Reality competition shows are filled with people who wish to get away from their life or to create a new one. When people audition for shows such as American Idol, America’s Got Talent, or Survivor, they have to take hours and even days away from their lives to be able to be given just the slight chance to actually be on whichever show they audition for. By doing so, these people must take a break from their own reality in order to be given this chance. This is only the beginning of the escape. If someone actually makes it onto one of these shows, then they spend countless hours away from their own reality to create the reality that producers wish.
Some competition shows like Survivor require no specific talents, anybody can be on it. When on Survivor, contestants are stranded on an island and try to win a million dollars by not being voted off. The contestants are given two opportunities to change their lives, either they are just getting away from their lives by being stranded on a beach or they win the million dollars. Other reality shows, such as American Idol require the ability to sing well. Contestants can get away from their lives simply by being on the show. Even though they are not on some distant island, they are not at their homes, therefore, the contestants are given the chance to have a new life.
When people audition for the shows, they immediately take time away from their lives even though it may just be a few hours or a few days. As they get further into the competition, more and more time is taken away from them and soon they will eventually be living a reality that is not theirs and that is not genuine to them. It is not genuine because all of the other contestants on the show are most likely living the exact same or very similar reality. I’m sure many people will argue about whether or not reality shows are really reality, but that’s a whole different topic.
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It's an interesting point that you bring up. Not only are the viewers using escapism by watching but the participants are as well. I agree with the argument you present and with your evidence about location and time spent while being apart of one of these reality tv shows, but what I would like to know is why. Why is it, do you think, that people choose to participate when they could easily watch and receive the same effect? I know what I think. I think the prize incentive, a promise of permanent escapism from their world, is the answer and you might agree. If you incorporated what you think into your argument by giving the participants a reason, I think your argument would be significantly stronger.
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