The Bachelor, Americas Next Top Model, The Real World, The Voice, and many more entertaining reality TV shows are becoming more and more popular by the minute.
Why might people be into reality TV so much in comparison to other shows? Is it because of the amusing characters themselves or the horrifying thrill they present. “Everyone enjoys a good laugh, so why not watch that silly TV show your peers rave about?” (Odyssey)
Reaching out to former Lake Forest College student, Mallory Krzysciak, ‘19, thinks “reality television is so popular in today’s society because many people look for what is ‘real’ rather than something that is fictional.” Or so we think these TV shows are displaying reality. Who knows what these stars do behind the scenes when the camera is off.
Is ‘reality’ really real? That is a question you can answer yourself. An interesting question that I thought would be amusing to know from another Lake Forest Student was, “If you could be any reality TV star, who would it be?” Alex Veleris, ‘16, says “ Martha Montross from HGTV’s winning ‘Beach Flip’ team, because she and her fiancé built an awesome house together and she has great style and taste.”
Perhaps it is the idea of grandeur and extravagant possessions that drives us to admire and, in a way, covet their lives. “Reality shows allow us to get a glimpse into the lives of celebrities who choose to live their life on camera and put themselves on display” (Odyssey).
Reality TV shows mostly illustrate the new and in style approach to living life, imploring the viewers to connect with the character. This allows for us to gain a sense of obligation to check in with the characters and check in on their lives, as if they were a friend.
Being able to have the actors/actress’s as a model of how something can be utilized may be helpful to the viewers. According to an outside source, “reality TV satisfies their urge to relate to characters on the shows they watch.” Just like Ari Bilardello, ‘17, says, “reality TV shows are something that we can either relate to or vice versa.”
Once the audience member finds a connection to a particular program then there is a higher likelihood of attachment to the TV screen just like a slug attached to a fish tank.
Being hooked to a show may not be such a horrible thing unless it starts to take priority over schoolwork or other important obligations.
