Reality TV

      When I was younger I did not watch any reality TV. I started to watch more and more as I got older. I remember thinking that they were extraordinary shows. That is how I felt about them because they were strange and wonderful at the same time. I thought the way they acted was normal for them since they were called “reality” shows. Little did I know that most of the shows incorporated writers.


     As of now, reality shows are my guilty pleasure. I enjoy watching some reality shows because there are different types. A number of the shows make their audience feel certain emotions such as laughter, joy, excitement, or empathy. I watch shows which take a look at regular people as they change their lives drastically. The shows I watch are True Life, Made, Sixteen and Pregnant, Teen Mom, Wife Swap, Hoarders, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Those shows are interesting to watch because the people greatly change or have an event that changes their lives forever. It is engaging to see if the changes they go through have a good or bad effect on their lives.

     The second portion of shows I watch deal with the entertainers who are looking to be famous or already are. The shows are Project Runway, America’s Next Top Model, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, Jersey Shore, Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel, and Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. Those reality TV shows deal with a group of individuals who are or want to be famous and reach celebrity status. Those shows differ with the previous shows because the other shows wanted an audience to acknowledge or accept the situation which they modified or had to overcome.

     A considerable amount of reality shows are not harmful to our society. Several viewers watch reality shows for their personal entertainment. The viewers watch a particular show to gain the emotion that the person is giving or showing. If the scene involves something that is exciting then the viewer will be excited as well. There are numerous shows that I watch which helps society by teaching people different skills. For example, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition teaches the viewers that performing an act of kindness can greatly affect another person’s life.

     On the other hand, there are sparse reality TV shows which stereotype certain cast members. When stereotyping is involved it is not helpful to our society. A portion of the reality shows deal with harmful racial and gender problems which affect our society. When a few shows portray a negative view on another individual’s race or gender then society suffers the consequences. In conclusion, I enjoy watching various reality TV shows. While a few shows are harmful to our society other shows are the complete opposite.