October 25 , 2005
OPINIONSReality TV is society’s zit
Reality TV, it’s practically an oxymoron.
When I think of the word reality, I think of the here and now, situations that are lived first hand. Reality is not something that can be lived vicariously.
TV, to me, is the exact opposite. Fictional characters in unlikely situations with scripted outcomes is how I would define 90 percent of TV programs. There are many programs that emulate real life, but they are still crafted.
So combining the two terms seems odd to me. Reality and TV are on opposite ends of the teeter-totter, when one goes up the other goes down.
So why are there so many programs being broadcast these days that claim to be Reality TV.?
This is my theory. Have you ever had a zit smack-dab in the middle of your forehead? I’m sure we all have.
No one ever congratulates you on a sweet zit. It’s repulsive something that we want to get rid of. Yet at every possible chance we are looking at the zit. Bathroom mirrors, car windows, its always on our mind.
Reality TV is society’s zit. It brings the absolute worst that we have to the surface, so that we can gawk at it.
I’m sure the idea originated when some network executive walked by the bathroom and saw his son examining the small mountain forming on the tip of his nose and thought, “I can turn a profit on this.”
He then proceeded to find the most morally unstable and emotionally under-developed individuals who were gullible enough to let themselves be caught on tape. These sheep were herded off to exotic islands or specially designed houses to be filmed.
Teamwork, maturity, loyalty and various other noble human traits were tossed to the four winds as the programs focused on the anger, betrayal, hate, lies, over-reactions, and general stupidity that found its way to the spot light.
And yet instead of turning away we watched. Heck, we even TiVo’d it to watch again. I refuse to believe that we, as human beings, are what is being portrayed on TV I believe we are all much better than that. I hope Jessica Simpson is the only person who could miss an exit while her talking, on-board computer navigation system tells her to turn, repeatedly.
Let’s face it. Reality TV is the lowest form of programming there is. From Survivor, to Surreal Life, to Nanny 911, to Laguna Beach, none of it is real or what should even be considered reality.
My advice is to pop this proverbial zit and experience reality the way it was meant; by turning off the TV, and living it.
Volume 43, Issue 5. Today is
