Reality TV: America now watches reality TV and admits it
When the first Reality Television Shows like Survivor, American Idol and Big Brother aired, viewers didn’t know what to make of them and were very critical of the contestants. They thought, who would want to be stranded on an island with no food or water and be eaten alive by mosquitoes? And after enduring that torture, there was the possibility of being ostracized during a ritual called tribal council.
America saw millions of people waiting in long lines in rainy, snowy, and cold conditions for a chance to audition for a singing contest called American Idol. Their challenge would be a man named Simon Cowell who would eat them alive like the mosquitoes in Survivor if they didn’t live up to his expectations.
It would soon follow America’s Next Top Model, which highlights beautiful young women who dream of being models. They spend exhausting days that start at dawn full of challenges. A panel of judges that includes Tyra Banks, who developed the show, critiques her photos, speeches and runway walks. Sometimes the comments are so harsh that the contestants start to doubt themselves and lose their winning spirit.
As time went on we started to embrace reality television. We now understand that we are seeing human beings who have dreams and goals, and want to challenge themselves to be stronger individuals. Criticizing actually validates what they’re doing, because it’s easier to criticize others than it is to admit that something is missing in your own life. Unfulfilled dreams and challenges are worse than trying and not winning.
So as we acknowledge our insecurities, we see the couples in The Amazing Race take on the world and test their physical and mental limits. We fell in love with the young men and women who sing so brilliantly on American Idol. We watch Survivor and root for the hard-working, honest competitor who uses the power of his mind and the strength of his soul to win a million dollars. The reality show If You Think You Can Dance shows us incredible talent beyond the years of young dancers. We can feel their passion as we watch them slide, jump, touch, spin and pirouette across the floor. And it’s hard not to get excited about a young lady who lives in a bad neighborhood and leads a hard life, who is gorgeous and wins a modeling contract with the best agency in the world.
Today we are not ashamed to say that we watch Reality TV. We should only be ashamed when we stay on the couch in the safety of our own home and don’t risk showing the world what we have to offer.
