Self-Enhancement Reality TV

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Enhancement means to amplify, increase, and add to; especially to increase or improve in value, quality, desirability, or attractiveness (www.merriam-webster.com). Self-enhancement reality television is any program in which someone is given the opportunity to conquer a personal struggle, achieve a goal or something they truly desire. However, there are versions of the self-enhancement shows for every aspect of life like fashion, weight loss, physical appearance, style and grooming, child-rearing, attaining difficult goals, fashion and grooming, fashion makeover and marriage, relationship building, manners, addiction, mental health and etiquette. In fact, reality television has become so popular that recent statistics indicate, ‘‘there are now more people applying to The Real World each year than to Harvard’’ (Andrejevic, 2003). These facts promote several questions: What do these shows provide participants and viewers that traditional television programming does not? Why are these shows able to draw in viewers better than longstanding, established comedy and drama programs? What motivates their viewers? How are contestants chosen? Are the contestants awarded prizes? What if any is the follow up after the show? Who produces these shows? What are the ratings like? Do they win awards or do as well as other casted programs with actors?

In many cases reality television surrounding the issue of self-enhancement is often in contest format with shows putting teams, or other people in search of self-enhancement, against one another. For example popular self-enhancement reality based television shows such as The Biggest Loser and Swan are competitive based. On The Biggest Loser people, families or friends who have weight loss issues compet...

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• 3 Ball Shows. The Biggest Loser. Retrieves at: http://www.3ballproductions.com/bl.html

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