Skip to main content

The Pondering 10 - Reasons To Dislike Reality Television

Since the invention of television, the little tube box, now a slimmer box, that sits as the center piece of our living rooms have produced many years of entertainment. As the years have gone on, we've seen various fads and genre's of programming such as talk shows, sitcoms, drama series and games shows, thus creating various types of entertainment, and many options. With the average household having at least one television and 150 channels, our society is more in tune with everything going on around them along with the need to look in on the lives of others, the current trend in television is that of reality television. And while reality TV has developed some pretty amazing concepts (Survivor, Amazing Race, American Idol, and Ultimate Fighter), the concept has done more damage to our society than any other type of television genre. Heck, I'll be honest, I loathe most of reality television. In the following Pondering 10, we'll take a look at the top ten reasons why others that share my view dislike the reality television concept.



10. Feeds Tabloids - As if TMZ didn't have enough dirt to stalk, search, or make-up about others, reality television has fed the gossip beast by making more people "relevant" (and I use that loosely), and by continuing the vicious cycle of promoting tabloids, yellow journalism, and downright head scratching news. 


9. False Pretense of Being Real - I don't mind the reality shows that have a real concept with a real premise such as Kitchen Nightmares or even a program of For Rent on HGTV. Practical. Believable. Relateable. Real. However, shows such The Bad Girls Club and Rock of Love are ones that are cheap imitations of real life. No one acts "real" knowing they're actions will soon be on television. No one is normal with cameras constantly in their face. What has solidified this aspect for me is actually working with and permitting film companies who are looking to shoot reality shows in New York City. You would not believe how many scripts and planning goes into a scene. Reality? Yah, right.

 

8. Jumping The Shark - Often, critics will critique a show when it "jumps the shark", and for those of you unfamiliar with the term, is describes a moment in the evolution of a television show when it begins a decline in quality that is beyond recovery. Essentially, reality shows such as The Bachelor jumps  the shark on the very first episode! Anyone remember The Real Giligan's Island!? Way over the top. Sometimes, less is more. 


7. Ruins Our Perception of Life - I get that everyone wants to be entertained, but when these shows change the way we think or influence our society, it is cause for alarm. Jersey Shore anyone? Never in a million years would I have thought that a group pretending to have stereotypical Italian characteristics that disgustingly sleep around and say lines like "T-shirt time" be celebrated. When did this become acceptable? And why? Sadly, we believe there are people out there really behaving this way, and such, it is finally accepted and becomes normal. Somehow, humiliation, melodrama, and conflict are no longer realms of conflict and ethics, but a desensitization and departure from all values.


6. National Industry Pandemic - Take reasons 7-10 and realize that this is pretty much prevalent in the entertainment industry. Reality shows are everywhere due to easy budgeting costs on building sets, hiring trained actors, and having to creatively write. It saves a lot of time, money, and yes, effort. Welcome to the new America. Everyone has a reality show, and everyone watches a reality show. What happened to wanting to be taken away from reality when entertained?


5. Pointless - This is easy. We all know how brainless some reality television shows are, and honestly, I can see the attraction to such television. Sometimes we need to just be entertained without having the brain power light on. But come on, Real Housewives of (pick any city). Pointless! And very mind-numbing.


4. Inflates Society Narcissism - Why is it we never ask why people choose to have their own reality show? Are you that jaded about how much everyone loves you, or do you just love you that much? Either way, as Americans, if our ego and confidence haven't been grossly annoying already, we have developed a culture where we believe everyone in America wants to see our lives every week. 


3. Erases Art Forms - I urge everyone to ask any training or experienced actor about their feelings on reality television. Go ahead, I dare you. I've done it, and it isn't pretty. Expect a long explanation of "erasing the art form". With less and less opportunities for actors, the art form of actually acting and performing is dying. What's even worse, is the decreasing need for creative writers in the industry. As a lover of creative writing, and well, writing in general, that just downright annoys me.


2. Making Celebrities Out of Nobodies - Snooki? "The Situation"? "Rob Kardashian? Who were these people before their respective shows. Now, they are amongst the faces and names of whose who in America. Yet, please, someone, anyone, tell me why they deserve celebrity status? What are their true talents? Still waiting...


1. Cancels Good Television - As mentioned in #3, good television shows are moving to the wayside as the general public moves toward reality television. It amazes me how networks, like NBC for example, can pick up shows like Betty White's Off Their Rocker, a failed rip-off of American Idol in The Voice, Who Wants To Marry My Dad, and I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Outta Here, yet, not even promote and eventually force the cancellation of what is finally being realized industry-wide as one of the greatest television shows of our time in Friday Night Lights. Yes, I'm bitter. You damn right I'm still bitter! It drives me crazy when I see commercials for these insane concepts, yet, my guys from Dillon, Texas were forced off.

Ok, I'm calm...

Nonetheless, it seems the age of shows such as The Wonder Years, The Cosby Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Seinfeld are no longer. And that is a shame. A crying shame. And that, is reality.


Recent Favorites

WWE Survivor Series 2023 Review: "Whaddya Wanna Talk About?"

Well, following that premium live event, in the words of Cody Rhodes... "whaddya wanna talk about?"  The obvious is there, right? CM Punk, somehow, makes a bid for another moment-of-the-year candidate for wrestling fans with another "return" - his second over the last four years. This one, back to the WWE, in what felt like the most improbable of opportunities. But as we've learned, WWE truly is where you "never say never".  You can go in so many directions on this one. But without going too far down a road that hasn't developed or we have some headlights on, it's quite clear that WWE is absolutely crushing the wrestling business right now, and adding anything - or anyone - to that continued record success is the mission. They. Are. Not. Settled.  Second, the unveil I thought was great. Just absolute pro wrestling at its peak. As soon as the guitar riff to "Cult of Personality" hit and the familiar graphics hit the screens, my immedia

Quick Ponder: Gratitude

  My sense of gratitude explodes within my heart when I cease expressing it through the tangible, but rather through, time and moments.  Happy Thanksgiving, all. 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 11/26/23

3 Up 1. Hostages Released - It might not be an overwhelming consensus - as this topic is so polarizing that I doubt we come to such agreements. Regardless, having innocent individuals released is a plus in the situation. I wish we still didn't have innocent people dying, but that's a whole other topic.  1a. Cease Fire - Who knows how long this will last. But the fact there is an agreement in place while hostages are being released is a plus. Take it.  2. Thanksgiving - The older I get, the more this day has a deeper focus and a sense of gratitude. Please take a moment today to focus on that among all of the chaos of food, family, friends, and everything else.  3. CM Punk Return - How cool was that? CM Punk returns to the WWE at the Survivor Series. Never say never in that company.  3 Down 1. NBA Ethics Optics - From Miles Bridges to Josh Giddey, its been really difficult lately to trust the NBA's moral compass. I'm not throwing them under the bus as they've done the