV makes them feel better about
These days there are a lot of reality shows being produced that if you turn on the TV it is difficult to not end up watching a reality show. “At least 20% of the prime time schedule during the [2003] February sweeps period was composed of reality programming” (Rankin). There are various reasons why reality TV has become so popular among TV viewers. Some experts suggest that reality shows have gained popularity due to the viewer’s boredom with traditional and predictable shows but others say that it may have been caused by the viewer’s secret desire to see others humiliated on TV (TV Gets Real). Most people watch these shows just for entertainment but some people have different motives for watching reality shows. As stated in the article “Factual Entertainment and Reality TV” by Daniel Beck “seeking entertainment, fun and thrill, and avoiding boredom are the main motives for watching the shows”. On the other hand, the co-creator and executive producer of Real World, Mary Ellis Bunim proposes the idea that the reality based show is so popular because "it holds up a mirror to ourselves" (TV Gets Real). Viewers are more likely to connect with the characters in reality shows because they embody similar lifestyles (Beck). In addition, "the voyeuristic instinct may indeed partially account for the shows ' popularity" (Saye). Some believe that people enjoy watching others display intimate details of their private lives so they could say that aren’t we superior to them (Saye). Watching others embarrass and humiliate themselves on TV makes them feel better about