Reality T.V.

Believing and Doubting, reality television is an important part of American culture.

Believe
Reality television has been around for over 60 years, having a huge impact on our culture. It has inspired people to try things outside their comfort zones and laugh at the mundane of everyday life. Candid Camera was one of the pioneer reality television shows. This reality show was a huge hit with Americans at a time in our society when all they wanted was some fun, uncomplicated television at the end of the day. Candid Camera was good-natured humor, because as Funt said, “[it] caught people in the act of being themselves.”(Allen Funt, creator/producer) To date we still have shows that aim for the same goal, in fact, Candid Camera is still going. Hundreds of reality shows have popped up since, changing as our society changes, therefore keeping a constant, captivated audience. What draws viewers in is these shows give people, who otherwise would not have the means or outlet, a chance to express themselves and their special talents. All viewers, from aspiring chefs, to singers, even beat boxers, feel like, they to can have the American dream of riches and fame. What does this say about us? What happened to good old-fashioned hard work and inner drive? I have to admit that I enjoy watching American Idol and On the Lot, both on the Fox network. What gets me involved is the connection you develop with the contestants as the weeks go on. You start to route for the ones you feel most worthy of the "prize." I also believe that some reality shows inspire people in both a good and bad way. A show that creates laughter is a positive thing, right? At what expense? Shows like Survivor and the ever popular, Jackass, are prime examples of negative realty t.v. These kinds of shows have inspired people to do things that are physically and emotionally tortuous for the "prize" at the end, or just a laugh. No matter, positive or negative, competitiveness and materialism drive our society and reality television displays this nightly for millions of Americans.

Doubt
Although, I believe reality television plays a part in American culture, it is not so much as television in general. Many avid t.v. watchers are starting to feel the producers of these shows are going too far, and have become generally appalled. However, that does not mean that television in general is not a major part of American culture. Varying polls show that an estimate of 85% of Americans have cable or satellite television. Millions of Americans tune in daily for all aspects of their lives; news, entertainment, travel, exercise, even buying houses. "Those of use who are parents understand that raising a child in today's modern media marketplace is a daunting task at times." (Adam D. Thierer, the Director of Telecommunications studies at the Cato Institute) This said, I would like to bring up an even bigger influence in our lives, video games. The gaming industry has skyrocketed and is now a multi-billion dollar industry. Millions of people of all ages spend countless hours playing video games every day. So many parents opt for the cool video game, or DVD, to teach basic things to their children, such as the alphabet and counting. Long gone are the days of going to the library or making flash cards. Honestly, in my opinion the most important part of American culture, is the technology and communication. These two major players go hand in hand and have made us a society based on faster, better, and convenience. After all, how would we function without, cell phones, laptops, and most important, the Internet!