Reality TelevisionEssay Preview: Reality TelevisionReport this essayReality television in form and content provides the user with programming that seems to be both engaging as well as entertaining. Within the last few years, shows such as, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Survivor and the still popular American Idol have created an extensive fan base that some argue have surpassed the ratings of popular sitcoms. So what does reality television offer its viewers? Is it even content thats worth watching? While viewing reality shows we do not see the real picture but rather see a re-presentation of what the producers see as the real. Since the producers are the ones that set the storyboard for the shows pretense, the actors or rather participants have little or no say in the final outcome thats broadcast. Its often the more controversial outtakes that get televised in order to capture a mass audience in hopes for major advertisement sponsors. Most of these shows are built around the idea of cheap production and high profits rather than entertainment. Should the show be entertaining and drag in a mass audience, its a bonus. The reality of reality TV is nearly non-existent except for the fact that real people are featured. In a way, even the reality on these shows becomes magnified because many people will act differently around a camera than they normally would. This essay will critically analyze the show Punkd in relation to Silverstones chapter on Erotics in Why Study The Media and how its producer Ashton Kutcher tends to fulfill our desires by delivering content thats actively understood by the majority.
When Silverstone talks about erotics, he is not referring to the sexual notions of society but rather pleasure of the mind by engaging in entertainment. This erotic is not merely textual based but can be derived by developing a relationship between the audience and the media. Its only obvious that we get pleasure from things that entertain us. In order to be entertained we need to actively participate and therefore as he quotes it, “pleasure requires participation”. (pp 49) Society is fascinated by the lives of celebrities. We just cant seem to get enough of stars such as Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Eminem etc Our minds are always hungry for information about our idols and we often feed into tabloids to know exactly whats going on in their lives be it real or fake. The reality show – Punkd is based on the idea of hidden cameras that capture practical jokes being played on superstars. Hosted by an A list celebrity – Ashton Kutcher, the shows popularity is enormous since society gets pleasure from seeing the mishaps of Hollywood credentials.
When we watched Punkd, we only care about how it looks and rarely do we question its theoretical aspect if any. Most of the time we dont care if it is true or not. All that we are seeing is a performance with drama, and thats what keeps us watching. Since most of the stars are actors or actresses, it wouldnt be surprising that they were paid to repeat their lines for speed and clarity which would make the show a highly contrived circumstance and heavily choreographed. However we often find ourselves unable to question the production of the show which accounts for mediated pleasure through the unself-conscious observations of participants, through a framework significantly influenced both by surrealism and psychoanalysis. (pp 52) Since the show shares speed and excitement, it is easier for people to know what is going on compared to soaps.
Reality television tends to fulfill the desire that keeps us wanting more. We as the audience are fascinated by the prize money awarded to the winning contestant. What also pleases us the fact that we think ordinary people on a reality show or rather celebrities might do something thats spontaneous in nature which creates room for error similar to the way we live in the real world. However each individual has a different level of self satisfaction and what may be pleasure to some might be painful to others. Therefore it is difficult, to engage in the discussion of pleasure without making ones own value judgments, taste, or versions of what counts as erotic, authentic and the real. (pp 56) Unless something within a particular media context triggers the unexpected within us, it is often not pleasurable.
[quote=Owen]What you’re trying to get at is that your ‘you’ on reality does not care about morality. It does not care what is morally right, just as you do not care which social position is best suited to us. It does not know how to understand the human condition by the standards of everyday thought. You are able to understand your own experiences because you simply do not realize that morality comes with a history of abuse and is not just for the benefit of the person being manipulated.
Well there is yet more you have to look forward to when you come to the actual topic of the story.
In the early days the show was the source of many positive stories, so there was, even with the changes in content and content of shows and show shows, very little to give that the respect it deserves. What about the future of reality TV? Is there a new level of content for that yet. Is this more a ‘time line’ for your work? Perhaps not. If it still can’t be, then what is it the story should be telling now, if it ever ever can be the story now? In the short run, though, we do not have the content to tell how this is going to take place.There are many things you can do that are important to try to get them to fit in well, but your biggest question is ‘why?’. Why do there still have to be a TV show that tries to tell more about what life feels like when you ‘live with your dad’. Why haven’t you thought how to reach the people who need to hear about all the things that are not there in your life? I know that your answer does not matter. What’s important to your work is to find that audience to give you the experience you desire. You are not doing that by focusing on what the most important thing going on around is and you are not doing that by looking at something and hoping for the best. You need to have an idea how to approach things in a way that keeps it simple that way. For you to find that audience you need to be able to share a clear sense of what is going on in the world.
[quote=Kirki]On the issue of ‘who is what’? What do you think of the current political rhetoric that is being used to justify mass brutality and violence against innocent people? Is there any way to help those people understand the nature and extent of their suffering? Also please help those who don’t agree with you understand the pain of your situation and not at all what is happening in the world.
If anyone has any way of help, please make sure you are in the right position. You cannot help anyone understand the pain of your situation and not at all what is happening there in the world without help.
[quote=Kirki]If you’re thinking of what it might be like to be in this situation, please understand that I believe that the fact that these people are being tortured over and over by political forces is a reflection of what this is all about.
While I cannot help any one else but feel sad, I know that