The Impression That It Leaves On People
Introduction
Reality television is a growing genre of television programming that generally does not employ traditional actors or follow a conventional script but instead captures events involving real people in situations created for them, such as a singing competition, a survival campaign on a remote island, a bridal-dressing show, or living in a house while being constantly watched by the public and recorded on camera (Brown).
Reality TV shows often require fewer actors, writers, directors, and other production expenses than traditional television shows, which can make them relatively affordable because they may require only a group of people from the general public, a producer, and a good editor. Therefore, the genre has become very popular, and hundreds of shows have been created on different topics. The genre has also gained the attention of audiences because of its perceived relatability to real people in real-life situations (Kearney, Melissa S., and Phillip B. Levine 3597-3632).
Kim Kardashian calls her “glam squad” to prepare for her delivery and make sure her hair and makeup look perfect when she gives birth, instead of focusing only on arranging a room and the best healthcare services. This behavior is tagged as “typical Kim” by her family, showing her priorities. On the other hand, “real” housewives shows portray the socialites of Beverly Hills in designer clothes, drinking and using inappropriate language to bring each other down.
Reality TV, celebrity scandals, and updates have become a part of our lives. We know more about Kylie Jenner’s new selfie and the likes it received than we know about the way climate change and global warming are affecting different parts of the world. There is often little that is truly spontaneous about reality TV shows; instead, the genre can create a façade that captivates viewers and produces unrealistic expectations of life.
Problems
Objectifying Women
Many reality TV programs portray women as sex objects and create unrealistic beauty standards that idealize thinness. Young teenage girls who watch these shows with great interest may be taught that a woman’s value lies in her looks and beauty rather than her personality and achievements.
Reality TV shows that encourage competition for the best body and appearance among young women, such as America’s Next Top Model, can depict women’s beauty and looks as the central purpose of their success. This can encourage young girls to follow unhealthy diets that damage their development and put them at risk of serious diseases (Tsay-Vogel, Mina, and K. Maja Krakowiak 348).
Moreover, the rise of plastic surgery is related in part to new trends in appearance, such as enhanced lips, smaller waists, and high cheekbones. This is encouraged by reality TV shows such as Botched and The Swan, where people artificially alter their natural features to become more satisfied with the way they look. These surgeries can lead to permanent injuries or even prove fatal, while individuals may spend thousands of dollars on them (Shin, Dong-Hee 140-159).
In Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Real Housewives, celebrities talk openly about their plastic surgeries and the thousands of dollars they spent while putting themselves at risk to alter their natural appearances. Such portrayals can highlight the insecurities of women who feel that they do not meet the beauty standards set by reality celebrities.
Additionally, these shows may sexualize women and their bodies through overly revealing clothes and inappropriate behavior, which can affect the perceptions of young women who follow these stars on social media and see them as idols (Brown).
Some reality TV stars become celebrities without being known for conventional talents that could set a constructive example for young girls to follow their dreams. This can make viewers think that success in life lies primarily in appearance rather than hard work and meaningful achievements.
Women are sometimes depicted as negative people who gossip about one another and bring down other women because of their looks or cultural backgrounds in order to feel better about themselves. Children, teenage girls, and adults who repeatedly see such depictions of women may be encouraged to view similar patterns of behavior as acceptable in the modern world.
Materialism
Reality television programs have perpetuated materialism, excessive partying, and the idolization of celebrity lifestyles. Shows such as Rich Kids of Beverly Hills highlight the extravagant lives of privileged children of wealthy parents. These young adults are shown partying excessively, wearing designer clothes, and spending large amounts of their parents’ money on expensive trips, parties, and material possessions (Scarborough, Roscoe C., and Charles Allan McCoy 164-191).
These individuals may not be relatable to the general public, but they can create a sense of fantasy, unrealistic expectations of life, and excessive demands on parents. This may contribute to depression among teenagers when their lives do not meet the standards they see on reality television and the social-media accounts of celebrities (Brown).
Additionally, reality TV stars on shows such as Jersey Shore spend summers in luxurious hotels and exotic locations, spending thousands of dollars, while also being shown engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior, abuse, or aggressive behavior that can lead to arrest. Such actions may be presented in ways that make them appear normal or acceptable to some younger viewers.
Unrealistic expectations of life and the desire for an extravagant celebrity lifestyle can encourage some young people to engage in harmful behavior when their wants cannot be fulfilled by their parents or current financial situations. The movie Bling Ring, released in 2013, was based on real events in which young adults robbed famous and wealthy celebrities so that they could experience similar luxuries and meet their desired standards of living.
Children, teenagers, and young adults may idolize celebrity lifestyles built around expensive possessions and excessive partying without considering employment or other responsibilities.
Aggression And Bullying
Aggression, verbal and sometimes physical abuse, gossip, and bullying are frequently part of the conflicts shown in reality TV. Many of these programs promote interpersonal drama, aggressive behavior, and bullying as ways for participants to feel better about themselves. Real Housewives, for example, portrays women backstabbing one another, plotting against competitors, gossiping, and making hurtful remarks.
Young girls and boys who see reality TV celebrities displaying this kind of aggressive and immoral behavior may come to view bullying and negative attitudes toward others as trendy or normal. Some viewers may then imitate similar attitudes in their daily lives.
When reality TV shows and the social-media profiles of reality celebrities depict aggression, bullying, abusive language, and unethical behavior as normal human traits, young adults may accept these behaviors as reasonable and reproduce them in their social circles, contributing to negativity, anxiety, depression, and potentially harmful conduct.
Behaviors such as drug use, shoplifting, robbery, stealing from wealthy friends and celebrities, bullying, and physical abuse may be normalized when young individuals repeatedly see misconduct presented as ordinary entertainment.
Lack Of Focus On The Importance Of Intelligence
Moreover, some reality celebrities set poor examples for children. They may become famous for controversial behavior, such as nudity, drunk driving, stripping, other offences, or simply being wealthy without recognized personal talents. This can make young girls and boys believe that they do not have to work hard, perform well academically, or focus on education and personal development in order to achieve success, wealth, and fame.
Intelligence, personal talents, and positive qualities are sometimes given less attention in reality TV shows than immoral or unethical behavior, including constant gossiping and extravagant spending financed by parents or celebrity status and publicity.
Working Thesis
Reality television has become a significant part of the media, as have reality TV celebrities who may possess little conventional talent and are sometimes famous for controversial reasons. Some viewers can differentiate between “real” and constructed reality; however, many viewers, specifically younger people, may believe in the unrealistic standards set by these shows. These standards can affect lifestyles and expectations of parents, contribute to depression, and encourage violent behavior or abusive language.
Body
Reality TV And The Transformation Of Television Culture
Television programs showing ordinary people in real-life, unscripted situations have existed since the early development of television. Candid Camera and Queen for a Day are early examples of programs based on real people in real-life situations. Moreover, This Is Your Life, which aired on television in the 1950s, was based on a person’s real life and involved real people instead of actors following a script. The concept is similar in some respects to modern-day reality TV shows such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
In 1948, “The Original Amateur Hour” was introduced to television audiences and promoted competition among talented individuals who showed their skills on stage and were judged, scored, and rewarded. This concept is used today by many programs such as America’s Got Talent, American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, and others in the same genre.
Another example of an earlier reality television show from the 1950s is Queen for a Day. The concept was to encourage women who struggled with household responsibilities and other difficulties to feel better about themselves and be treated specially for a day, providing positive energy in their lives while viewers hoped for similar experiences.
More recently, aspects of this reality-TV format have been adapted by shows such as 10 Years Younger and A Makeover Story, which involve transforming the lives of women who may have neglected self-care while providing for their families and raising children.
Other types of reality television programs involved practical jokes performed on real people to record candid reactions. These programs became popular among viewers who preferred relatable comedy.
Another form of reality TV emerged through game shows that offered large rewards to ordinary people, creating an exciting experience for contestants and audiences. During the 1970s, dating game shows also became popular because of their unscripted and unpredictable interactions.
After the groundbreaking release of An American Family, the 1970s changed the concept of reality TV by showing the lives of a real family and openly addressing marital issues and the homosexuality of one of the children. Some people consider it the first reality television show because of the raw content shown in the program.
The Popularity Of Reality TV
Reality television became one of the most popular genres of television programming among audiences of all ages, partly because of the perceived relatability of its content. Scripted shows also highlight real-life issues that are not very different from everyday struggles, personal problems, and feelings. However, because scripted shows often revolve around fictional or idealized situations, some viewers perceive reality programming as more relatable (Ouellette, Laurie n.p).
Reality television depicting apparently real-life situations involving ordinary people rapidly gained immense popularity because of its raw and relatable presentation. Audiences believed that they could build a connection with the people shown in these programs. Such shows gave some viewers hope that they might end up on a game show and earn a fortune, find a dream partner, or live a lifestyle similar to those shown on television.
Moreover, the problems of people shown in reality TV may resemble those faced by members of the audience, making viewers more interested in contestants’ lives, issues, behaviors, flaws, and mistakes.
Additionally, reality TV can be thrilling and exciting for audiences, contestants, and producers because the shows appear unscripted and depend heavily on cliffhangers and unpredictable events. Shows such as Survivor create competition among contestants performing different tasks that audiences find exciting while supporting their favorite participants. Some programs also give viewers a degree of control over who wins through voting.
Furthermore, according to a survey discussed by Psychology Today, many people watched reality television partly because their friends discussed the programs. Popular television shows are often followed by others so that they do not feel socially excluded (“Why America Loves Reality TV”).
On the other hand, a CBS News discussion suggested that reality TV creates a combination of reality and fantasy. This can become an exciting experience for audiences because they can imagine similar events happening to them (Why Do We Tune In To Reality TV? – CBS News).
The increasing popularity of these shows and the high demand for new episodes and seasons have drawn more people into this form of television programming. Reality TV can provide a continuing source of content because the lives of participants do not necessarily have the defined endings of scripted stories, which can keep audiences engaged.
Reality TV Celebrities
Contestants who take part in reality TV shows and celebrities who gain immense popularity through shows such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Shahs of Sunset have achieved considerable wealth through their fame. They have secured large contracts and become ambassadors for major brands, earning millions of dollars. At the same time, their social-media followings have generated additional wealth.
The Effects Of Reality TV On Children
In recent years, reality TV has gained popularity among younger viewers, including children. Reality TV can give the impression that whatever occurs on screen is “real” and normal in daily life. Although many mature viewers can differentiate between real life and the constructed reality of these shows, younger viewers may have more difficulty doing so and may believe what they see on television (Scharrer, Erica, and Greg Blackburn n.p).
The values and behaviors shown in some reality TV programs can negatively influence social values. Young children who look up to celebrities may come to believe that aggressive or immoral behavior is normal and acceptable.
It is therefore important to acknowledge that media can significantly influence the population, particularly young adults and children who may be less able to differentiate between constructive and harmful behavior.
On the other hand, some reality TV programs promote young talent, such as America’s Got Talent and other singing, dancing, and knowledge-based game shows. They encourage children to focus on personal skills and talents in order to achieve success similar to that of contestants. These shows can provide a platform for young people to showcase intelligence, talents, and skills.
Nevertheless, many other programs present aggressive behavior, bullying, abusive language, and other harmful conduct as ordinary ways of treating one another. This can hurt children’s self-esteem and contribute to depression and anxiety. At the same time, reality TV celebrities can create unrealistic standards of beauty and wealth that are difficult for young adults and teenagers to match, which may contribute to depression, violent attitudes, or harmful behavior (Greenfield, Patricia M).
The Story Behind The Scenes
Many reality television programs are not entirely spontaneous or “real.” Some scenes are planned or shaped by producers, who know what kinds of situations they want to create in order to increase ratings. The wealth shown on these programs may also be supported by companies that want to promote products.
Children and young adults who see celebrity lifestyles as an ultimate goal may not realize that shows can be financed by companies seeking to display extravagant trips, designer clothes, and brands to attract viewers (Grindstaff, Laura, and Susan Murray 109-135).
Emotional stunts, fights, and other behaviors shown by contestants may be encouraged because they attract audiences. Producers understand which kinds of incidents are likely to increase ratings and trigger audience reactions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, many reality television shows can have a negative impact on people who watch them and, most importantly, believe that they represent ordinary life. Young adults who idealize celebrity lifestyles may be influenced by harmful or immoral behavior shown in these programs.
Many reality shows imply that a woman’s value lies in her appearance and set unrealistic beauty standards that can stigmatize other body types and heighten insecurities. Reality TV also frequently presents materialism, excessive partying, and a “celebrity lifestyle” that can create unrealistic impressions for young girls and boys. Programs labelled as “reality” may show negative and aggressive behavior without strongly condemning it. Bullying and aggression are also common features of some reality celebrities’ lives, potentially encouraging bullying, gossip, and aggressive behavior among younger viewers.
Hence, it is crucial to recognize the significant influence of media on adults, young people, and children. The number of these shows cannot easily be limited, but parents can limit what their children watch, and individuals can choose to avoid highly negative content.
Although television has improved over time, technology has created valuable new opportunities, and reality television can provide platforms for struggling actors, singers, dancers, and other talented people, the harmful behavior portrayed in some shows remains a matter of concern.
Works Cited
Brown, James A. “Media literacy perspectives.” Journal of Communication 48.1 (1998): 44-57.
Greenfield, Patricia M. Mind, and media: The effects of television, video games, and computers. Psychology Press, 2014.
Grindstaff, Laura, and Susan Murray. “Reality celebrity: Branded affect and the emotion economy.” Public Culture 27.1 (75) (2015): 109-135.
Kearney, Melissa S., and Phillip B. Levine. “Media influences on social outcomes: The impact of MTV’s 16 and pregnant on teen childbearing.” American Economic Review 105.12 (2015): 3597-3632.
Ouellette, Laurie. A companion to reality television. John Wiley & Sons, 2016.
Scarborough, Roscoe C., and Charles Allan McCoy. “Moral reactions to reality TV: Television viewers’ endogenous and exogenous loci of morality.” Journal of Consumer Culture 16.1 (2016): 164-191.
Scharrer, Erica, and Greg Blackburn. “Is Reality TV a Bad Girls Club? Television Use, Docusoap Reality Television Viewing, and the Cultivation of the Approval of Aggression.” Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly (2017): 1077699017706482.
Shin, Dong-Hee. “Do users experience real sociability through social TV? Analyzing parasocial behavior in relation to social TV.” Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media 60.1 (2016): 140-159.
Tsay-Vogel, Mina, and K. Maja Krakowiak. “Exploring viewers’ responses to nine reality TV subgenres.” Psychology of Popular Media Culture 6.4 (2017): 348.
“Why America Loves Reality TV.” Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200109/why-america-loves-reality-tv.
Why Do We Tune In To Reality TV? – CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-do-we-tune-in-to-reality-tv/. Accessed 10 Mar. 2018.
Brown, James A. “Media Literacy Perspectives.” Journal of Communication, vol. 48, no. 1, 1998, pp. 44–57.
Cole, Ellen Ed, and Jessica Henderson Ed Daniel. Featuring Females: Feminist Analyses of Media. American Psychological Association, 2005.
Gitlin, Todd. The Whole World Is Watching: Mass Media in the Making and Unmaking of the New Left. Univ of California Press, 2003.
Hobbs, Renee, and Amy Jensen. “The Past, Present, and Future of Media Literacy Education.” Journal of Media Literacy Education, vol. 1, no. 1, Sept. 2013, https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/jmle/vol1/iss1/1.
Rose, Randall L., and Stacy L. Wood. “Paradox and the Consumption of Authenticity through Reality Television.” Journal of Consumer Research, vol. 32, no. 2, 2005, pp. 284–96.
Sharma, Hemant Lata, and Sanjeev Tomar. “Cumulative Effects of TV Viewing on the Adjustment of Adolescents in Relation to Their Academic Performance.” Journal of Behavioural Sciences, vol. 20, no. 1, 2010, p. 17.
Shoshana, Avihu. “Ethno‐Class Distinctions and Reality (TV).” Sociological Forum, vol. 31, Wiley Online Library, 2016, pp. 53–71.
Soroka, Stuart N. “Media, Public Opinion, and Foreign Policy.” Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics, vol. 8, no. 1, 2003, pp. 27–48.
Sperry, Steffanie, et al. “Cosmetic Surgery Reality TV Viewership: Relations with Cosmetic Surgery Attitudes, Body Image, and Disordered Eating.” Annals of Plastic Surgery, vol. 62, no. 1, 2009, pp. 7–11.
Wood, Helen, and Beverley Skeggs. Reality Television and Class. Palgrave, 2011.
Academic Master Education Team is a group of academic editors and subject specialists responsible for producing structured, research-backed essays across multiple disciplines. Each article is developed following Academic Master’s Editorial Policy and supported by credible academic references. The team ensures clarity, citation accuracy, and adherence to ethical academic writing standards
Content reviewed under Academic Master Editorial Policy.
