reality tv shows are good entertainment argumentative essay

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Reality Shows: Advantages and Disadvantages of TV

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Advantages of reality shows, disadvantages of reality tv shows, solutions to overcome the addiction of reality shows.

• Andrejevic, M. (2004). Reality TV: The work of being watched. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
• Bell, M. (2015). Reality TV and class. In A. Hill (Ed.), Reality TV: Key ideas (pp. 135-150). Routledge.
• Choueiti, M., Khanduri, R., & Pieper, K. (2019). Inequality in 1,200 popular films: Examining portrayals of gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ, and disability from 2007-2018. USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative.
• Hill, A. (2015). Introduction. In A. Hill (Ed.), Reality TV: Key ideas (pp. 1-10). Routledge.
• Holmes, S. (2004). Reality TV: Audiences and popular factual television. Routledge.
• Mastro, D. E., & Kopacz, M. A. (2016). Race, reality television, and stereotypes: Examining the content of network and cable reality series. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 60(2), 208-227.

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Pros and cons of reality TV shows

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ARGUMENTS FOR:

• We live in an age of mass culture. More people read tabloids than the broadsheets, and reality TV is a fair reflection of this.
• Elitism is out of date. People are no longer willing to accept only what broadcasters think is good for them. There is nothing wrong in giving people what they want.
• It is intrinsically fascinating to see how people speak and behave in unusual situations. This is why many intelligent people find themselves gripped by Big Brother and other reality shows. They teach us something about human nature and so broaden our experience.
• If we believe in freedom and free speech, then we have to accept reality TV as an expression of popular and democratic taste. Nobody is compelled to appear in reality TV programmes, or indeed to watch them.
• Reality TV is harmless fun. Only pompous people and snobs condemn it.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST:

• Reality TV is vulgar and shoddy. By creating pseudo-celebrities it contributes to the debasement of popular taste.
• It is often cruel, exposing the participants to gross humiliation for our amusement. This makes it the modern equivalent of going to laugh at the lunatics in Bedlam. The present row over racism on Big Brother shows how nasty it can be.
• It exploits the vulnerable, and has been condemned by the Mental Health Foundation for doing so.
• Popularity should not be the ultimate test of what is permissible. Public executions used to be popular and still are in some countries.
• It is nonsense to say that broadcasters shouldn't set standards or be obliged to adhere to codes of behaviour. We don't for instance allow them to promote racism or sectarianism or to incite violence. Reality TV is debasing and should be strictly controlled, if not banned altogether.

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Argumentative Essay: Analyzing Reality TV and Classism

Classism and class hierarchy are enduring issues in modern American culture because the entertainment industry has such a profound impact on public opinion. This paper examines whether specific film and television genres, especially reality TV, reflect classism and the drive for financial success. This paper investigates how cutting-edge media impacts society’s discernment of economic imbalance and its trust in advancement. A nitty-gritty examination of appearances such as “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and other sources illustrates that reality TV appearances, primarily “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” have a noteworthy effect on how we see classism and how interesting it is.

Reality TV has become progressively well-known within the amusement trade. It appears like “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” gives a focal point through which we may think about how classism and the US fixation with the social chain of command are depicted. Michael Parenti’s exposition, “Course and Ethicalness,” clarifies how the media strengthens social lesson divisions. He argues, “The media often depict the rich as virtuous and benevolent, implying that their wealth is a result of hard work and moral superiority, while the poor are portrayed as lazy or morally deficient” (Parenti 507). This concept can be utilized in TV shows like “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” which centers on the ways of life of influential and affluent families. They seem to romanticize their extravagant way of life, quietly recommending that victory and riches are available to individuals who share specific standards.

The paper “Tall School Secret: Notes on High Schooler Motion Pictures” by David Denby investigates how classes are depicted in youngster motion pictures. “The girls need the seal of approval conferred by the converted jocks; the nerds need money and a girl” (Denby 513). He focuses on the fact that tall school habitually appears in adolescent movies as a smaller-than-expected adaptation of society, total with the same course divisions and social structures within the genuine world. High school movies and reality TV may have an unclear association, but they both deal with the issue of social status and lesson stratification. This relationship can be observed in reality TV programs like “My Super Sweet 16,” which feature teens from wealthy homes. These programs uphold the idea that social standing and material wealth are necessary indicators of success.

“Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” a reality TV show about the Kardashian-Jenner family, renowned for their wealth, opulent lifestyles, and celebrity status, follows this. They are portrayed favorably on the show, highlighting their achievements in the entertainment and commercial sectors. Denby noted, “If they had held on for a few years, they might have been working at a hip software company” (512). This reflects that social mobility can modify the system and lead to success. The media often portrays the Kardashians as diligent business owners whose success and wealth stem directly from their efforts. In addition, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” encourages aspirations of social mobility. For many viewers, the extravagant parties, high-end clothes, and lavish vacations featured on the show are sources of inspiration. Ascending the economic ladder is a dream many have, and the front adds to our interest in class stratification by making this lavish lifestyle seem attractive and possible. Even though the truth is significantly more complicated, it conveys that anyone can achieve such affluence with enough drive and ambition.

Reality TV programs featuring adolescent protagonists from wealthy families reflect Denby’s discussion on how class differences are portrayed in juvenile films. “My Super Sweet 16” is a perfect illustration of that. The show centers on teens throwing wild, lavish parties to celebrate turning sixteen. These festivities frequently feature expensive presents, high-end apparel, and private locations. The show perpetuates that financial wealth is a crucial indicator of success, even for youngsters, by presenting such lavish occasions. This portrayal supports Denby’s claim that class divisions in the adult world are reflected in teen films, highlighting the importance of financial standing.

In conclusion, classism and our interest in class hierarchy are perpetuated by the reality TV genre, as demonstrated by shows like “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and similar ones. These programs blatantly display the media’s propensity, as Michael Parenti has highlighted, to present the wealthy as successful and morally superior while simultaneously portraying them as hardworking and devout. Additionally, David Denby’s analysis of teen films reveals how these depictions of class and hierarchy in the media mirror those in the real world, further solidifying that material riches are a crucial marker of success. It is clear from these illustrations and the insights drawn from the readings that American entertainment media significantly influences how we view class and how much we want to go up the social and economic ladder. Given the pervasiveness of reality TV in today’s culture, it is crucial to evaluate the signals it sends about success and class.

Denby, David. “High school confidential: Notes on Teen Movies.” pp. 510-515.

Michael Parenti, “Class and Virtue.” pp. 506-509.

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Sport and Competition

How reality shows affect our lives and society, what are the negative and positive effects of reality tv.

Posted April 12, 2022 | Reviewed by Abigail Fagan

• People are often drawn to reality TV because they enjoy the drama and relate to difficult decision-making.
• The theme of self-interest vs. self-sacrifice runs through many reality shows.
• Reality shows often lead people to reflect on what they might do in a similar situation, which can be a good exercise in values exploration.

Millions of people around the world tune in to reality shows and have been watching for decades. What started out as an experiment has turned into mainstream programming and as a culture, we can’t get enough of it.

Is there any personal or societal cost to our ongoing fascination with reality shows? While opinions certainly differ on the topic, it comes down to a few factors:

• The malleability of your values
• Your commitment to behaving in ways that reflect your values

Television and all other forms of media have an impact on our thoughts, opinions, and behaviors. There is no doubt that what we take in for entertainment and information influences the way we think about the world around us. Our minds are designed to synthesize boatloads of information every day, from our interactions with others to the books we read and the entertainment we seek out. We make sense of the world through these pieces of information we gather, and this impacts how we live our lives every day.

Beyond the daily information we absorb, we are also influenced by our prior life experiences, our family of origin, the environment we are raised in and a slew of other cultural and genetic factors. These interpersonal and direct influences are more likely to impact our values and behaviors than reality shows. Does this mean that we should be unconcerned about the ways in which reality show trends impact us? No, we definitely need to pay attention to the underlying messages in these shows and explore why they appeal to us so much.

Why Do Reality Shows Reel Us In?

Reality shows keep us coming back, week after week. We want to know who said what to whom, which person betrayed another or who compromised their alliances or made a shady decision that influenced other people. It’s all about the best and worst of human behavior; it is an observational psychology class without the lecture or exams.

Often reality shows cause us to reflect on what we might do in a similar situation, which can be a good exercise in values exploration. The basic question of self-interest versus self-sacrifice is a theme that runs through most reality shows. These themes of good and bad behaviors, betrayal, competition , and connection are familiar to us; we make similar decisions every day, minus the cameras, artificial scenarios, and publicity. It calls to us because on a very basic level, we love human drama, and we relate to tough decisions. Whether it is a competition for love, money, fame, or notoriety, we enjoy watching the struggle. When we root for our favorite reality show participant, we are identifying something compelling within them, and this may say a lot about us if we choose to explore it. As we indulge in our favorite reality shows, we can ask ourselves:

• What do I enjoy about this show and what emotions does it elicit?
• What appeals to me about these characters and their role in the show?
• Would I make different choices than these characters? If so, why?
• What values do I embrace in my life that are either abided by or abandoned in this show?

Reality shows are ironically named because they are often far from realistic scenarios. Even though these programs are guilty pleasures for so many, we can use them as good conversation starters with friends and as food for thought within our own minds as we consider our values and how to live in ways that demonstrate those values.

Teyhou Smyth, Ph.D., LMFT , teaches psychology at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University.

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Watching Tv / Exploring the Advantages of Reality TV Shows

Exploring the Advantages of Reality TV Shows

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• Topic: Watching Tv

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Entertainment and escapism:, diverse perspectives and representation, promotion of skill development.

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