No script, no director, no highly paid actors. These are the components of the latest trend of television shows that have been appearing on all of the major broadcasting companies. Reality-based television series are taking over primetime TV.
The entire world watches these programs, and everyone has their favorite show to watch. The whirlwind of hype has definitely reached Webster High School. Among the most popular shows this season was “Temptation Island,” a Fox incarnation which has recently come under fire for what some people consider immorality. Fox created a tropical paradise with attractive and flirtatious singles as the sole inhabitants. Four couples are then sent to the island to test the strength of their relationships.
Love it or hate it, many students still tuned in to see what was happening with their favorite people in the show.
“People like to watch other people to see if they fit in,” says junior Nicole Meeks. By using “real life” people in these shows, as opposed to actors, the television producers hope to appeal more to viewers.
This reality aspect makes such shows appealing to many students, even if they do have reservations about the moral codes conveyed.
“Temptation Island is unhealthy,” stated Katie Marsjanik, but added that she still watches the show. She is not alone. Many people are attracted to these shows due to the shocking value of its programming. “Temptation Island encourages people to cheat on their boyfriends or girlfriends,” said Carrie Scharett, “and it tells people that it is okay to do so.”
Amazingly, in just one year, a lot of people have gone from being novices to experts on reality-based television. However, it is not a new concept. MTV’s “The Real World” has been on for 10 years, and it has enjoyed some success. This, however, pales in comparison to the overwhelming popularity and success of CBS’s “Survivor,” which has attracted millions of viewers in a year of being on the air.
“Survivor” puts everyday people on an island and then gives them challenges. The object is to stay on the island until you are the last one remaining. The survivors get to “vote off” other members of the party, and the winner receives one million dollars.
The excitement and unpredictability of this show helps to keep the ratings high. The success is so great that, according to CBS, “Survivor” has become the number-one rated television show on the network.
Hoping to take their own piece of the pie, all of the major networks now have reality television shows in development.
Are reality-based television shows here to stay? Only time will be able to answer this question. Moral or immoral, it doesn’t seem to make a difference to the millions of viewers who tune into reality based television shows. “These…television programs are for the enjoyment of the audience,” said Tim Warren. “They are made to get the people interested and keep the ratings high.”
With its grasp on prime time still firm, it seems reality-based television will continue to dominate our televisions each and every night.