"Reality" Television

One recently developed media genre is the genre of Reality Television. From classics like "Survivor," in which people compete for a cash prize while stranded on a desert island, to a show in its first season, "The Biggest Loser" (overweight people competing to see who can loose the greatest amount of weight throughout the season), reality TV has quickly pervaded American media and entertainment. While the topics and premises of these shows come in myriad forms, they all follow some basic formulas.

First, almost every one of these shows takes place in an exotic or luxurious location. Project Runway takes place right in downtown New York City and Survivor strands contestants on a tropical, remote island. Both ends of the spectrum capture viewers' attention and offering them and "escape" from reality (and ironic plus from a genre titled "reality television") The settings also always afford drama and romance. On the Real World season set in Las Vegas, the housemates lived in the top floor of the Palms hotel right in the heart of Sin City. That in and of itself invites drama, but the layout of the house further encourages naughty behavior. Not only was there a hot tub in the middle of the living room, but there is a giant community bathroom in which they are put in close quarters while they are scantily clad.

Another landmark feature of the reality television is scripted roles and character personna. Males are usually portrayed as intelligent and leaders. Women, on the other hand are often seen as manipulative and catty or as sexual objects. There are also expected roles on each show as well. Usually there is a host or judges of some kind that serve almost as a Greek chorus. The shows also tend to have an underdog character, whom the audience usually really likes.

Regardless of whether or not you are a fan of reality TV, you have to admit that it's made an impact on American society.