Reality shows are one of the best oxymorons in pop culture. The only thing that seems to be real is the fact that human beings are on the television. One of the first contestant based reality dating shows is The Bachelor. It seemed innocent enough, one ridiculously rich man chooses from a number of good-looking, attention seeking women. They were routed for and against, but only one was chosen as his “true love” at the end of the show. Is this all the closure the viewers need at the end of a season? Apparently it is enough; several shows have since spawned from this idea. But is it actually believable? After a couple weeks of awkward and unreal circumstance he chose to be with her for the rest of his life? Should these shows even be toying with the concept of love so freely?
Young viewers are easily influenced by what they see on television. A hipper, younger reality dating show like Daisy of Love can lead those with less experience in the dating world to use that as a model for themselves. The men are reckless and lustful and the women are loose and dramatic. There is certainly a great chance that these situations act as representations of how relationships are supposed to be.
Reality dating shows do not reflect reality whatsoever. People do not live in a house for eight weeks together competing for one person’s affection. People do not go on group dates, and they do not go through “challenges” where contestants have to fight against each other for a chance at a date.
Reality shows should not be dubbed “reality.” The only thing that differentiates these shows from others is that there are no official actors, supposedly no script, and there is no ongoing plot or storyline. Is the American public aware of the lack of creativity and intelligence these shows emit? Maybe it doesn’t matter, the shows continue to be made and we continue to watch.
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