The Problem with Reality Shows

Ah, reality shows. I don't know most of you, and my surprise is beginning to dwindle at that fact. There are reality shows about everything and everyone these days. It seems everyone can be, or has been, famous. There once was a time when reality shows were novel, and they were kinda cool because if nothing else you got to watch them (or hear about them) and then feel immensely better about yourself and your life because, hey, at least you don't act like/ have the problems of that loser.

But then.

Reality shows have officially taken off. And let's be honest with yourself, Kati, this probably happened years ago while you were busy noticing other things. But right now, you're noticing reality shows and a terrible thought has struck you. You know the problem with reality shows, me. Oh, you know.

Back in the day, there was a smug feeling you got when comparing yourself to these nouveau riche, I mean 'nouveau famous' people. We as Americans sat back and watched these reality show "stars" with high levels of satisfaction, coupled with low levels of embarrassment that, because these guys are on TV and we're not, THESE GUYS are part of the standard by which the rest of the world views us, and not us.

The Problem, Part I is that back then there was this WHOLE OTHER section of America watching the same shows and thinking, Ah, here's my chance. This whole other section of America went right out and got their own show, leading us to

The Problem, Part II. Back in the day reality shows were full of young, poor-ish, drunk 20 somethings acting like damn fools for various reasons. These days, reality shows are full of everyone-- rich, poor, posh, gansta, all genres of "stars", all backgrounds, all motives, all styles, all ages. Reality shows these days actually do represent a pretty fair cross section of America. This is a problem, and I'll tell you why.

Marketing. Advertisements, television, movies, media in general. They have a long history in this country of simulating reality in such a way as to usurp what is real and what is good with something that seems like it's real and good but is slightly cooler and also makes some people a lot of money. These media are part of our culture, and they guide is in what we want/buy/do.

Enter into this cultural norm Reality Shows, in which so much of America is very nearly represented. The difference between them and us is that on Reality TV the goal is to be as outlandish, loud, attention-drawing, trashy, and self-involved as possible so that everyone is looking directly at you all the time. Reality TV is a warped version of real reality. Unfortunately, because it so nearly represents so many of us, Reality TV has become normalized. People begin to think that in real reality, they're supposed to act like they do in Reality Shows.

It's not quite so standard to sit back and watch, all smug and embarrassed. Instead we look to Reality Shows the way we look to the rest of the marketing machine to find out what we ought to do and think and buy.

Personally, I'm hoping that in a few weeks, I'll stop feeling so shocked and sad and bitter at this normalizing effect of reality shows on real people. I'm hoping I'll forget how many, many reality shows there are because they will no longer be nearly representing pieces of my world. I'm hoping that I'll find myself less focused on people who want a piece of that action, and refocused on people who bask in smugness and embarrassment.

You know. Real people.