Fakeness of Reality Shows

            It seems to be unanimous that the media is the most effective and influential tool in American culture. Television networks are practically brain washing people to get them to believe in and conform to these superficial ideas portrayed by the media. It’s difficult to listen to producers who genuinely feel like the way they depict people on television is natural. I’ll admit that I’m a huge fan of shows on mtv like Jersey Shore and The Challenge but that doesn’t mean that I think the shows are completely real and unscripted.

            Shows that edit people to look like these “monsters” that they really aren’t should be forced by law to have a disclaimer in the credits of the show. I would hope that most people agree with me when I say that it’s stupid to believe that the way reality shows depict those people are how they really act in the real world. I’ve seen countless numbers of shows where they get D-list celebrities to come on and bash on the silly antics of reality shows and show them for what they really are. In one instance when I was watching jersey shore they show a cast member wearing completely different clothes with in the same scene.

            It’s on the American public to know the difference between drama filled reality shows and the priorities of everyday life. It’s silly to me that some people out there actually take to heart the morals and priorities that reality shows want you to believe. Luckily most people hate reality shows and choose to boycott them.

            Women are the ones who are exploited the most on reality shows; it’s rare to see a “character” on these shows be unattractive. There is always the dumb girl, the bitch, and the alpha female of all of them, and yet they are all gorgeous no matter how bad their personalities are. Most of these women can be frustrating to watch because the way they act it, it just makes you want to scream at them for being such a bitch or so stupid; I guess that’s why television heads get paid the big bucks if they can draw everyone in even if it’s in a negative way.

            The same can be said for guys but with different stereo typical characters. There is always the jock, the alpha male, and the guy who doesn’t quite fit in and is the biggest threat (in most cases). For instance, if you’ve ever seen any reality show on mtv every person looks like a Greek god/goddess, the guys are ripped up and the girls walk around without a shred of body fat. People may not think it but shows like these are the reason why women think they must look a certain way or why a guy may feel inadequate if he isn’t a meet head jock. But I guess you can’t put the entire blame on a television show for making people think this way.

            People need to know that what they are watching is manufactured for the most part. Name brands are seen in every scene whether you think you saw it or not. I wouldn’t go so far to say that all the fights and drama are scripted but I’m sure their nudged in that direction.

            It seems like casting is done to see how many unstable people they can find to make a show around whether it be finding your spouse or just competing for a cash prize. It’s obvious when you can tell if a person would actually be normal in real life, unfortunately the way the shows are edited would make this person seem weak or an outcast compared to the other show members.

            In all its just plain dumb for people to take their morals and priorities from what fake people on television do. It’s up to people to know that these reality shows are for entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be taken to heart. Just because people look or act a certain way and are glorified for it whether it be in a positive or negative aspect doesn’t mean everyday people should try and strive to be like that. I’m not saying to boycott these shows all together, but to at least learn the differences between everyday life and just a marketing tool.