Reality TV

Beauty and the Geek

2008-11-30T17:05:00.000-08:00

The American people are known to other countries as being materialistic and stuck up. There are even reality shows that prove this point. One example is Beauty and the Geek. The very first season was a big surprise to all of the contestants. The “beauties” were all women who were superficial and who believed that they were meeting handsome men. The “geeks” were true life geeks who hadn’t dated very much in their lives. Neither the beauties nor the geeks knew what they were in for. The show had many different competitions where the beauties would learn things that all the geeks would know and the geeks would learn things that the beauties would know.

Throughout each season of the show, it would show how superficial the beauties were. It allowed the women to perform different tasks, which would make them seem even worse. I know that everyone in America isn’t perfect and everybody has their flaws. I also believe that this show is a good way to give these people a chance to change. Not all, but most of the contestants of this show go home with a new sense of the world. It gives people the chance to be new people. Even though I disagree with how the show started, how they lied, but the show does give people a new chance. And I think that everyone deserves another chance.

ABC vs. VH1

2008-11-30T14:17:00.000-08:00

Over the years that reality tv has been popular, the shows have appeared on many different networks. Some networks are clearly more popular than others, these being ABC and NBC. The shows on these networks have been viewed as more classy, whereas some of the reality shows on VH1 are trashy. Even though these shows have the same concepts, other network’s shows are clearly more popular.

ABC and NBC carry shows such as The Bachelor, where VH1 carries shows such as Flavor of Love. The ratings for The Bachelor are much higher than those of Flavor of Love. But why so much popular? The Bachelor is an older show, which could account for its popularity. But I don’t think that’s the main reason. The Bachelor consists of the bachelor going on group dates and single dates to try and find true love. Different from The Bachelor, Flavor of Love consists of girls trying to fight and win mini-competitions in order to spend time with Flava Flav. Both of these shows are meant to find love, however, they do it in completely different fashions.

One major difference that always sticks out in my mind is in one season of Flavor of Love. Two of the contestants got into an argument and it resulted with one of the women spitting on the other. This has never happened on The Bachelor and I'm sure it never will. I didn't see the argument first hand, but I have seen clips and I thought it was disgusting. This is distinguishing difference between the two shows, which I think shows how one may be more classy and the other trashy.

American Idol

2008-11-30T12:49:00.001-08:00

Now the shift will now be made to specific reality tv shows that I feel have been a major influence on all of television. The best example is definitely American Idol. Over the past few years, millions of people have tuned in to this single show, but why? Is it for the concept, the contestants, or the judges? Some people love it all. My roommate is looking forward to the date in January when American Idol will return and she can watch three days a week for the entire season. Diehard fans, like my roommate, enjoy every aspect of the show. However, I believe that the most popular part of the show would be the tryouts.

Many families, including mine, watch the tryouts to get a good laugh out of the contestants. Some contestants tryout and have amazing voices, but others not so much. The latter contestants make fools of themselves and the judges aren’t afraid to tell them so. But why do the families like watching it so much? Are the American people only interested in when others mess up? One reason that people may find this more enjoyable is because that they are interested in other people’s failures rather than their own. People get to escape from their own lives, whether they are happy or sad, it gives them a break.

It’s crazy to think that something as simple as American Idol will allow people to feel happy and worry free for a few hours a week. The American people have so many things to worry about, especially now with the current economic state, that they need those few hours to relax. American Idol may be one of the most popular shows on tv right now, but for reasons that some might not realize.

Makeover Reality Shows

2008-11-09T17:23:00.000-08:00

I think that the why people go onto makeover reality shows are more obvious than other types of reality shows. Clearly, people want a fresh start by either getting a new house or even a new face. There are two different types of makeover shows, either the extreme change or only the slight change. The two main extreme shows that come to mind are Extreme Makeover and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. All of the changes on both of these shows are very extreme. In shows with only slight change, such as What Not To Wear and Trading Spaces, the changes consist of a change in wardrobe or a change in one room of their house. Which is nothing compared to getting plastic surgery or tearing your house down in order to build another.

I think that the appeal Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is obvious. If you were living in a cramped, damaged home, wouldn’t you want to change it? You would say yes especially if the change was a magnificent new home. On the other hand, why would you want to get an extreme makeover when it would be on television and millions of people would see you in a vulnerable state? For some people, the costs would definitely be an issue and having the show take care of the costs would have its perks. But is there something more? These people who want extreme makeovers are probably so unhappy with themselves that they don’t care what they have to do in order to achieve drastic changes. Some of the other shows that have simple changes do not require the contestant to be exposed and vulnerable. Yet, there still may be a hint of vulnerability depending on whether the contestant is so embarrassed by their wardrobe.

One major fact that I left out was that Extreme Makeover is not airing anymore. What do you think the reason to this is? I believe that at the beginning it had a good concept: to give people who are unable to afford it, a new makeover. However, there are many things that would hold this show back. One of these reasons would be the danger in surgery. No matter if it is a standard procedure, surgery always has its risks, and a producer can’t really show complications or even a death from the surgery. Another issue, I would think, would probably be the costs to the show. They would be the one footing the bill and it may not have had enough success .

Reality Competition Shows.. Again

2008-09-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

So last week I talked about reality competition shows and why people are attracted to them, but now I want to talk about these shows in a different aspect. Last Sunday night, the 60th Primetime Emmys aired. The show contained, as always, the beautiful gowns and tuxedos, the fabulous actors and actresses, and of course, the most prized awards. However, there was a difference in the show because there was a new category: Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Show. In honor of the new category, the five nominees were also the host for the evening. But is it necessary for hosts of reality television to be in the ranks with some of the most well respected television actors?

For many people, reality television is viewed as dumb or unnecessary, but it can’t be completely dumb if the shows are getting nominated for Emmys. However, the new category does not even deal with the show; it is concerned with the host. I feel that the host does not have that hard of a job to do, all they have to do is read from a card or remember what they have to say. I personally do not believe that simply doing that is Emmy worthy, but hey, I’m not in charge and have no say in the matter whatsoever. With that being said, there is a category based on the actual reality show, which I do believe is Emmy worthy because the show has to have a good concept and not just be something worthless.

Reality Competition Shows

2008-09-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

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.

Finding True Love Reality TV

2008-09-14T12:50:00.000-07:00

There have been many attempts by reality shows to help people find their true love. Throughout the many seasons of The Bachelor, Rock of Love and A Shot At Love With Tila Tequila, I am almost positive that there is only one couple who actually got married and who is still together to this very day, which would be Ryan and Trista from The Bachelorette. At the rise of reality television, some of these shows genuinely wanted people to find their soul mates, however today it seems that the purpose is more for entertainment. Do the viewers watch for the thought of someone finding love or for the entertainment value?

The Bachelor and The Bachelorette were some of the first reality shows where people were looking for love. The basis of it was that one guy or girl would have a choice of about 12 prospects and each week they would cut one or more of the hopeful men or women. Today, the same type of reality show contains ridiculous contests in order for the hopefuls to spend more time with the one they are going after.

I have never met anybody who has been on a ‘find true love’ reality show, nor any reality show for that matter. However, I will admit that I have watched at least one season of each of these shows. From the looks of it, these reality shows seem to be more focused on getting attention rather than actually finding someone to spend the rest of your life with. During the Bachelor, all the hopefuls would dream of getting engaged at the end of the season, but with a show like Tila Tequila, the hopefuls aren’t even sure if they are going to be in a relationship with the infamous Tila. This just proves that the contestants today would rather focus on getting all the attention rather than actually finding true love.

'Looking for Love' Reality Shows

2008-09-12T12:53:00.000-07:00

All young girls dream of finding true love and having their fairytale wedding. This dream is alive for adults as well. In order to make this dream come true, some will go to the extent of registering on a website or even participating on a reality show. Some of these shows are The Bachelor or Bachelorette, A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila or Rock of Love. All of these shows have different methods to finding love, but all of the contestants have the same goal: to find love.

Now I could personally never be on these shows, but some of the men and women seem perfectly fine with it and are even enthusiastic. I would especially not do it if I were in my twenties because I would still have so much life to live that I’d never know who I would meet. I feel like for me personally, a reality show would be a last resort. And for the record, I am in no way trying to bash those who do this, I just feel that it wouldn’t be for me. But are the contestants on these shows natural or influenced by the producers?

I know it would have to take a specific personality to actually be on the show because producers want to get as much out of the contestants in order to attract viewers. This is definitely seen in shows such as Flavor of Love because it is more likely for the contestants to argue which in turn makes good television. So I believe that these shows may have the same goal of finding love, but the real goal is to ultimately make good television.

Imitation

2008-09-12T10:46:00.000-07:00

“This is the true story of seven strangers picked to live in a house and have their lives taped. Find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real. The Real World.” For anybody familiar with MTV, these are the infamous opening lives of the reality T.V. show, The Real World. It all started in 1992 with a cast of three girls and four guys living in a trendy loft in New York City. Since then there have been twenty one seasons of The Real World that have taken place all over the world. This show has had many classic seasons as well as infamous characters.

This opening season of The Real World led to many crazy cast members and even crazier moments. It has allowed the show to expand not only all over the United States, but to France as well as Australia. There have been many memorable fights and hookups that even led to a Real World Awards Show, which consisted of awards such as ‘The Best Fight’ and ‘The Best Hookup Scene.’ Even once their season is over, cast members still have a chance to be a part of the Real World by participating in The Challenges. No matter how ridiculous the fights are, people have continued to watch The Real World over the past decade.

Reality shows have grown from unknowns living together to celebrities living their normal lives to celebrities competing on dance shows. The Real World has opened the doors for many other types of reality shows and even different branches of its own show. With its dozens of seasons, the Real World has definitely lived up to being the optimal reality T.V. show.

Imitated from Marcus Lindroos

Celebrity Reality Shows

2008-09-04T18:15:00.000-07:00

The Hills, The Bachelor, American Idol, and Dancing with the Stars: everybody has heard of these shows, but why are they so popular? Reality television has had an immense increase in the past decade. There are many different types of reality shows from becoming a star on Broadway to finding true love. All different types of reality shows are popular for different reasons. But why are the celebrity filled shows are so popular?

In the last few years, many celebrities have been doing their own reality shows or participating in them. People, young and old, male and female, all tune in on whatever night to watch his or her favorite celebrities being real. These types of shows have what people want in their lives. Whether it is to view how celebrities live in their huge houses or how they get special treatment wherever they may go, the people who watch these shows are doing so because they want a half an hour or whole hour to escape from their own lives.

Every Monday night at ten o’clock, my roommate and I turn it to MTV in order to catch all of the drama with Lauren and Audrina on The Hills. We watch closely to their handsome boyfriends, their gorgeous clothes, and their fascinating jobs. All the meanwhile, we wonder aloud about what it would be like if our own lives were that way. It’s always nice to take a break from the constant homework and just be able to put my thoughts into somebody else’s life instead of my own.

Along with The Hills, Denise Richards: It’s Complicated, The Real Housewives of Orange County and Pamela Anderson: Girl on the Loose are all shows that allow viewers into the life of wealthy women all over the country. Just like my roommate and I, I’m sure there are many other viewers who wish to escape their lives for a few minutes and enter the glamorous lives of celebrities.