Palmer Events Center
Loves Reality TV, Happy to See Acosta Come Around
RECEIVED Mon., Feb. 23, 2004
Editor,
I was pleased to read that Belinda Acosta has come to terms with the best stuff on television – reality TV ["TV Eye," Screens, Feb 20]. It's about time.
There was a point in my life when I'd all but given up on television. Sure, I would defend television philosophically, but watch it? Never. The medium had to be inherently flawed because everything on it went for cheap laughs, melodrama, or simplistic commentary. And what I'd heard about the reality trend didn't convince me otherwise.
Then, by chance, I caught Married by America, a reality show where viewers at home get to arbitrarily vote contestants into lifelong commitments, and I realized that television could serve a purpose after all.
Why is reality TV such a hit? Why didn't it peak suddenly and collapse like all the naysayers predicted? And moreover, why does everyone list a reality program as one of their favorite shows, while feebly claiming that it's only a guilty pleasure?
Perchance it is because even the worst of reality TV explores what it means to be human, albeit through the "base" means of ridiculous pranks, nihilistic dismissals of tradition, and cruel tortures.
Reality TV makes us look at some of the most important matters in society – marriage; career; family; surveillance; celebrity; the triumphant success of one vs. the miserable failure of many; and, yes, getting stuck on a deserted island – in new ways.
Plus, it's just frickin' hilarious to see these jerks tear one another apart for $1 million. Pure brilliance!
I was pleased to read that Belinda Acosta has come to terms with the best stuff on television – reality TV ["TV Eye," Screens, Feb 20]. It's about time.
There was a point in my life when I'd all but given up on television. Sure, I would defend television philosophically, but watch it? Never. The medium had to be inherently flawed because everything on it went for cheap laughs, melodrama, or simplistic commentary. And what I'd heard about the reality trend didn't convince me otherwise.
Then, by chance, I caught Married by America, a reality show where viewers at home get to arbitrarily vote contestants into lifelong commitments, and I realized that television could serve a purpose after all.
Why is reality TV such a hit? Why didn't it peak suddenly and collapse like all the naysayers predicted? And moreover, why does everyone list a reality program as one of their favorite shows, while feebly claiming that it's only a guilty pleasure?
Perchance it is because even the worst of reality TV explores what it means to be human, albeit through the "base" means of ridiculous pranks, nihilistic dismissals of tradition, and cruel tortures.
Reality TV makes us look at some of the most important matters in society – marriage; career; family; surveillance; celebrity; the triumphant success of one vs. the miserable failure of many; and, yes, getting stuck on a deserted island – in new ways.
Plus, it's just frickin' hilarious to see these jerks tear one another apart for $1 million. Pure brilliance!
Rhys Southan