Reality TV Research

1416 Words3 Pages

Reality TV Research

Why is that reality TV shows instead of encouraging, end up discouraging someone? The whole purpose of being a part of a TV show is try to win because you feel confident in what you are competing for. However in shows such as Americas Next Top Model the judges seek for the contestants flaws and point them out. According to Jennifer Pozner’s “Ghetto Bitches, China Dolls, Cha Cha Divas” reality shows contradict themselves. Pozner points out that a contestant was asked what she felt she was more of, Korean or American. She said she had never really thought of it, she didn’t really know which one she considered herself more of. Why does she have to choose between either? Wasn’t she supposed to be unique? Feel confident in her own skin? Well AMNTM decided they were going to emphasize on this topic and attack her on it. We are told that we need to love ourselves, be strong, and be confident yet women are being criticized on screen. To what extent is reality TV going to be so hypercritical and contradict its slogan?

Prior to starting research to find answers, I thought that shows were hypercritical because they wanted to gain more viewers. I thought that shows started as being genuine, but since they got no reaction they started to cause their own drama. Like the quote “Money moves mountains”, shows do what is necessary to keep their shows on air. What a better way than drama? Drama attracts viewers, even if the viewers are talking smack about it they still come back to watch it, even if it’s just watching the show to criticize. It gets them to be known on social media and that gets them publicity. Most reality shows on air always have drama. I wasn't sure if I was right or wrong, but I wanted to find out.

Befo...

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... but its both for self-purpose.

Works Cited

Lundy, Lisa K., Amanda M. Ruth, and Travis D. Park. "Simply Irresistible: Reality TV Consumption Patterns." Communication Quarterly 56.2 (2008): 208-225. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 May 2014.

Papacharissi, Zizi, and Andrew L. Mendelson. "An Exploratory Study Of Reality Appeal: Uses And Gratifications Of Reality TV Shows." Journal Of Broadcasting & Electronic Media 51.2 (2007): 355-370. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 May 2014.

Mendible, Myra. "Humiliation, Subjectivity, And Reality TV." Feminist Media Studies 4.3 (2004): 335-338. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 May 2014.

Aubrey, Jennifer Stevens, et al. "Investigating Personality And Viewing-Motivation Correlates Of Reality Television Exposure." Communication Quarterly 60.1 (2012): 80-102. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 May 2014.

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