Reality

It's sad, I'm a real sucker for reality television. I watch everything from Jersey Shore, The Bachelor, to the Real World. I've never really considered it to be anything more than an increasingly popular drama. But, I will say, the more I think about it the more I see that there are definitely two categories within the genre - as Poniewozik points out. There are those shows that involve competition and those that go into the "lives" of those on the show. Competition shows, like America's Next Top Model really deal with issues that separate the character - however, they have a purpose for being on the show. Drastically different, shows like Jersey Shore deal with people that are strictly on television for the fame, and after they walk away this is the only things that could change in their life.

People on these shows ultimately forfeit any privacy they once had. In this article he references the creator of facebook saying that "sharing has become a social norm". The amount of privacy people has is really diminishing over time, not just because of these types of television but also through the interconnection of people through websites.

The fact that the reality stars came on with names that would represent their "stardom" and set them apart from other reality shows really emphasizes their desire to be popular. Not only do they wish to become famous in the eyes of viewers, but the attention they get also enable them to become successful in other aspect (i.e. clothing lines). These are all crucial elements to their fame, as well as a huge part of the genre that I do not think people tend to think of. I know, as an avid viewer I tend to watch for the entertainment - not really thinking of anything else.

The pure fame they receive just from displaying their lives is incredible. Like Poniewozik points out, they are paid just to reference things on their twitters. It is unbelievable the mass appeal that society has to this worthless genre (if you will). It really offers no value, other than amusement based off of others reckless, and sometimes unnecessary actions.

I know I find myself to be intrigued by the conflict that arises within each show. It happens in Survivor, Jersey Short, The Biggest Loser. It allows me some attachment, emotionally, to a character. But after reading the article the more I think about it, the more I see that they act in a certain way to gain popularity, a sense of success. The shift from competition, to loss of privacy is incredible. However, I will say that as our generation indulges in this type of behavior on television it will continue to grow in popularity, because not only do these "characters" make money but so do the networks.

The fact of the matter is we tend to watch to make fun of whats going on. I would not say that many viewers tend to envy this people, but rather critique and observe their behaviors. Its a very interesting progressive introduction to TV. I'd say that we will not see decline in it for a very long time, as long as young people are searching for "easy" success, and as long as we (as a society) are willing to tune in every week. Like Poniewozik says with the example of the family and the balloon kids, people use media attention to gain insight into something else they want to do - motivation for greater success. This also being like JWoww starting a clothing line during season 2 of The Jersey Shore.... Its a crazy concept to address, I think its going to keep spiraling in this direction until there is no censoring and peoples lives are no longer private. Because if its the norm now to "share" whats stopping it from going much further?