Reason why People Watch Reality TV Shows

1267 Words3 Pages

Have you ever wondered why people are so addicted to watching their favorite shows on TV? Have you ever wondered why reality TV is so popular? This paper is an explanation of why large numbers of people watch reality TV shows. Proof and facts will be provided showing that reality TV provides entertainment, inspiration, the stirring of emotions, vicarious living, and a substitute for social life for many who watch. Here are a few examples of these statements. One of the main reasons for watching reality TV is to provide people with entertainment. To an extent, the majority of society has a desire to explore what goes on in the world around them. People like watching drama that occurs on public television. “Insults, temper tantrums, selfishness, gross behavior, and plain old stupidity- these are the main ingredients for most of today’s reality TV shows. Guess who is watching them? Millions of viewers just like you” (Cohen). “Viewers cannot seem to get enough of the torture, embarrassment, temptation, and above all, drama of other regular, everyday people being placed in unrealistic settings and manipulated for the world to see” (Pontius). These two quotes state that the reason that the majority of our society watches these shows, is that they are entertained by the supposed reality that is portrayed. A second reason for people’s love of reality television, is the fact that reality TV can stir the viewer’s emotions. “While some cheer for their favorite celebrity on Dancing with the Stars….” (Lehmann). “ Or cry with joy watching Say Yes to the Dress…” ( Lehmann). These are just two of many example quotes that show that people sometimes get very emotional by simply watching other people live out their lives so publicly. Many people id... ... middle of paper ... ...bout the “real” real world.” Psychology of Popular Media Culture, Vol 2(4). Oct 2013. 237-250. PsychARTICLES. 29 Nov 2013 • Cohen, Ilisa “Is Reality TV Messing With Your Head?’ Scholastic Choices November 2012: 12-7. Proquest. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. • Becker, Anne “Reality Helps: TV Turns to Life-Changing Shows.” Broadcasting and Cable 135.23 (2005): 20. Proquest. Web.24. 24 Nov. 2013. • “Real To Me: Girls and Reality TV.” www.girlscouts.org Girl Scout Research Institute, 2011. Web. 29. Nov. 2013. • Pontius, Erika S. “the Impact of Reality Television on Viewer’s Perception of Reality.” http://clearinghouse.missouriwestern.edu. Department of Psychology, Missouri Western State University, 22 Apr. 2003. 29 Nov. 2013. • Lehmann, Carolin. “Reality TV: A Blessing or a Curse? An Analysis of the Influence of Reality TV on U.S. Society.” Academia. Edu 5 Nov. 2012. 29 Nov. 2013.

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