Impacts of Reality Shows on Society

Introduction

As the world is progressing and recent developments are emerging, the lifestyles of its inhabitants are also drastically changing. The technical developments gave birth to the satellite television, and now almost every house in America possesses a TV. The excessive increase in number of TV sets and the channels, compelled the entertainment providers to find out new ways of providing entertainment to their viewers, which would not only serve the purpose of amusement, but will also captivate its audience.

Reality TV

Reality TV is the new and yet another form of entertainment discovered by the entertainment producers. As the name entails, the reality TV encompasses of programs that do not comprise of prescript and predetermined actions. The essence of the whole concept lies in the fact that it showcases the real life situations on TV, of mainly the original or real life characters. What's amuses and drags a person to watch this show is the feeling of being able to sneak a peek into the other person's life and daily affairs.

Although the format of reality TV existed in one form or another since the inception of the numerous TV programs, yet the genre acquired sheer popularity with programs like Big Brother and Survivors. The plot of these shows and almost every other reality show revolve around the fact that real life characters are put into the real life situations, where their moves are monitored by cameras and a set of predetermined rules. These rules allow them to follow a set pattern in order to win the ultimate reward (Papacharissi & Mendelson, p.357).

Impacts of Reality Tv On Society

Everything that a person witness in his/her practical life has a significant impact on his/her psychology, behavior or needs. Likewise, since the reality shows have managed to become an integral part of the entertainment, being exposed to them and the acts carried out in those shows, on a regular basis will have a definite impact on not only people's behaviors but also their psychology and desires (Essany, p.188).

Positive Impacts

Most often these realities shows provide a person with a solution he has been looking for, throughout the life. These acts or situations enable the person to resolves his/her issues accordingly, if not in a much better way. Not all reality shows have negative impacts on society and culture. There are numerous reality shows that deal with the real life, actual serious problems. For ...