Reality TV: 3-1

           For this week’s pop culture topic I will be discussing reality television and what are the thoughts of others. I know it may be on the outskirts of the targeted material but I believe that it is a relevant pop culture topic in today’s society. I know that there are many people, who enjoy it, but I don’t see how and I would like to express my reasons why.   

First of all, popular culture is defined as the system of attitudes, behavior patterns, customs, tastes, and beliefs (Browne, 2005).It also states that it is the entertainment, diversions, icons, rituals, and actions that shape a society’s everyday world (Browne, 2005).  This verifies that reality TV would follow under this category because it is a source of entertainment that shapes society and the world we live in, or at least in this country. For example, you have these reality shows with people being overweight, and to me that is wrong. Why would you put someone on TV who is just exercising, but yet America loves to tune in on this type of event.

Another one that comes to my mind and which I cannot stand is Jersey Shore. I think that show should not be allowed on the air. It demeans women and put a stereotypical image on men and women as well. The people who watch this sort of stuff may think that it’s ok to act that certain way because the people on TV are doing it. I believe that show itself makes society and everyone who watches it a dumber and dumber each time it is viewed.  The viewer’s of these shows, and even shows like Man. Vs. Wild believe that it is ok to go out and portray the images that they see and it effects the society by doing so. If people hang on to the belief that this is the way things should be, or even if they believe that the stuff is real, because it’s not, it’s all setup like a soap opera, then they will begin to exhibit similar patterns and behaviors. In my opinion, these behaviors and patterns should not be repeated because in the end we will suffer from becoming too arrogant and bullhead.

Again these are my own personal thoughts about the topic and I have been dying to get that off my chest. Please feel free to respond if you think the same or differently.Everyone has their own opinion.