Ultimate Misnomer: Reality Television

With all the gifted writers there are, and the millions of dollars that the entertainment industry takes in each year, why do people resort to watching their neighbors jump hoops for public pleasure?

In my eyes, it's the same reason why more people watch the news when there is a terror alert or a murder than when the local police department is having a raffle to save an animal shelter. Humans exist for the challenge. For example, the rush that a sky-diver gets when he jumps into the air and hurtles himself toward the ground is complimented only by the realization that he lived to tell about it. The challenge has been completed, and its something he can be proud he made it through.

When addressing why reality television is popular, why all of these shows regardless of the specifics on which they are based on draw so many viewers, you have to examine the average American fan. The average fan is not going to go out and eat worms to see how they taste, sing if they don't have a lick of talent, or live with a whole bunch of strangers. They will not risk their lives or perform stupid stunts for a incredibly small chance at gaining a few dollars. Fans are much too busy with their lives. There is work, school, families, pets, so much of the hustle and bustle of tasks that have to be dealt with there is just no time to deal with non-essentials.

However, in the quieter part of the day, we tune in. We watch all of these things in disbelief that they are actually happening. We cringe, cheer, or sing along. We place ourselves in the shoes of those individuals that dare to be out there. In our own way we are living out the need for the challenge, something different to get our attention away from the lifestyle we set for ourselves. In all fairness, there are several people that star in these series that actually use the show to better themselves and gain fame for their talents. It has to be admitted, though, that stupid people in large numbers makes for pretty funny television.