Reality TV allows individuals to escape reality and indulge in others’ lives. The TV genre has become a staple in so many people’s lives and leaves quite an impression on its viewers. It became more popular in the 21st century, especially in the early 2000s. It is crazy how far some shows have come since first airing.
When a series runs its course, all they have to do is make a spin-off, and they start all over. The Bachelor franchise is a perfect example. Since they began in 2002, they have developed in an entire nation featuring new shows like The Bachelorette, Bachelor Pad, Bachelor in Paradise, Bachelor in Paradise: After Paradise, and more recently, The Golden Bachelor and Bachelorette.
The Rise of Reality TV
Why It’s Attractive
Reality TV is an all-inclusive genre for individuals to enjoy. It distracts people from the stresses of their real lives and allows them to immerse in something real that does not affect them. People with common interests and personalities are brought together to enjoy the guilty pleasure known as reality TV. Take Bachelor Nation as an example again. Bars and restaurants have watch parties each week for the new episodes. Community members are brought together to cheer on their favorite man or woman and watch the drama unfold in their favorite show.
Booming in the 2000s
It has become much more common and popular since it first began in the 1940s. The debut of Survivor in 2000 became the turning point in reality TV. The show’s season finale captivated more than 50 million people nationwide, making it a top-rated show in the U.S. that year. Viewers love the thrill of the challenges, the development, and the social dynamics of the people. It led to growth in the industry and paved the way for other hit franchises such as Big Brother and America’s Next Top Model.
Platform Magazine reported that about 79 percent of adult television viewers watch reality TV. People who do not understand the hype, they might ask, why is it so popular? The easy answer is that there is a show for everyone. If you think about your interests, you could identify a reality show that corresponds with it. Do you enjoy romance and finding love? Watch Love Island or Love is Blind. Do you love competitions and prizes? Watch Big Brother or Survivor. Do you obsess over the drama in others’ lives? Watch The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives or The Real Housewives.
Struggle Reality in TV
When you ask a viewer of reality TV why they enjoy watching it so much, it is almost an unexplainable feeling. Combine ordinary people and raw footage; you get next-level entertainment. Although reality TV is not all raw, its viewers like to believe so. It is important to remember that only some things you see on TV are 100 percent real.
We tend to compare our lives to those we view on TV, especially when it is supposed to be the cast’s real life. Our perception changes; however, it is a distorted reality. Watching too much can have a negative impact on individuals and society. Some research suggests that reality TV can contribute to negative body image and increased aggression in its viewers.
Final Thoughts
There are positives and negatives to everything in life; reality TV is no exception. Too much of something is not always a good thing. In general, watching TV is not the healthiest if you do it for more than the recommended amount of time per day. However, life is too short, so if you enjoy watching the lives of others, then watch it. Devil’s advocate will tell you to enjoy that guilty pleasure. It is truly the little things in life that bring us the most joy, and reality TV can bring a significant amount of joy to people.
