There is no doubt that reality TV shows have become a major part of our culture considering how popular they have become among the mass audience and their impact on our society in general.
Whether it's a competition show or following the lives of our favorite celebrities, it has become a massive form of entertainment for many people and a reflection of where our culture is currently at today.
Let's explore what reality TV says about our culture below.
Reality TV's Impact on Our Culture
Just like a film or scripted TV series, reality shows are now considered to be a serious form of entertainment for many consumers worldwide, especially now that it has become more accessible with streaming.
The number one question that it now poses is what it says about our culture and whether we are better for it or not. The answer might be too complicated or too debatable to consider the merits of reality TV, but it is an interesting discussion nonetheless.
Sociologist Danielle Lindemann argued that reality TV is always "primed to reveal" who we are as a society as the people that we see on screen are reflections of real-life people.
Whether it's a "guilty pleasure" or "trashy" show, there is no denying that reality shows are capable of grappling with several societal themes such as inequality by race, class, gender, and sexuality or cultural contradictions.
Reality TV shows have also taught us that there is more beyond the stereotypes such as the drag community through the popularity of RuPaul's Drag Race.
However, we should also consider that manipulations and orchestrated narratives can also happen in reality shows as they always need to present a certain idea to the audience without any real nuances.
It could all be complicated in general, but we can acknowledge that reality TV shows are always reflections of "real life" in general and a mirror of certain factions of society that we might not be familiar with.
How Reality TV Has Changed Our Culture
While there is no denying that reality TV shows say a lot about our culture, they have also reshaped our society and culture for better or worse.
The most popular example that can be cited is The Apprentice which then-future POTUS Donald Trump hosted. Some have argued that the series paved the way for his popularity in culture and that he was elected by people to take the highest position of power in the United States.
We have also seen examples such as Kim Kardashian, who has become one of the richest celebrities and top influences thanks to her growing social media presence and consistent tabloid presence. It all wouldn't have happened without her popular reality TV series.
As Lindemann stated in her book, "For all of its extreme personalities and outlandish premises, reality TV reflects how regressive we truly are."
TV critic Judy Berman also shared the sentiment in her article that examined reality TV's reshaping of our culture: "It’s a measure of the profound impact these charming hams, malignant narcissists, and the bizarre situations they keep choosing to inhabit have had on our world, for better and worse."
Reality TV's impact on our culture will continue to go on for many years as long as it's popular and it is here to stay for now, even if it is being held accountable for some of the outlandish societal results that have come from it.
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