The strangest thing about reality shows is that nowadays it is a fast track to becoming a public person. Moreover it often springboards to public career(politics, media). Another advantage of it are rewards. There are always some cool gadgets or sometimes even big money to be won/got. I noticed that Kim gets money just for coming to the party or wearing an item of clothes.
I must admit that I’ve watched a few episodes of this show just from curiosity. And here is what I've learned: it basically consists of talking about mundane stuff: what to wear, where to go to the party, quarrels and love life of Kim and her family. It is supposed to look real but one can notice that besides it has real persons in it, it has been carefully directed. It is developing, we get to know more and more new characters, both family and friends. So it is some kind of soap opera but in reality, technically at least.
These people are willing to give up their privacy. They got famous and are now well known among the crowds, especially in the USA. They are even chased by the paparazzi. Every newspaper wants to have their new pictures. Photos from Kim’s wedding were sold for 1,5 millions of dollars! Can you imagine? It's absolutely crazy.
So why do people watch it? And I am sure they are because as I mentioned earlier the show is developing. Maybe they want to chill out, they don't have to think at all while watching something like that or maybe the society is getting more and more stupid?
What do you think about this phenomenon? Why are reality shows becoming more popular these days? And most importantly: Do you watch them? Be honest guys:P
Here you have some links where you can watch this reality show.
I don't watch any reality show. I watched once Big Brother, because all of my friends were doing that, but I didn't understand the concept. I still don't. There's no such a thing, as a reality show. Everything is directed somehow, when you see same scene from different points of camera view you know, it's been taken few times. So, no reality, just repeating same things, over and over again.
ReplyDeleteSad part is, that lot's of people believe in those kind of things. I played few times in Ukryta Prawda, once I killed off another character, and I've met a woman in a shop, who wouldn't sell me anything because, and I quote "I'm a murderers, and people like those should rot in jail, and die there in most pajnful way". That's.... weird, at least.....
Sometimes, I do watch reality shows! It's quite funny to jump from serious VICE documentaries and movies by David Lynch to such kind of cr... You know what I mean. It's the same reason why I've read the Twilight saga right after few evenings with the Noblists or listened to the newest Britney single between yass sessions. I guess I just want to me informed - as I personally prefer the more "cultural" approach to media, I want to know what all the brag is about. That's the reason I've watched Warsaw Shore recently and, to be honest, I laughed a lot. There's nothing funnier than people that sign an agreement to take a part in reality show full of partying, sex and vodka and their tears after reading some opinions in the Internet. Oh, how I laughed! :)
ReplyDeleteI guess it's not bad to comfort your brain with a mild, dumb stimulants after hard learning sessions. I use online TVs to watch some stupid stuff everytime I draw something very engaging and challenging. I don't have to look at the second screen to know what's going on (everyone is screaming, at least in American reality shows).
The only thing I try to do is [whispering, small font, don't read that mr policeman] avoiding legal sources. I can laugh privately, but I won't give them more applause :)
Everyone saw an episode or two of some reality show, it seems to be truly impossible to avoid it.
ReplyDeleteWhat people may find compelling in such shows is the power to make the viewers feel as if they were part of the program. Ordinary people can vote for some participants of the show, they decide (even if only theoretically) if they stay or leave the program.
Such shows are exceeding to a high degree the limit of physical and mental endurance. Viewers like to watch fear, sex, danger. And, what may be of more significance, they like to feel better about themselves while watching drunk teenagers with no perspective, problems of exactly-as-in-your-neighbourhood-family or some one-show celebirties bragging about their champagnes and porshes. They can feel better about their regular, 'boring' life.
Some people also like to fantasize about becoming a celebrity. When they watch 'ordinary men' becoming famous because of some show, they dream about themselves doing exactly the same. And then fame seems to be just at their fingertips.
Reality shows are simple entertainment that proliferated a bit too much and gained too much attention. Sometimes maybe people should take some time to reflect why they are watching such a program. I'm sure that after some thinking a lot of them would change the channel.
The last reality show that I watched was the polish edition of Big Brother. It was on TV when I was in a primary school. I loved it! The confession room was great ☺ I watched every single episode of the first and the second season. In my school we even played characters from the show. It was the only topic during school breaks.
ReplyDeleteGenerally people are curies and want to know everything about others. I think it is one of the reasons that the reality shows are becoming more popular. Fans of reality shows probably have boring life. Whereas, in reality shows people have lots of friends, money and incredible adventures. They are characters that others dream to become.
Others watch it for pure entertainment. They think they are smarter and make fun of the characters in the shows.
In my opinion they are definitely psychological traps. It is possible that I just don't understand the reality show. It is neither a source of knowledge, or relaxation. It's just a waste of time. If I remember right career based on a reality show has achieved for example by Marcin Najman. It was not long and dream career :).
ReplyDeleteAlthough if we assume that no matter what they say, it's important that they speak about you, then is the way to fame :)
Popularity of reality shows brings one sad thought - most of people prefer really mundane level of entertainment. I don't say that I'm an exception, normally I don't watch any shows in tv but from time to time it's nice to watch something so stupid that up funny. I wonder if people that makes the show (actors?), even sometimes, mind the fact that half of the country - in case of local show, like mentioned Warsaw Shore, or half of the world population- Kardashian example, know so many private details about them and follow their every move.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know who Kim Kardashian is… I hear this name for the first time. Maybe because I don’t watch reality shows? I don’t even own a TV set!
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that some people are famous just because they’re famous :D
The world revolves around stars that don’t achieve anything. They have no influence on art, culture or science. No one will remember them in a couple of years, because they don’t even star in movies – just TV programs that we soon forget.
Of course, when the first Big Brother was on TV, I watched it at first– haven’t we all? But it was more than ten years ago! Not to mention that I was a kid back then. Besides, viewers were interested – it was something new.
But now? Why still watch it? I think we, as society, should grow out of such primitive entertainment.
I stayed in the Big Brother and it's good enough for me.
ReplyDeleteFascinated by the everyday life of others is shallow for me. I denies such projects but we can see there is demand for it in humans.
"famous just because they’re famous" awesome :D
It refers to the title of the topic. In my opinion this is a way of life. Selling your privacy is a thing of choice. Some people prefer to remain anonymous and do their own thing in life others want to be on the cover.
Everything is how it nicely says, a matter of taste
Oh my god! I hate reality shows. So fake, so stupid. Hate it so much. It is just a shame that it is everywhere offering nothing but mundane, albeit cleverly edited, repetitive episodes and terrible role models.
ReplyDeleteOne can't doubt its appeal and addictiveness but it leads into a culture where young children aspire to be nothing but celebrities (and it doesn't matter what why or how).
It make me really sad when I see young people reflect their style and look. And wars of all.. those young people become their fanatics.
I don't think I'm the best person to answer this question, as I don't really watch TV anymore, as it seems to be a killer of precious free time. However, I think the reality shows are some of the worst things you can see on TV, going head in head with soap operas. I think they are so far from reality as possible. They are focused on extreme emotions and making people who aren't too smart believe that there are even less smart people somewhere ;-)
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, they are some of the worst forms of entertainment you can choose in your life, and if you watch them, you should stop or at least limit them as much as possible, as they are making you a less like-able person by distorting your view on reality and seeking extreme emotions - especially the bad ones subconsciously. That's at least what I think but as I said, I don't watch TV.
I think people who watch that kind of shows, are just stupid, or really boring... People in that kind of show do everything to get interest to them. Hoping making people likes them. Making idiots from theremself in hope making money.
ReplyDeleteThere are new show in polish tv too - "warsaw shore". I have... em... don't know how to say it... made finally to watch it.. and then i understand why i don't want to do it at first time xD They made sex everyone with everyone, and then cry, because someone sleep with someone different on the second day... And don't know that all materials will be in tv... because one of the girl are crying because her mother see what she did, how party and kissed with all men around...
Mayby it's good to watch it when drinking, on party. But there a lot of people who take it serious. Think that really happening, people are really like that. Try act like their favourite hero of show... And that is extremly stupid. I'm really happy sometimes i didn't have tv in my room.