Reality TV

Reality TV:

It’s hard to believe that 25 years ago reality TV was first introduced to the small screens of America. What may be harder to believe is that the show that started it all is still on TV airing new episodes each season. I think its longevity is because of the subject matter that the show covers.  It reminds me of a current reality show that airs on A&E, with new episodes airing every Thursday night (shameless plug), The First 48. The First 48 is a show that follows various metro police officers from around the nation as they receive the call that a murder has been committed. If these detectives do not receive a solid lead within the first 48hrs, the chances of solving that particular case (based on averages) is cut in half. Cameras are there as detectives arrive on scene to start analyzing the scene and start bringing the victims last moments on Earth together so that leads can be generated and cases built. What, I must ask, is more based in reality than life and death situations? Not situations crafted by TV execs and producers. I know everyone thinks the Bachelor should choose this girl over the other one, or how your cake didn’t quite hold up to the competition, I’m sorry you won American Idol and find yourself playing State Fairs,  and hanging out in that Jersey hot-tub got old quick.

Shows like Jersey Shore (definitely not the first) ruined the great idea that was music television. Someone, please tell me when I can watch a music video or music of any kind on MTV? Maybe music videos suck now…I wouldn’t know. Regardless, a name change is definitely due. The things that are being passed off as reality TV today is beginning to stretch my understanding of reality toward scripted believability. I feel that if TV is to be considered reality, it has to be tangible to the viewer. The experiences that are being presented on the show should be things we all have experienced, or will experience in time. How many people reading this think they will get hired, or fired for that matter, by Donald Trump! I don’t, but that is just me.

Andy Warhol said that in the future everyone will have 15 minutes of fame. Reality TV is definitely a device for some to achieve this. Don’t get me wrong. I like to watch a show that shows someone chasing a dream. Everyone likes to root for someone who comes off as human and real. Those are getting harder to find. Shows that inform the viewer are worth the time. However, this is definitely relative to the viewer. For example, I am really into the shows American Pickers, Pawn Stars and Storage Wars. These programs showcase artifacts from history that can be very collectible.  Even items that are current have a buyer’s market that I’m interested in and the shows highlight these items as well. But this is all relative to me and someone else might think watching these shows would be like watching paint dry. 

I guess that is what reality TV really is…relative. It’s all relative to the viewer who chooses to invest their time and attention to that show. I’m sorry if I offended any aspiring cake sculptors. That was not my intention. This all coming from the guy who thinks murder investigations are compelling. I’m not happy to see people suffer, but there is something raw and very REAL about that show. Life, death, the pursuit of justice and probably most important, a sometimes hard view into human nature is what the First 48 delivers.  That’s as real as it gets!

Oh, almost forgot. That show that’s been on for 25 years…I’ll give you a hint. We have all been a part of the shows inner circle.