Today we talked about the dark side of reality TV. The dark side refers to the negative moments or situations someone goes through while being filmed in front of an audience. Reality TV is not always a place that a person would like to “escape” to. For example, in the show “Keeping up with the Kardashians”, both Chloe and Courtney find out that their boyfriends are cheating on them. What type of guy would do such a thing? This is an experience I would personally hate to go through in front of an audience. TV has caught many people at vulnerable times in their life. I know that they signed up for the show, and they knew what they were getting themselves in to, but did they really? When they signed the contract, they were signing all their privacy over with it. Sometimes I feel like when people do reality TV shows, they sign over actually being a “person” because we all sometimes forget that they are REAL people and not characters in a movie.
Also, today we watched clips from the reality TV show Black.White. I had never seen or heard of this show before, and I thought it was very interesting. This show was about an African-American family and white family switching races. The African-American family turned white, and the white family turned black. Each member of the families got to go out and experience what it was like to be a part of another race. These families also lived in the same house for a couple of weeks. Some differences I saw were that when the white family turned black they were very happy about their appearance, while the black family was not so impressed. Also, the black family had to give the white family lessons on being “black”. When the white mother asked if the black family needed lessons the black mother declined because they knew how to act like white people because they have had to interact with white people their whole life. Ms. Murray went on to talk about how the white man who was turned into a black man was declined from getting a loan. I thought this show was different because it put these people in the other races shoes and helped them realize that there was still discrimination in the world today. A few questions I thought would be good for every one to think about are:
How do you think your life would change if you were on reality TV? Would it be for the best?
What are some negative aspects you would have to face if you were on TV 24/7? Is it worth it?
By: Christina
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Antonio Mignott says: I think my life would change to the degree that I would try my hardest not to play into the stereotypes. I honestly think it would be for the best though. I belive I could be a good representation for a black man on reality tv. The only negative thing I would face is losing my privacy for a season, I think my family might be affected as well because my life is their life too. It could possibly display family problems that they don't want to be out in the public. But I personally think its worth it if you can handle it; and I think I can.
ReplyDeleteFor example, we discussed the reality TV show John & Kate Plus 8. I think it is just a shame how public their "personal" lives are now. On television, they seemed to have it all-a nice house, a family, religion, money. Only recently do we find out that they are actually REAL people, with REAL problems! Wow!! (Sarcastically) Come on, people! I go into Barnes & Noble and all I see are tabloids talking about what a "bi*** Kate was to her husband and friends." I bet those malicious statements are really helping her marriage right now! (Sarcastic comment again!) ;)
ReplyDeleteBack to the topic, I think that people need to be more wary of what they are getting themselves into. Yes, you may have your 15 minutes of fame, minor photo shoots, and in "New York's" case, follow-up reality shows where you can continue to make a fool of yourself! I admit I watch her shows. BUT I am laughing AT her...and there's meaning behind that. Subjecting yourself to public display of any kind automatically subjects you to being forever judged by the media, and by regular people like me. Just remember, everything that you do [in Hollywood] in the DARK, will come to the LIGHT! ;)
--Tiffany D. Spencer
One REALity that anyone who subjects himself/herself to being filmed for reality TV is that their life is no longer their own. Although they would eventually gain their 15 minutes of fame from exploiting themselves on television, what are the long-term benefits? I think that in this case, the cost of fame outweigh the overall rewards.
ReplyDeleteFor example, we discussed the reality TV show John & Kate Plus 8. I think it is just a shame how public their "personal" lives are now. On television, they seemed to have it all-a nice house, a family, religion, money. Only recently do we find out that they are actually REAL people, with REAL problems! Wow!! (Sarcastically) Come on, people! I go into Barnes & Noble and all I see are tabloids talking about what a "bi*** Kate was to her husband and friends." I bet those malicious statements are really helping her marriage right now! (Sarcastic comment again!) ;)
Back to the topic, I think that people need to be more wary of what they are getting themselves into. Yes, you may have your 15 minutes of fame, minor photo shoots, and in "New York's" case, follow-up reality shows where you can continue to make a fool of yourself! I admit I watch her shows. BUT I am laughing AT her...and there's meaning behind that. Subjecting yourself to public display of any kind automatically subjects you to being forever judged by the media, and by regular people like me. Just remember, everything that you do [in Hollywood] in the DARK, will come to the LIGHT! ;)
--Tiffany D. Spencer
To get your 15 minutes of fame, you don't realize the collateral damage that occurs on your fast track to stardom. People appear in reality tv for various reasons, whether fortune, fame, or both. No one really takes the time to realize that cameras aren't bias, but editors are. I see reality tv like I see marriage with a prenup. The contracts are ususally ironclad and mostly benefit the reality show.All you can do is hope that they have your best interest in mind and won't hurt you. You get your 15 minutes but at what cost? In class we discussed how would it change your life if we were on reality tv? After thinking about how fabolous it would be to gain the financial rewards, how would my friends and family be portrayed? New Yorks mom seems to be the perfect example. Is she acting or is it for real? Would you want your mom portrayed that way? If not, ask yourself what control would you have over what is shown to the public? Your family and friends are an extension of you and will be there when the show and momentary celebrity vanishes. Before making those type of decisions, one should ask themselves who else could be affected.
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