Not So Reality TV
Abby Lee Miller of Dance Moms screams at her dancers as they beautifully prance around the stage. The latest Bachelor cries over the decision between two women he barely knows. A new Bridezilla storms about her perfect wedding, cursing and screaming at her family while they are only trying to help. Shows like these are the new standard for reality television. In the article entitled “Reality TV Has Lowered Standards for Television and Society as a Whole,” author James Wolcott, blogger for Vanity Fair, addresses the issue of the continually lowered standards of reality television; he accurately analyzes the problems with reality television stars being treated unfairly, the amount of impulsivity in the actors, and the superior feelings in viewers.
Reality television has completely ruined television’s standards and continues to get worse because of bad acting and forced drama. James Wolcott mentions that fake acting has ruined the documentary; now, what is considered to be a documentary is random people faking some dramatic, life-threatening event. More pressing problems are that the actors and actresses in the reality shows are given little-to-no pay and are given alcohol to enhance their emotions. Alcohol gives the actors an unpredictable nature, but the drinks make for an entertaining show when the actors do the unexpected. Also, most of reality television is based on angry and spiteful people. Walcott mentions, “Someone says something unconstructive— ‘That outfit makes her look like a load’—and ping! comes the reaction shot, indicating the poison dart has struck home” (qtd. in Wolcott par. 10). Comments like this cause a wild reaction in the already frustrated stars and can cause an explosion of emotions. In addition, channels that used to actually be entertaining have become all about the fake drama reality television shows entail. Wolcott believes this is because these shows are cheaper to make than shows that need actual sets and have actors that expect to be paid well. Finally, the presence of the cameras cause these people to act out to get attention and to put on a good show; most of the dramatic events aren’t real. The stars finally get pushed too far and have a breakdown that is taped from every humiliating angle. These reasons, along with many others, are why reality television has ruined the standards of what television used to be.
First, Wolcott discusses the unfair treatment of the actors and actresses that are the stars of the reality shows. Edward Wyatt, reporter for the New York Times explains, "With no union representation, participants on reality series are not covered by Hollywood workplace rules governing meal breaks, minimum time off between shoots or even minimum wages… Most of them, in fact, receive little to no pay for their work" (qtd. in Wolcott par. 7). I believe that the participants in the reality shows should be treated fairly and should receive the same benefits that any other actor would attain. The actors and actresses are purposefully not treated fairly to agitate them. In return, the producers can expect that agitation to show on camera and be pleasing to an audience. For example, I watch the popular reality show, The Bachelor. In this show, the women are trying so hard to get a man they barely know to marry them. These marriages usually only last a few months before I read the drama of their messy divorces all over the tabloids while in line at the grocery store. I can feel the ingenuity when I’m watching; I believe this ingenuity grows from the fact that the actors know they won’t be paid well for their time.
Next, Wolcott goes on to point out that the reality stars act with an absence of manners and a complete lack of respect for their fellow actors. Wolcott says, “Good manners and decorum are anathema to Reality TV, where impulsivity swings for the fences” (Wolcott par. 9). Actors have said that in reality television shows they are given alcohol to enhance their crazy behaviors. I can’t see how forcing the actors to drink could be legal, but the stars seem to comply. They want to conform and become what the producers want them to be, so they act insane just to put on a show. As I’ve seen in many different shows, the actors fight and argue over silly matters. They don’t act civil to one another but throw out insulting comments to make the others angry and wild.
Another argument that Wolcott makes is that reality television allows for the viewers of the show to feel like they are better than the actors. Wolcott blatantly states, “In the voyeurism of Reality TV, the viewer's passivity is kept intact, pampered and massaged and force-fed Chicken McNuggets of carefully edited snippets that permit him or her to sit in easy judgment and feel superior at watching familiar strangers make fools of themselves. Reality TV looks in only one direction: down” (Wolcott par. 12). The spectators of reality television are given falsehoods of what life is like. Dance studios are not run by dictators like on Dance Moms, and most brides don’t scream at people like on Bridezillas. After having been in both situations, I can vouch for that. These actors are only acting and do so to get attention. Meanwhile, I get to sit on my couch and feel like my life is much better because it isn’t like those crazy people that are putting on a show.
James Wolcott’s article “Reality TV Has Lowered Standards for Television and Society as a Whole” lays out the growing problems in reality television shows. These shows have set new standards for not only television, but also for the people watching. It is clear that Wolcott feels that reality television is becoming ludicrous; the growing problems of actors being treated unfairly, stars acting impulsively, and viewer superiority need to be addressed.
Works Cited
Wolcott, James. “Reality TV Has Lowered the Standards for Television and Society as a Whole.” Gale Group, Gale Group, 2013,
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/viewpointsdetailspage/viewpointsdetailswindow?
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Reality television has completely ruined television’s standards and continues to get worse because of bad acting and forced drama. James Wolcott mentions that fake acting has ruined the documentary; now, what is considered to be a documentary is random people faking some dramatic, life-threatening event. More pressing problems are that the actors and actresses in the reality shows are given little-to-no pay and are given alcohol to enhance their emotions. Alcohol gives the actors an unpredictable nature, but the drinks make for an entertaining show when the actors do the unexpected. Also, most of reality television is based on angry and spiteful people. Walcott mentions, “Someone says something unconstructive— ‘That outfit makes her look like a load’—and ping! comes the reaction shot, indicating the poison dart has struck home” (qtd. in Wolcott par. 10). Comments like this cause a wild reaction in the already frustrated stars and can cause an explosion of emotions. In addition, channels that used to actually be entertaining have become all about the fake drama reality television shows entail. Wolcott believes this is because these shows are cheaper to make than shows that need actual sets and have actors that expect to be paid well. Finally, the presence of the cameras cause these people to act out to get attention and to put on a good show; most of the dramatic events aren’t real. The stars finally get pushed too far and have a breakdown that is taped from every humiliating angle. These reasons, along with many others, are why reality television has ruined the standards of what television used to be.
First, Wolcott discusses the unfair treatment of the actors and actresses that are the stars of the reality shows. Edward Wyatt, reporter for the New York Times explains, "With no union representation, participants on reality series are not covered by Hollywood workplace rules governing meal breaks, minimum time off between shoots or even minimum wages… Most of them, in fact, receive little to no pay for their work" (qtd. in Wolcott par. 7). I believe that the participants in the reality shows should be treated fairly and should receive the same benefits that any other actor would attain. The actors and actresses are purposefully not treated fairly to agitate them. In return, the producers can expect that agitation to show on camera and be pleasing to an audience. For example, I watch the popular reality show, The Bachelor. In this show, the women are trying so hard to get a man they barely know to marry them. These marriages usually only last a few months before I read the drama of their messy divorces all over the tabloids while in line at the grocery store. I can feel the ingenuity when I’m watching; I believe this ingenuity grows from the fact that the actors know they won’t be paid well for their time.
Next, Wolcott goes on to point out that the reality stars act with an absence of manners and a complete lack of respect for their fellow actors. Wolcott says, “Good manners and decorum are anathema to Reality TV, where impulsivity swings for the fences” (Wolcott par. 9). Actors have said that in reality television shows they are given alcohol to enhance their crazy behaviors. I can’t see how forcing the actors to drink could be legal, but the stars seem to comply. They want to conform and become what the producers want them to be, so they act insane just to put on a show. As I’ve seen in many different shows, the actors fight and argue over silly matters. They don’t act civil to one another but throw out insulting comments to make the others angry and wild.
Another argument that Wolcott makes is that reality television allows for the viewers of the show to feel like they are better than the actors. Wolcott blatantly states, “In the voyeurism of Reality TV, the viewer's passivity is kept intact, pampered and massaged and force-fed Chicken McNuggets of carefully edited snippets that permit him or her to sit in easy judgment and feel superior at watching familiar strangers make fools of themselves. Reality TV looks in only one direction: down” (Wolcott par. 12). The spectators of reality television are given falsehoods of what life is like. Dance studios are not run by dictators like on Dance Moms, and most brides don’t scream at people like on Bridezillas. After having been in both situations, I can vouch for that. These actors are only acting and do so to get attention. Meanwhile, I get to sit on my couch and feel like my life is much better because it isn’t like those crazy people that are putting on a show.
James Wolcott’s article “Reality TV Has Lowered Standards for Television and Society as a Whole” lays out the growing problems in reality television shows. These shows have set new standards for not only television, but also for the people watching. It is clear that Wolcott feels that reality television is becoming ludicrous; the growing problems of actors being treated unfairly, stars acting impulsively, and viewer superiority need to be addressed.
Works Cited
Wolcott, James. “Reality TV Has Lowered the Standards for Television and Society as a Whole.” Gale Group, Gale Group, 2013,
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/viewpointsdetailspage/viewpointsdetailswindow?
disablehighlighting=&displaygroupname=viewpoints&currpage=&dviselectedpage=&scanid=&query=&prodid=&search_within
_results=&p=ovic&mode=view&catid=&limiter=&display-
query=&displaygroups=&contentmodules=&action=e&sortby=&documentid=gale%7cej3010307237&windowstate=normal
&activitytype=&failovertype=&commentary=&source=bookmark&u=chil38234&jsid=4a74caac35817af5d336019ac86cfb93.