Today: Oct 08, 2024

Reality shows ruining the quality of television

One of the many promos for the Kardashian empire, including Khloe Kardashian-Odom, Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian.

Natalie Barletta – Special to the Southern News

Reality television has gained popularity since the late 90s. Shows like Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, and Snooki and JWoww are extremely high in ratings. However, there is several concerns wrapped around reality television. First of all, one may wonder whether or not it is actual reality. For example, there was a speculation with the hit show The Hills on whether or not the content presented was actually reality. Second of all, one may begin to wonder about the quality of television may be, when things such as watching Kim Kardashian getting lunch with her sisters are high on the ratings chart. So, with that being said, is the quality of our television shows going downhill?

One of the most popular television shows of our generation is Jersey Shore. However, the content of that show wasn’t exactly the classiest content. A common trend with the content was hooking up, fighting, and lots of swearing. Many controversies came out of the show, such as the slang “guido,” and the cast being a false representation of the New Jersey and Italian community. Another popular reality show is Keeping Up With the Kardashians, a hit show on E! It shows the day to day life of the Jenners and the Kardashian sisters doing things such as getting lunch together, shopping, and various family function. Many people critique this show and the cast as being famous for being famous.

One of the many promos for the Kardashian empire, including Khloe Kardashian-Odom, Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian.
One of the many promos for the Kardashian empire, including Khloe Kardashian-Odom, Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian.

With the buffet of many new reality shows, one can say that anyone with a camera crew can be famous. Many speculate the quality of television going downhill due to the rise of these new shows.

I do agree with this statement to a certain extent. I do think shows like the Kardashians, Mob Wives, Jersey Shore, and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo are beginning to taint modern day television. Things have certainly changed from when my grandparents’ generation of what was acceptable to the public eye, and what was not. The same thing applies to what we watch on television. Twenty years ago watching the Jersey Shore cast grind on top of each other would probably not even exist as a show due to the content, and now it’s being shown on the television screens.

Another aspect of reality shows is the question of whether or not this is reality. How much of this is scripted to enhance the viewers? Former reality show star Lauren Conrad shows this in her fictional novel LA Candy, by writing about how the producers would tell them to talk about at a certain point. Kristin Cavallari, Lauren’s Laguna Beach co-star later admitted to the fact that although the show wasn’t scripted, the producers would ask them to sit down at a certain time to discuss whatever topic at hand. As a viewer, I find that boring because it seems like that topic is the center of the show. After a while, I would lose interest because the show is about the conflict between the two parties, and that can get old after a while.

However with the rise of these new reality shows, I do think quality television still exists. Scripted shows such as Modern Family, Nashville, and Glee are examples. Shows like this engage the viewer, by either making them laugh, or by leaving them with a cliffhanger. They tend to have more meaning than the reality shows on MTV. However, reality shows are not going away. They are the future of television, no matter how many people may not like it.

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