Reality Television

Reality shows are everywhere. Every channel, whether it’s MTV or TLC has some sort of reality show because America is addicted to them. Most of the reality shows playing, or at least the most successful ones are dedicated to showing people at their worst. Real World, Bad Girls Club, and others showcase individuals who do stupid things while intoxicated. So why do we love to watch worthless television so much?

Fiske’s definition of carnival is exactly what reality shows are. “Characterized by laughter, bad taste, and offensiveness and degradation”, an exaggeration, “a second world and second life outside officialdom”. The most prominent reality shows are degrading, offensive, filled with individuals who define bad taste, and on most accounts the viewers are able to laugh at them. Each reality show that I have watched with in the past week (Bad Girls Club, The Bachelor, John and Kate Plus Eight, Keeping up with the Kardashians, The Girls Next Door, Deadliest Catch, the list could go on and on) embodies a different form of carnival. I would say Bad Girls Club (a show about six ‘bitches’ who live together and fight) is a billingsgate. It is a vulgar terrible show that makes you feel like a saint when you watch it.

Most the time after watching a ridiculous episode of some reality show I try and find a justification for putting myself through that. Most of the justifications are how good you can feel about yourself when you are done with it. I think a lot of reality shows have this effect. Your life seems ten times more normal and sane compared to the trash we can watch on tv. You can either feel better about how kind you are compared to a bunch of bitches, or feel like you have a better chance at finding love then girls competing on a show, or be thankful you don’t have eight children. Reality shows find their niche in showing something out of the ordinary, something that not everyone can do or be or are used to.

The spectacle that is provided varies with the show. John and Kate Plus Eight is about John and Kate who have a set of twins and then a set of sextuplets. While nothing vulgar or degrading happens on the show, people can find relief in the fact they don’t have eight kids. I think a show like this has morals and values that you can take from an episode. It shows that two people can be in love and make it work even though they are constantly struggling with dealing with eight kids. The spectacle of the Bad Girls Club does the opposite. You don’t find morals and values on a show where girls just get drunk and fight. I think these girls use their bodies as a site of struggle more than others. They are voted on the show because they are known bitches, so they have to act up to a certain expectation. Maybe they want to change and get better and learn self control, but the show probably makes them want to act out more strongly against this idea. Reality shows pounce on individuals who are struggling and make money off of their imperfections.

Reality television is on every channel. Despite how degrading or ridiculous each show might be, we all still watch. Reality tv becomes an addiction. Turning it on just makes you feel that much better about yourself.