What Is the Relationship between Reality TV and Society?

The precise nature of the relationship between reality TV and society as a whole is a complicated issue which has many aspects. Basically speaking, the television viewing public’s desire to watch reality television indicates that people may prefer to watch more relatable people on television and gain valuable social information from the events played out on reality television. It could also be argued that reality television is a symptom of a society more interested in having 15 minutes of fame than actually expanding their mind or horizons.

Many different types of reality television programs exist, but most either follow ordinary people in their lives and jobs; renovate or makeover a person, possession, or home; or pit people against each other in some form of competition. Some reality TV shows are talent searches, where ordinary people get an opportunity to showcase their talent and chase the dream of fame. Other reality TV programs pit people against each other in a game show-type scenario. The link between reality TV and society can be understood by thinking about these different types of program.

Game show reality TV shows put people in difficult positions, and the viewing audience generally enjoys the discomfort the people go through, even sometimes voting for who goes through the trial. This combination of difficult tasks and social pressure allows people to judge the correct way to deal with similar social situations and take on tasks that they do not wish to complete. Some reality TV shows are more like social experiments that allow viewers to watch as a group of strangers begins to interact socially. Reality TV is interconnected with society because it gives us the ability to watch and learn from the social mistakes of others.

Talent search reality television programs present a different view of the relationship between reality TV and society. While reality TV does arguably give people relatable characters to watch, it also fosters in some people a belief that they could be famous. Contestants on talent search reality TV shows often believe that becoming a celebrity is the main goal of life, whether it is for the attention or the money. Many people have suggested that the connection between reality TV and society is that people are more interested in money and fame than in things which are actually important. This and similar lines of reasoning have led some to believe that reality TV is a symptom of the corruption of our desires and the superficial nature of modern society.