Monday, September 17, 2007

Reality TV is not Real!!

When will the television networks get over 'Reality TV?' I know that the answer to that is as soon as people stop watching reality TV. But really, enough is enough. There is nothing about any reality show that looks at all like my real life.

I have never been trapped in a house, a bunker, an island or a board room with 12 body building, fitness trainer super-models. And even if I was, I think that I would volunteer to leave. Who are these people? Where do they come from? Why does anyone care about them?

Meanwhile, network television executives are loving the reality craze. Production costs are relatively low for these programs. There are no actors to pay. There is a small crew, and only one host. The main expense is the 'large' cash prize at the end of the season. The cash prize is nothing to the producers and advertisers who bring us this stuff.

And ultimately, reality television adds nothing of value to our lives or our culture. After an hour of the Apprentice Survivor in Hell's Kitchen, we have no new knowledge. We have not been enlightened. We have not grown. The best that can be said for these programs is that they leave us mildly amused and curiously interested. There is nothing soul-stirring or conscience-pricking about them.

And so, I propose we take action.
  1. Stop watching these reality television shows. There is surely something else on. After all, we have hundreds of television channels to choose from. And if there is nothing else, simply turn off the television.
  2. Encourage your friends to stop watching reality television programs. This will require swimming against the current, but you can do it.
  3. Find other ways to occupy your time and expand your horizons. Television should be art, and as art it should make the world a better, more beautiful place. And if it cannot do that, it ought to at least provoke some thinking and discussion. When television fails, think about books, films, museums, dance. Live!
  4. Look at the world in realistic ways. Do not be fooled into believe that every person in the world is 28 years old and beautiful.
  5. Finally, be alive. Use television. Do not let television use you.

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