LTS aT hil Bb Although it's impossible to ignore their popuiariy, it seems te me that many reality shows send an unfortunate} message encouraging 2 cult of instant celebrity. Many are bult around blatant seit xromation and are based on huntlating others for the entertainment of viewers. These programmes suggest that aryone can become famous simply by ‘being themselves’ on TV, without working hard or displaying any talent. Chleren who watch these ‘shows may come to beleve that they don't need to study ‘conscientiously at school, or train hard for ajob. As ore ‘commentator poins out, ‘We tell ids that what matte is being a celebity and we wonder why some behave as the) do. It seems to me that this addiction to celebrity culture is creating a dumbed-down generation’ In pretending, to imitate realife, reality shows promote the bel that ‘we should aspire to be the realty stars we watch on our televisions. One of the reasons so many people enjoy realty shows és that they feature real people operating without scrips ‘The fact that characters have been selected to ercourage disagreements or tension ané then cyncelly manioulated does not take away from the reality ofthe programmes; in fact it adds to it. The unusual settings of shows lke Big Brother do not reduce the educational value of observng how the contestants cope wit their situation. In fact, without such shows, most people would have litle con (of how a group of strangers would be able to survive, co-operate and develop in such environments, As Time ‘Magazine describes it, They provoke and offend, but t least they ae trying to do something besides hebing you get to sleep.’ This insight therefore into the hurman ‘condition is invaluable, end itis litte surprise that so many viowers are eager to watch these programmes, ‘Which writer shares writer C’s view of the social value of reality TV? expresses a different view from the others about the popularity of reality TV? takes a similar view to B about the way rom discouraging hard work and education, reality programmes help to create a society in |wnich we have ‘experiences and a strong sense of community. the fact that they do rot reflect reality, they provide important social glu. nthe past there were ony @ tseision channels, and everybody watched the same ames. This sense of a shared experience helped to peone together, ving them common tings t tak ‘at work the next ay: so-called ‘water cooler moments [ait programmes play that role in contemporary society Ina vewershp being almoatacutural mperatve, an ‘acerience shared simultaneously with friends and family. ‘criticism that reality TV shows may corrupt viewers is fot ble. Just as itis possible to empathise wth reallife is without going on to commit crimes ‘ourselves, there Tareason why wewers shuld be persuaced to erate the ty of realty TV programmes. audience appeal of realty shows is understandable anc /doos nobody ary serious harm, but we should not that we are being shown rea fe. Contestants who ndergore a meticulous selection process are placed in realty they would nt normally experience. This situation fen stage managed by executives who rake money attracting impressionable audiences. In Survivor, for Je, one of the longest-running realty shows, a group scope wh did not know each other were put together tn islnd and then made to take part in contests. After some contestants were voted out. This was clearly primarily in order to create tensions witin the group, ‘adding drama and excitement to the programme. participants are controlled in reality TV <— shows? 3] expresses a different opinion from the others about the authenticity of reality TV pyr) a _| shows?