Reality Television Conquering the T.V. Market

Ahh…America’s guilty pleasure. You know you’ve watched at least one. Sometimes you feel ashamed and when your friend or family member comes walking toward the room you  try to change the channel then end up finding out they like that show too. Reality television is and has become a television powerhouse, but why?

The idea of reality television has been out since the 1990’s but it wasn’t until the series, “Survivor” in the year 2000, that reality television shows became a cult hit for viewers. In their first episode they had about 15 million household viewers. By the season finale they reached 51.7 million viewers! After this, many production companies had a change of plans. Series out, and reality t.v. in! Even Fox Network, whom vowed months earlier to never air a reality show again, got hooked to the idea of getting their own reality show.

"Survivor" reached 51.7 million viewers by its season finale, thanks to them we live in a "Real World"

Most of the success of reality television is due to unique and unforgettable casts that bring plenty of “beef”. Wiki is quoted by saying “reality television frequently utilizes sensationalism to attract viewers, which means over-hyping events as being deliberately controversial to obtain attention. The fact is reality television is popping up everywhere. Who could forget Pumpkin chucking out her spit on the face of New York on the VH1 show “Flava Flave” or Snooki getting knocked out by a punch on Jersey Shore. These drama filled shows make our lives feel that much better. On a firm’s standpoint they love that they don’t have to pay for actors. They just hold an audition and get their cast!  People feel great knowing ordinary people and they themselves can be featured on a show to reach Hollywood fame.

 

 It’s even dusted off and revitalized some fame, i.e. Bret Michaels, (lead singer of poison) in “Rock of Love.”  Reality T.V. has got to the point to where it’s over featured, but people still enjoy it. If there’s any concept you can think of there is probably a reality T.V. show for it.  For crying out loud there are reality shows on men selling houses, worst cooks, and even how to get your boyfriend/girlfriend to stop being a tool. (Good concept to by the way.)