The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
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| photo: All-ANTM |
There are various types of reality...let me name a few: dating competitions, renovations, makeovers, singing/dancing competitions, supernatural/paranormal, game shows, living/roommate environments, hidden camera, kid shows, etc. Is it the facination for seeing situations or drama unfold right before our eyes? How many times have we seen something happen and a crowd gathered around, or a neighbor who spends more time surveillancing the neighborhood from their porch, just waiting for something to happen. (Some may classify this as being nosy :p). Reality brings the facination to your t.v.screen without leaving your home. Similar to the social curcuit..without leaving their computer screen or mobile divice. Here are some of the good, bad and ugly of reality shows...
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| Photo: Convergentmediapr |
Believe it or not, some who appear on the shows have businesses and degrees under their belt. They lived a suitable life prior to the show. And, although there's negative criticsim and backlash accompanied with doing reality, some use it as a stepping stone and managed to build upward.
Fashion, makeup and jewelry lines comes first to mind. Let's take The Real Housewives of Atlanta for example. Kandi Burruss have a sex toy line, an online show, a couple boutiques, in the Atlanta area, and still earn ranks as one of the top female music producers/writers, as well as, an artist in her own right. Phardra Parks is a lawyer holding interest as a mortuary business, (according to the show) and maybe a couple more ventures. Cynthia Bailey-Thomas is a model and started The Cynthia Bailey Agency, as well as other ventures. Nene Leakes participated on Celebrity Apprentice, has done countless appearances, a book deal, reacurring roles on Glee and a new show starting soon (and who knows what else). Kim Zolciac-Biermann, a wig line, songs on itunes, ringtones, but pulled top bank meeting her husband (Kroy Biermann) and expanding her family...just to name a few.
But, the one show that really sticks out, above the rest goes to...wait for it...Keeping Up with the Kardashians.Ok, I know what you are thinking..."Please let there be something else on television worth watching." But, whether you love them, hate them or love to hate them, they've made a huge cash cow out of it. They've been in a position to renegotiate their contracts for more seasons. With more seasons comes popularity which equals to; more endorsements deals, skincare line, nail polish, weightloss products, fashion line, perfume, domestic items, shoes, jewelry, book deals etc...Kardashian overload whew! Yeah I get it, but on the flip side millions of viewers still tune in to watch. Which results in their high demand and lucrative lifestyle.There is that debate of "scripted or non-scripted."
The Bad is how the cast are depicted on the shows, which results in the show's criticism.
(Scripted). The executive producers/writers for these shows may or may not give actual scripts, but may create certain scenarios for them to play off of. Watching a scene where cast members are waking up in the morning with full fledge make up...umm yeah. Shooting locations etc. are planned ahead of time, so the networks must get permission to do so. It would be expensive to have camera/production crew standing around waiting for something to happen. I have yet to see where the owner or manager of a business comes running in front of the cameras screaming "What are you doing, you can't film here, I'm calling the police!" Also, misleading viewers via editing room may up the ratings, but it also put viewers under a false impression and depending on how it's edit, will make many look outrageous on all levels.
(Non-scripted). Now if you say something like "Cheaters or Cops," where the cameras are in the actions, up close and personal, even running sometimes trying to catch up to the action. Then it might not be scripted. The host of Cheaters was stabbed on one episode but I never heard him say, "Ok, turn off the cameras, this is 'really real', and you was suppose to swing the knife that way..like we did in rehearsal." LOL. Hey maybe they edit that out too.
The Ugly is how, depending on the show, counseling is readily available for those going through emotional tides. On one hand, it's good to have, but sad due to the degree of affectivity it brings on some. For a measure of precaution, the ambulance are on standby as well. The exploitation of children, for many, is taking it way too far and yet, the ratings continue to climb to amazing heights.
Each season brings more twist and turns than the last. There is always one incident that sticks out more than others, being labeled the best reality moment of that season. Also, there been a few reports of past/recent members being killed, as a result of the shows, which is one ugly part of it.
For shows that get the green light for another season, viewers can expect to see the same drama unfold. They may change locations, exotic get-a-ways, or change cast members, but the drama normally follows. Ever wondered why some cast mates did'nt return for another season? Well, some speculations are contractual discrepancies, monotonous charactoristics, etc. Many simply, after one show or one season, realized the show wasn't a good fit for them. It's the constant following of cameras in your face, being thrown into situations with people, whom you never met, tring to get along and vibe with. Before long, personalities began to clash and cattiness kicks in. Cast membors endure these conditions for about 3-4 months, give or take a month. At the end of the day, if given an opportunity, some will jump at a chance for their 15 minutes. Others say they have too much self-respect and standards to let a reality show devalue their character. As long as ratings continue to grow, the networks/programming directors will continue to air them.
**Google: Reality t.v secrets revealed for more info.
**Credits: Pic 3. (Hollywood PR) Pic 4. Rob Lee, Pic 5. (Pennstatelive)
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