On my brothers way down to the dinner table he tripped and fell down the stairs. I began to chuckle as I saw his body now lying of the floor. To my defense I was not the only one who found his actions comical. I was accompanied by the giggles of my family. Fortunately, my brother was not badly injured and soon chimed in with the laughter. This incident made me recognize how people find amusement in the mistakes of others. The same concept can be applied to the entertainment that comes from watching reality TV. Reality TV shows display the actions of other individuals regardless of how absurd they may be, and in return the viewer finds pleasure. People are often drawn into the life of others, lives in which may appear more exciting than the
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These types of programs are invented to be unscripted representations of the cast’s everyday life. However, this is not necessarily the case. Adding scripted scenes in episodes is becoming more frequent as ratings for networks remain increasing. Phycologist Romeo Vitelli, Ph.D. affirms, “To keep audiences watching, the producers… typically include a ‘draw’ by featuring media celebrities or people with extreme wealth to show viewers a side of life they might not otherwise see.” (Vitelli). The shows are not truly about the daily lives of individuals, but solely about any kind of senselessness the producer wants to be performed. Previous cast members of MTV’s “The Hills”, Audrina Patridge and Kristin Cavallari, have revealed their quarrels on the show were staged. The cast are like puppets. Younger audiences; however, cannot tell that episodes of such programs are essentially scripted. They observe these shows and consider the conceived everyday lives of these people, as real. George Gerbner and Larry Gross from the University of Pennsylvania, established a theory that suggests “long time TV viewing cultivates how viewers perceive reality.” According to this theory, “the more time people spend ‘living’ in the television world, the more likely they are to believe in the social reality presented on television.” The Bachelor, as pictured to the left, takes the idea of …show more content…
People are drawn into the so called “real life characters” and enjoy watching a program that is seemingly unscripted. The unscripted aspect adds to the connection the audience feels with the cast, and the suspense of what is to come. Reality TV has become a toxin in the culture that is beginning to infect the lives of many. Programs of these type are wildly entertaining: nonetheless, should be viewed with caution. It is almost impossible to watch these types of shows, and be unaffected by them. However, removing the genre completely from society will not generate change. Reality television is merely a reflection on our society. Regardless of what may be exposed people will always have a passion for
These types of programs are invented to be unscripted representations of the cast’s everyday life. However, this is not necessarily the case. Adding scripted scenes in episodes is becoming more frequent as ratings for networks remain increasing. Phycologist Romeo Vitelli, Ph.D. affirms, “To keep audiences watching, the producers… typically include a ‘draw’ by featuring media celebrities or people with extreme wealth to show viewers a side of life they might not otherwise see.” (Vitelli). The shows are not truly about the daily lives of individuals, but solely about any kind of senselessness the producer wants to be performed. Previous cast members of MTV’s “The Hills”, Audrina Patridge and Kristin Cavallari, have revealed their quarrels on the show were staged. The cast are like puppets. Younger audiences; however, cannot tell that episodes of such programs are essentially scripted. They observe these shows and consider the conceived everyday lives of these people, as real. George Gerbner and Larry Gross from the University of Pennsylvania, established a theory that suggests “long time TV viewing cultivates how viewers perceive reality.” According to this theory, “the more time people spend ‘living’ in the television world, the more likely they are to believe in the social reality presented on television.” The Bachelor, as pictured to the left, takes the idea of …show more content…
People are drawn into the so called “real life characters” and enjoy watching a program that is seemingly unscripted. The unscripted aspect adds to the connection the audience feels with the cast, and the suspense of what is to come. Reality TV has become a toxin in the culture that is beginning to infect the lives of many. Programs of these type are wildly entertaining: nonetheless, should be viewed with caution. It is almost impossible to watch these types of shows, and be unaffected by them. However, removing the genre completely from society will not generate change. Reality television is merely a reflection on our society. Regardless of what may be exposed people will always have a passion for