This week I admit I did succumb to watching Jersey Shore—okay and I watched Real World Washington, D.C. and Frank the Entertainer A Basement Affair-–shh!, and although, I find these shows entertaining (acutually I find them absolutely hillarious), I also realize that reality TV  programming is alarming and, truthfully indicative of a much larger trend. However, much like a lone swimmer in the ocean, the cultural currents we are swimming in are not always evident (‘course, if you are on the shore or in a helicopter, you can easily see the ocean and it’s encompassing patterns). So here’s what I want you to respond to, feel free to nuance, refute or support any of what I pose here.

What larger lesson can we glean from the meglomania and absurdity of reality TV?

Need help coming up with a lesson….here are some ideas: Is it that it is human nature for us to “enjoy” watching a train wreck and if so why has reality tv proliferated in the past eight years and not before? Could it be that our society accepts impropriety as entertainment? Are we just fascinated with voyeurism? Perhaps it is the idea that we are all “stars” in our own “reality;” thus we unconsciously identify with the “stars” of these “reality” shows (for further evidence of this check your Facebook or myspace–who is the “star” of this site?).  If this is your take on the trend, make sure you define “star” and “reality.”  Perhaps since reality tv is actually scripted (see me if you want more info. on this) you could argue that “reality” tv presents a “reality” that is stereotypical and full of social and cultural stereotypes that are 1) simple to understand, 2)  easy to digest, and 3) basically set up so that the populace with the least intelligence (and most intolerance) can process it, which thus serves to further “dumb” down our nation,while simultaneously reinforcing social stereotypes and in return offering a certain amount of comfort (“Yes, your sterotypical notions are indeed right”)  to the audience. (OUCH! Vitriolic, I know!)

OR maybe there is nothing to our reality tv obsession, it is a fad, like any other fad, and it will fade into random obscurity only to be showcased twenty years from now in a V-H1 countdown show. There is a larger lesson to be learned, whatever you argue, back it up with a clear example that supports your ideas.

One thing you may want to do is  check the TV listings to see how much Reality TV dominates our viewing. Please respond before Friday, 1/22/2010 by 3:30 pm. Remember grammar, spelling,  punctuation counts–so proof before you post. Be clear, use solid examples to prove your point and be concise.  This is a dialogue so check back and read others’ responses and feel free to post multiple times.