Running head: RISKY: THE VALUES

Risky: The Values of Reality Television English 122

RISKY: THE VALUES

Risky: The Values of Reality Television Reality television has taken over television entertainment as the most popular genre of television broadcasting. Reality television is an unscripted programming genre that follows real life events of ordinary people and often celebrities for certain periods of time. The concept of reality television is popular however, it is not new. Survivor is mostly known for being the first

reality television show to debut on a network. However, according to (Sannah, 2011), An American Family debuted on PBS in 1973 therefore is the first in class in this genre. On this particular reality show filmmakers followed the Loud Family in Santa Barbara for seven months. Since then American audiences have been exposed to shows like, Candid Camera, Americas Funniest Home Videos, Jerry Springer, and Cops, and more recently we have moved into more entertainment based, game show reality, and competition based reality TV. Media experts predicted the 2001 season of reality shows would be the beginning of the end of this genre stating, over-scheduling tend to lead to overkill (Gardyn, 2001). Clearly those that predicted this were wrong. There are an abundance of reality based programs on most networks from cable to regular network television. The majority of reality television shows being promoted today do not add any value or substance to human life or behavior. Reality television appeals to cultural values, while encouraging risky or inappropriate behavior among young viewers. The appeal of reality television is different for every individual. Reality television shows exploits the cultural values in many ways. Cultural values are commonly held standards of what is acceptable in society. The Jerry Springer Show debuted in 1991. This show crossed many boundaries related to morals and values. The guest of The Jerry Springer Show appeared to be lower class people who come on the show to expose a dirty secret usually related to cheating

RISKY: THE VALUES spouses, homosexuality, which led to fighting, profanity, nudity, among other disgraceful acts of behavior. Values have influence on a persons behavior and attitude. According to (Reiss & Wiltz, 2004), there are 16 joys associated with watching reality television. People prefer television shows that stimulate the feelings they intrinsically value the most, which depends on individuality (Reiss, & Wiltz, 2004, p. 363). Survivor made its debut on CBS in 2002. This

show features 16 to 20 contestants who are split into groups and isolated in the wilderness. They compete for survival in the wilderness while building strong bonds among one another and betraying fellow team members. Its appeal to viewers is competition compared with vengeance. The desire for vengeance is closely associated with enjoyment of competition (Reiss &Wiltz). The value of competitiveness is illustrated in most competition based reality shows and therefore is the motivation behind the appeal of their viewers. Voyeurism is another appeal of reality television. Temptation Island debuted on Fox in the year 2001. In this show several couples agree to live with a group of singles to test the strength of their relationships. The voyeuristic appeal to viewers is not sexual in nature but more of the interpersonal interactions with one another and watching how couples react when put in situations where they possibly can cheat on their spouses or significant other. Other behaviors that can be categorized within this form of voyeurism are the expression of emotions. Jersey Shore and The Flava of Love are shows that fits the criteria of voyeurism. In addition to a reality star's personal life being put on display, gossip, sexual behavior, partial nudity, and common acts of aggression are other behaviors that are considered voyeuristic and appeal to viewers and are exploited in reality television shows. Another reason people watch reality television is due to social contact. Reality shows are the conversation on social media such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as the topic of discussion

RISKY: THE VALUES in the social settings. A person who has never tuned into a reality television show may end up watching a show because that is what all of their peers are doing and they want to be able to fit in and add to conversations and feel like they are a part of the group. The reality television stars are often on the news for things that are going on in their personal lives when they are not filming, which leads to more discussions in a social environment. People debate their opinions about the shows and even take sides on different issues related to the cast of the shows. Viewers find themselves sometimes emotionally connected to the reality TV stars. Romance is another appeal to reality television. There are many shows centered around love and romance. The Bachelor is one of the most popular romance based reality show. This show appeals to men and woman. Just like most other reality shows it promotes a fantasy lifestyle with romantic dates set up in exotic locations, with the bachelor proposing to the final contestant. This show is appeals to the romantic side of its viewers. The viewers are connected to the person they feel is the best fit for the bachelor and tune in each week to see if their favorite pick wins the bachelors heart. It is safe to say that viewers are vicariously living their lives through reality characters. For the Love of Ray J and Flavor of Love are two of the more distasteful reality shows centered around love and romance. In the two of these shows, the female contestants found it okay to fight, gossip, and spit on one another. The appeal of this show would be romance mixed with voyeurism . Curiosity is also a reason people watch reality television, especially the shows that are made up of real celebrities. The Osbournes debuted on MTV in 2002 and was one of the first celebrity based reality shows. Normal people, meaning non celebrity people are very curious of how celebrities live, spend their money, and interact with their families. This show gave viewers the opportunity to see it all. The Osbourns hit show became mostly known for the

RISKY: THE VALUES profanity filled conversations between Ozzy Osbourne and his family. The explicit and disrespectful way he interacted with his family is an example of behaviors that are culturally inappropriate. Vengeance or the need to get back at someone for something is a common denominator in the many of the reality televisions shows that are on currently. Basket Ball Wives is a reality show that follows the lives of the wives of celebrity basketball players. This show incorporates verbal aggression, physical violence against one another, the mean girl stigma, and sometimes bullying. The fighting on this show had gotten so out of hand that it wasnt renewed for a third season. The ladies on that show displayed all types of inappropriate behavior. This type of behavior is becoming more common in reality shows, especially on cable networks. Steven Reiss & James Wiltz conducted a study based on the 16 joys experienced in watching reality television. According to (Reiss & Wiltz, 2004), status is the number one reason reality television appeal to its viewers. Status makes a person feel that they are important and sometimes better than other people. Many reality shows portray the importance of material things such as fancy cars, designer clothing, handbags, oversized homes, and even things as simple as a pair of sun glasses. They also promote beauty through drastic plastic surgery and definitely living beyond their means. Dr. 90210 is a reality television show that debuted in 2004. The basis of this show was around the plastic surgeons and their patients. Materialism is common in many of the reality television shows. The characters displayed on television are shown living luxurious lifestyles when in real reality they come from the working class. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and The Real Housewives of Orange County are reality shows that are filled with materialism, and they are not alone. Shows like these influence people into believing that they need plastic surgery to be beautiful and that material things are of utmost

RISKY: THE VALUES importance in life. The fans of these shows tune in week after week and fantasize about how they too, could become celebrities of a reality show. It has been said, the fascination with instant celebrity, focused on everyday people who find fame overnight, has been fueled by reality TV (Gardyn, 2001). Despite the negative behaviors portrayed in getting to celebrity status, viewers still fantasize and would enjoy having that lifestyle. In the early years morals and values were important to the American culture. There has been a decline on a large scale within the past 10 years of the importance of values. We see people doing things in the public that would have never been condoned or tolerated long ago. In the reality shows there are an abundance of partial nudity, profanity, bullying, gossip, disrespect to parents and elders, adultery, and a list of other things. Reality television is corrupting our viewing habits. Viewers are enjoying the derogatory behaviors of the cast. In many of the shows bullying is being promoted. Viewers are connected to these shows and feel that there is a justification for the behaviors that at one point were not tolerated. According to Jill Jones (2009) American people have always been obsessed with sin and shame; she said, Jerry Falwell pronounced that September 11 was likely a punishment for Americans sinsparticularly the sins of lesbians, gays, and the ACLU. There are Larry Craig, Ted Haggard, Michael Vick, and, of course, trash television: Flavor of Love, The Bachelor, and The Jerry Springer Show (p.146). Reality television has become the most popular genre on television. Viewers watch it because they relate to them on a personal level. The derogatory behavior, verbal aggression, physical violence, bullying, and risky sexual behavior are the part of the shows that appeal to viewers most. Although, there are many shows that promote positivity and nurture common values such as T.I.& Tiny - Family Hustle, Tia & Tamara, there are far more shows that promote the degrading behaviors. The old fashioned values and morals that were instilled in youth from

RISKY: THE VALUES birth is being destroyed by reality television. At one point in time if a person was gay he or she

would never admit it. Reality shows promote sexual freedom in relationships, as well. In The Real Housewives of Atlanta, you can find openly gay men wearing high heel shoes and makeup. In RuPauls Drag Race, you have drag queens men dressing as women from head to toe. Last but not least you have Marriage the First Year, a reality show that follows the first year of marriage between six different couples, with one couple being a gay couple. It is very important for parents to monitor the television choices of their children, as well as continue to teach the importance of cultural values, respect for oneself and others, which is lacking in most reality television shows. The number of reality shows being produced is ever increasing as well as the viewers need to watch them. More important, there is evidence that young people emulate the behavior of reality stars (Patino, et al, 2011). Many viewers, especially the younger audience view people on television as celebrities and role models. Participants on reality shows have the opportunity to influence the lives of their viewers in a positive way, however what is shown on most of the shows is completely daunting and encourages precarious behavior. Because reality television is growing in popularity among younger viewers there is more of a need for viewers to understand the shows are for entertainment purposes only and the behaviors displayed is not considered normal. Reality television programs influences and supports the breakdown of cultural values.

RISKY: THE VALUES

REFERENCES

Gardyn, R. (2001). The Tribe Has Spoken. American Demographics, 23(9), 34. Jones, J. (2009). Hags and Whores: American Sin and Shaming from Salem to Springer. Journal Of American Culture, 32(2), 146-154. Reiss, S. & Wiltz, J. (2004). Why People Watch Reality TV. Media Psychology, 6(4), 363-379 Sanneh, K. (2011). The Reality Principle. New Yorker, 87(12), 72-77. The Appeal of Reality Television For Teen and Pre-Teen Audiences. (2011). Journal of Advertising Research, 51(1), 288-297.