Causes of Reality Television
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Causes of Reality Television
Throughout the past four years, reality television has exploded into the media making it impossible to turn on the TV, listen to the radio, surf the internet, or read a magazine without seeing some reference to a reality program. America can not wait to find out who will get kicked off the island, who Trista will marry, or the identity of the next American Idol. Reality TV encompasses many types of programs including makeover shows, remodeling programs, talent competition, contest and game shows, voyeuristic programs that follow the daily lives of unknown people, and dating shows. A basic principle of reality TV is "if it can be done it will, and we will watch every moment" (Reality Television - fad and phenomenon, 2004).
Reality TV is not a new concept and has been around for many years in the form of game shows, talent shows, and talk shows. Star Search was a very popular show in the 1980's but doesn't begin to compare to the craze of American Idol. The Dating Game was popular for many years but fails in comparison to the popularity of The Bachelor or The Bachelorette. Even the voyeuristic Real World has been a very popular program on MTV for over ten years. So, what has caused the pervasiveness of reality television into our culture now? The causes of Reality TV's rise in popularity is due to the voyeuristic viewers desire to see the shocking aspects of the lives of others, the psychological tendencies of people to identify with others who must make and break relationships, and the ability to attain instant celebrity through Reality TV...