Reality TV! Really?

Every now and again, I will do or say something that will really show my age. Recently in a mixed group of people--age, culture, family and non-family I made the statement “I am not a reality TV junkie and I really don‘t understand the appeal“. Everyone in the room who happened to be under 30-years-old turned on me. I was quick to point out that there are a few that I will tune into on occasion and actually enjoy--”American Idol“ , “American’s Got Talent“, Dancing with the Stars“ “Keeping up with the Kardashians” and “The Apprentice”. Having said that I was allowed to remain in the room and participate in the conversation with my dignity still in tact…LOL. Once things in the room calmed down we each took turns talking about the shows we watch and why. These are the one I watch from time to time:

American Idol--because it is fun to watch these young people transform themselves each week and perform the genre of music they are assigned. The “it” factor is what the judges look for as much as the talent. The judges give their opinion but it is the viewer’s votes that keep contestants moving forward in the competition. I watch of and on throughout the season but really become engaged when they are down to the final 7 or 8 contestants.

America’s Got Talent--because it showcase “ordinary” people with incredible talent who may not have “the look” or the “it“ factor. Think about it---there are millions of people, who can sing or dance your socks off, and the world may never get to know them. American’s Got Talent may close the gap just a little for them. I usually catch this one 2 or 3 times during the season run.

Dancing with the Stars--I love ballroom dancing. I tune into this one mostly because I like watching the professionals. There have been a few of the dance celebrity/professional partners that I have really, really enjoyed and have produced some great dance routine. However, if truth be told, my motivation is watching the professional. I can’t hold a dance move in a bucket but I love pretending that I am an excellent dancers. Living vicariously through them isn‘t all bad because any time Alex Mazo, Maksim Chmerkovskiy or Tony Dovolani want to twirl me around the dance floor I‘m ok with that. This one I watch from first show to last. I’ve missed a few over the years but not many.

Keeping up with the Kardashians--- this one was intriguing when I learned Bruce Jenner was the stepfather and the late Robert Kardashian was the father (of the famous OJ Simpson trial team). The series is about the blended family of the Kardashians and Jenner children with the major focus on the Kardashian sisters--Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney. True to reality TV style there is enough drama and fighting to keep those with short attention spans interested but in the end, you know they are family and they are there for each other and in many ways, they can be a “class” act. I watch periodically, usually during a repeat episode during the week.

The Apprentice--a Donald Trump show. Yes, there is drama and conflict, but it allows you to see how people with different personalities and backgrounds, work together and follow or not follow directions in order to make their team the winner. There are seasons when I have watched every show and others when I tune in on a whim. I also like the Celebrity Apprentice and will tune in from time to time.

Ice Road Trucker is my 10-year-old grandson’s favor show. I begin watching this show because Dalton asked me to watch with him. I soon learned to like it and to watch how the truckers conquered their fears and made it work. The stars are real truckers carrying major equipment to remote areas of Alaska over, you go it, ice roads. It is extremely dangerous and competitive. The trucker, who hauls the most loads, during the ice season, gets the biggest paycheck. I have watched them all with my grandson. It is our quiet time together because I am not allowed to talk during the program--LOL.

It was very surprising that many of the people in the room also watched the particular programs just mentioned. Some other favorites were Survivor, Amazing Race, Real World, Jersey Shore, Housewives of Orange County, New Jersey, New York, and Atlanta and everywhere else the housewives are showing up these days. There were also the model and designer shows, cooking, home improvement and a few others.

 I said to the group that as much as I admit to watching these shows, I would much rather get lost in a movie or TV show that help me escape the craziness of reality. I would much rather get lost in a good book and get transported to another place and another time. Several people did agree but also admitted that the reality shows are addictive and once they start watching it was hard not too. OK, I get that, but there are good addictions and addictions that are not so good; and addictions are also hard to break.

The discussion was lively and fun, but even during moments of disagreement, everyone was courteous and respectful of the other person’s opinions. Emily Post once said, “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.”

We have become a society of rude, cruel, bullying and unkind people. Being considerate of another’s’ feelings “sensitive awareness” seems to be, very much, a thing of the past? Is TV, reality TV in particular, doing this to us? Are we raising a generation of kids with no manners? Is “please” and “thank you” becoming obsolete?

“Garbage in, garbage out”! “Pick your friends very carefully”! “There will always be someone or something to rob you of your joy”! “Your least favorite color should be beige!” These and other “pearls or wisdom” was spoken to me often by my mother from the time I can remember. I did not always understand but as I grew in both age and experience my understanding also grew.

Reality TV has turned seemingly ordinary people into millionaire stars. They are learning how to push the audience buttons and deliver conflict and drama to keep us tuning in. We are learning and allowing our children to learn to be rude, crude, unpleasant and often salvage in behavior. Everyone is losing any “sensitive awareness” that may have been present. Children are not born with these behaviors, they are learned and parents are the first teachers and should monitor their learning throughout their young lives.

Instead of barbarians at the gate, there are barbarians in the house, in the classroom, and in the workplace. Do we really want to live this way? I’m just saying!

They call it Reality TV---Really??????

I say, let’s rethink reality and please, let’s rethink Reality TV…Really!!!!!!

Would love to hear from you and what you think. What’s your favorite reality show and why? What your favorite TV show and why?

Love to all,

Nonna