My Theory on Reality TV Shows

Growing up, my dad never approved of me watching MTV shows. I never understood why until I got older. This was just the start of reality TV. The shows were a little trashy and demonstrated some people's lives in negative ways. Just 5-8 years ago, MTV's 'reality shows' were simple, one episode, dating games. Girls would search a few guys' rooms and pick a guy based on the room she liked most, and vice versa. There was another show where a guy or girl would go on a date with several singles packed in a bus and he/she would say, "Next" to get a different person. Now, MTV reality shows consist of "16 and Pregnant" or "Engaged and Underage." I'm not sure why people actually apply to be on shows like these, but they choose to have their personal lives recorded for national television. These shows are meant for entertainment and the viewers want drama along with conflict, so that's what directors aim for. Since I wasn't allowed to watch MTV as a young girl, I found other channels to catch my interest such as, TLC, Style Network, E! Entertainment and TBS. There are many reality shows to choose from in this selection of channels. All have the same underlying motive, drama and conflict, to entertain viewers. I will admit that I love to have "Bachelor Night" with my girlfriends and watch The Bachelor together. We also watch The Hills and a few other shows. I watch these shows with an understanding that these reality shows aren't so real.

Social Media relates to Reality TV:

Social media has grown so much in the past few years, from email to MySpace to Facebook and Twitter. Privacy is an ongoing issue with the amount of information openly floating around online. I didn't even fully understand how easy it is to find information about people online, until my dad was able to see my Facebook without even having an account. I think this new concept of online networking ties in with reality TV. Everyone has a reality show of their own, whether it's through MySpace, Facebook or LinkedIn, or even Twitter accounts. The only difference between reality shows on television and our reality shows is we get to control the outcome! Keep watching your favorite shows, but don't let them consume you!