Reality TV and Love

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Reality TV and Love

It seems that you can’t turn on a television set anymore without a reality show being on. All networks have recently started to pump out reality shows left and right. And why wouldn’t they? Reality shows are highly rated, with three of them being in the top ten on the Nielsen ratings chart. In fact, these shows are becoming more popular than the sitcoms and dramas aired. New sitcoms and dramas struggle to get attention of the public when going against a reality show. Programs such as The Beast and Go Fish, which critics loved and raved about, are victims of the wrath of reality shows. These shows are now cancelled.

What makes these shows so popular? They bring out a certain attribute of a person and focus on it. The public loves this and cannot get enough of it. One attribute is competitiveness, in which people are competing for a prize. Situations can get intense an emotions flare, much to the love of the viewer. However, the attribute that started it all is love. People love it when they see two people fall in love, and the ratings for these shows prove it. People also love to see drama and conflict, and what better element than love. An amorous relationship is a perfect example of the drama and conflict/resolution that viewers want to see. Using this attribute goes all the way back to 1965 when ABC aired The Dating Game, a surprise hit at the time. The concept was as simple as it can get. A woman would ask three men questions from behind a wall. The men would answer. The girl picks one to go on a date with. The show was simple, yet loved by many.

Reality shows have since become a bit more complicated. Twist and turns have been added in to long, drawn ...

... middle of paper ...

...from Fans of Reality TV: http://www.fansofrealitytv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25189

The Dating Game. Retrieved from TV Tome on November 3, 2004, from: http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/serlet/ShowMainServlet/showid-5410

The Bachelor. Retrieved from TV Tome on November 3, 2004, from: http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/ShowMainServlet/showid-11490/

TV Show News: ABC Orders Two More Seasons of The Bachelor. Retrieved from TVRules.net on September 27, 2004, from: http://www.tvrules.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4683

FOX Broadcasting, (n.d.). Temptation island . retrieved Nov 15, 2004, from http://www.temptationonfox.com/recaps/index.htm.

Keveney, B. (2003). Addicted to love: viewers stick it out with tv couples. USA Today

Freydkin, D. (2003). It's television without pity on reality shows. USA Today

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