Reality TV

I really enjoyed the documentary that we watched in class today. The main focus of the program was the impact of reality TV and television on society. I found it very interesting to see how both individuals and society in general are affected by reality television and the celebrity culture that we live in.

It was shocking to see ordinary American parents pushing their six-year-old child into a career on television. Providing him with only one single aspiration; to be famous. This can become an unhealthy obsession. The young boys parents were driving him for hours on end to attend a ten-minute audition, thus pushing aside their child’s homework and education. In my opinion they also seemed to be dressing their child slightly inappropriately. The boy’s mother was taking inspiration from rappers styles when putting together her child’s outfits. He was dressed like a stereotypical gangster and was seen having his photograph taken with women in bikinis. This defiantly seemed inappropriate, as the little boy was only six years old.

The documentary also showed young children all over the world, each group of children were asked if they wanted to be famous when they grow up. The results showed that the majority of children in each country all over the world raised their hand to say that they wanted to be famous. This is partly because of the films and television programs that these children watch every day. These programs preach the message that anyone, no matter what their circumstances or amount of talent can be famous and achieve success. This is leading children to believe that fame is in their reach, especially when they are at such an impressionable age. These TV programs do not reflect aspirations that are achievable. I think that it is dangerous to show fame as the only tool that will lead to happiness and success within life.

The program that we watched really did open my eyes to many things that I had never been aware of before. For example I had know idea about the whole controversy with Live Aid and the fact that the marches in Edinburgh were under reported. I also did not know that the majority of the money promised still has not been delivered to the people in need in Africa.

Although I was aware of how the press worked it was still strange to se that in the Miss Britain competition they set out to create their own controversy. People actually staged their own fake protests just to gain publicity and space in the press and newspapers. This seemed extremely bizarre, but as they say any press is good press.

Overall I really enjoyed the documentary, I felt as though it provided me with a real insight into the powerful tool that is celebrities and reality television.