"This show is an insult to all humans." - My Mom. This was my moms reaction after only seeing a few minutes of the reality T.V. show, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. Reality T.V. is in a way, making fun of lives that actually exist. Their lives are put out into the world for the audience's entertainment. They choose certain lives like that of the Kardashian's, Alana Thompson's (star of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo), and the lives of the mother's of professional dancers, in Dance Moms, because there is either drama, humor, or amusement for the viewers. By simply putting these shows on T.V. it is saying that their lives are so ridiculous that they should be put on display so that they could make money off of them.
Reality T.V. is not only embarrassing those who are in the show, but also those who watch the shows. Unknowingly, we are greatly affected by what we see in the media. I believe that if one admires someone they try to acquire their attributes. For instance, one who would like to be the "it-girl" like Kendall Jenner or simply desires to be as famous as the rest of her family, could start to live such a dramatic life as they do. Over reacting, picking fights, acting selfish and being nosy could easily influence the lives of their admires. The Kardashians are so famous that they get to live a life that most can't. Events for celebrities, expensive paradise vacations, huge parties, club goings, living in mansions, owning a Ferrari, and having a closet the size of a small house are all factors of their lives that is the glitter on top of the things that make their lives not all that great. The glitter is what prevents us from being able to see how much they are affecting us.
The glitter also leaves it's viewers unsatisfied. These luxuries can only be afforded by a small amount of people and it leaves the rest of us just wishing we had what they have, instead of being content with what we have. Reality T.V. and almost all types of media create an image of the perfect life because of the glitter. What is underneath the glitter is all wrong and we are persuaded that the ideal life is materialistic, like the cars, houses, or clothes, when it should be the things that are beneath the glitter.
I agree with you about the glitter. TV producers no doubt edit the shows to their liking, so that the public gets a different view than what actually happened. They are very embarrassing (and I cringe watching them), as you mentioned, but if there wasn't something about them that makes people watch them, they wouldn't exist. Is what attracts viewers a sort of satisfaction, and within that the humor and drama?
ReplyDeleteI thought it was really interesting how you described the glitter and how it affects reality TV. However I was a little confused as to whether the glitter is supposed to apply to the viewers of the reality TV show stars or the actual people on the shows. But I certainly agree with you on the fact that many people watch these shows and begin to desperately desire the seemingly fabulous lifestyle with expensive shoes and yachts, even though these items are never guaranteed to bring any happiness.
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