Reality Television

When you turn on the television looking for something entertaining to watch, you are most likely to come across a reality television show that captures your interest. Reality television makes up a majority of today's TV networks. There are a variety of reality TV shows including competitions, dating shows, families, and cultures. People enjoy these shows because they are easy to watch, mindless, and adaptable. Although they are famous for being entertaining, there is a question of whether or not these programs are actually "reality" shows.

Reality shows are frequently scrutinized for their lack of reality due to media and producer manipulation. The producers of these shows are interested in maintaining a high number a viewers and consistent positive ratings. Profits for these programs are dependent upon the popularity of the show. Anna Klassen, a women who appeared on a reality show called Bustle, recounts her experience being on reality TV in an article called "I Was on Reality TV: Behind the Scenes Secrets of Faking Real Life". Klassen stated that she was not herself when they were filming because they had her saying and doing things out of her character and personality. She also said the producer had her re-film particular parts multiple times. At the end of her makeover in the show, she had to go on a date where she said the person she was set up with was an actor from a casting site. Klassen's experience on a reality show emphasizes the truth behind fabricating these shows.


After watching an episode from Real Housewives of NJ, I realized that the gender roles are very stereotypical. The women on the show Theresa, Melissa, Jacqueline, Caroline, and Kathy are all emotional, family oriented, matriarch characters. There husbands including the infamous Joe Giudice are portrayed as careless and aggressive, especially during fighting scenes. Every episode is filled with drama and the way they handle the drama is typically dependent on gender. In the photo on the right, you can see Jacqueline and Theresa arguing which happens in most episodes. It is questionable whether or not the drama is real or for entertainment. After reading into reality television it seems as though these fights and divisions between friends were created to increase viewers.