Characterization

Depending on the type of show, there are different methods directors can use to lure the audience into connecting with the characters of the show:
In shows where the same characters are seen in every episode, like The Real World, we get to know what these people do every day and how they act; we actually get to know who the characters really are. This leads us to feeling very happy when the couple you wanted to end up together finally hooks up or when the annoying roommate that is just there to make everyone's life miserable is finally kicked out of the house.
In shows where there are different characters every episode, the director is challenged to create a connection between the audience and the characters in a short amount of time. In Wheel of Fortune and other game shows, sometimes we feel inclined for one specific person to one over another. Maybe it's because that player is a single mom and so are you or maybe it's because the the young man needs the money in order to pay for his wedding and you also know someone who is engaged. Those small qualities in a person can attract you to root for that character versus the other.

Characterization

Through shows like Jersey Shore and The Real World, I believe there is characterization. Although 9 times out of 10 the characterization involves how foolish or stupid the characters may be, there is still characterization in there. Due to how it is reality, and how some of the things are relatable to the cast, causes for the viewer to like the cast and what is going on with them during the show. By having the confessional or interviews, it allows the viewer to see the characters singled out and describing their feelings and what they are thinking at the moment. I believe this is useful and keeps the viewers attention and keeps them continue to bond with the character and root for them during the show. Also, when there is a conflict that goes on during the show it allows us to see the cast's true colors and how they react in these types of situations, which also keeps the viewer intrigued.

Characterization in Survivor

Reality TV shows sometimes use methods ie confessionals, camera time, and certain situations to have the audience love, hate, or support a certain character. The show Survivor uses characterization to shape contestants personas. For example they use confessionals to have devious contestants reveal there true plans. If not for the confessional we would have thought previous contests like "Johnny Drama" was an honest competitor and that his aunt had actually died before a challenge he was about to compete in. The challenges that the contestants compete in are actually useful in showing characterization as it shows who the competitors are, who the schemers are, and who is the brains of the operation. Mostly, I think characterization is used for RTV shows that are shadowing into the game show genre. Shows like Jersey Shore you like which cast member is less of an idiot. No real characterization takes place in those shows

Scripted?

I think that to a certain extent RTV shows are scripted. The producers want to capture their audience's attention. Reality TV shows are made to be dramatic and interesting so that they gain a lot of viewers. I think they are scripted because I don't see people acting the way they do on these shows the same as in real life. But in some shows such as teen mom I think they seem less scripted than Jersey Shore for example. The set in Teen mom seems more natural than all of the drama going on the set of Jersey Shore.

Characterization

I agree that the RTV shows that I watch I feel for the characters. Usually by personal interviews where the people give their opinion about what is going on. Along with feeling for the characters, on most shows, there is also a person that you find not to like. I like watching the Real Housewives not only because I find the girls that I like, but also because there are some people that I don't like. While watching these shows you feel like you know these people and can almost predict their actions. (In contrast, Jersey Shore- you never know what they will do because they are crazy) In the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills I feel like there is a "script" to plot against Camille. Her actions have turned her into the person that no one likes on the show, but also now that she has emerged as this person, they show clips or show interviews that point out her flaws. Sometimes she makes bad decisions or is immature in situations and now the show is purposely going to take clips where she acts in this manner so viewers don't like her even more. There has to be some struggle or emotion to get viewers to watch. If all of the girls got along perfectly, it would not make for an interesting show.

Characterization in RTV

We've had a productive week of conferencing and with many of you I had a conversation about characterization. It's important to introduce your readers to characters, to really represent your characters in a relatable way, and this isn't easy to accomplish. I want you to think about characterization in RTV shows. I think part of the reason we get attached to these shows or to any show for that matter is the characters. Think about the different tactics RTV shows employ to let us "get to know" the characters. Many shows use interviews/confessionals during which one particular character give his or her commentary on the events of a particular episode or event. What is the purpose of these interviews dispersed throughout the episodes? Can you think of specific shows that rely on strong characterization? Shows likes Jersey Shore, but also shows like Swamp People or Pawn Stars? Brainstorm some of your own here. How do shows that have different characters every episode get the audience to care about the present characters in such a short amount of time?

Scripted or not?

Reality TV is meant to entertain, by any means necessary. There is always a direction that the producers want the show to go, a concept that does not necessarily require a written script yet it will cause the participants to behave in a different manner, not there normal "everyday lives". While these reality TV shows are certainly led a certain direction by the producers, this does not mean that the show can't jump off course with spur of the moment decisions. For example, in an episode of the ever so popular Jersey Shore, the crew was walking home after a long day on the boardwalk when someone got on Ronnie's nerves and caused him to harshly react. Ronnie without notice ran straight at this random person and knocked him to the ground, so quickly that the cameras could not even keep up, an instance that obviously could not have been scripted.

When the camera is on.

Well, when the camera rolls, it is hard or even almost impossible for someone to carry on their life as if the camera isn't there. Due to the fact that we know we're on camera and our humanly want for attention, we can't help but ACT a different way. It's just in our nature to want attention and to get it we have to act a certain way that may not be what you would do without an audience. Just for additional help understanding this concept. Let's say somebody is being filmed. However, what the person does not know is that the camera is not actually rolling. That person is still going to "ACT" because he/she perceives that the camera is rolling; a perceived audience exists in their mind, so she will act accordingly.

I have known of people who claim to be surveyors or reporters, carrying a broken tape recorder, ask people questions. In response the people try their best to answer these intelligent questions, when in fact they're making a fool of themselves to those who know that the reporter is not real.

RTV being "scripted"

The idea that the incorporation of a camera to film "reality television" creates an unrealistic script is very relative to this discussion... For any time someone is knowingly being recorded either by video, audio, or even just by text there is an indirect effect on what that person will say and how they will act. So, the addition of a camera into the mix of reality television consequentially creates a scenario that is "real" but is not necessarily natural. In the show "Hard Knocks," a television show about the New York Jets football organization, there are plenty of instances where the camera affects natural scenarios; where some players would usually be more focused or inversely lackadaisical during practice, the players' actions might change entirely with the incentive to be filmed and put on television.

I think every reality TV show is partly scripted. I don't think everything that happens in these shows can be 100% real. That's why when someone gets in trouble, like with the police, they're not in trouble for very long and it's not made out to be that big of a deal. I don't think the whole entire thing is scripted but having a script of making people seem more stupid or idiotic is definitely the ultimate goal of these producers. So they want whatever is most entertaining to viewers to occur, causing them to do whatever they need to with the script, cast and plot.

Scripted/Unscripted

I believe that some tv shows can be scripted. Producers and directors might script some things so the show can appeal to an audience. Also people might change their whole persona when they get put in front of a camera so they may never truly act like themselves when put in a certain situation. There are some shows out there that could seem like reality but are truly not. Altohugh there might be some shows out there that could be truly reality like The Real World. I don't you think you can write the stuff that goes in this show. In this show it seems like the cast is free and able to do anything they want. Shows like Real Housewives and maybe Teen Mom could be scripted. Scripted or not most of reality televesion is made to appear like it is set in real situations.

Scripted RTV

As much as RTV is sold as being completely real, undited, and uniterfered with. It really isn't. Once the camera is there, people do act differently. While it might appear that they are acting as they normally would, but their enviornment has been altered, causing their actions to be altered as well. I don't think that any rtv show is completely unscripted because no one would care and the people would lose money. As sean said, it is "purportdely unscripted" which to me, means that the characters are acting and trying to make it seem as if they arent. They are being pushed along a seemingly "normal" day that is scripted. Then along with being scripted, the show is edited to get their message or add across to the audience. Even if it is a skewed view.

Scripted or Unscripted

Reality TV is absolutely scripted in the day we live in now. To be honest, I really don't care either way if it is scripted or not. Movies are scripted, plays are scripted, and reality TV is scripted. I still watch it, as long as I like the proposed script of the show itself. It's not a question of "if" reality TV is scripted, it's now a question of "how" it is scripted. Shows like Jersey Shore targets an audience that enjoys drama and humorous partying. I occasionally tune in when I'm in dire need of entertainment. It's never going to be a critically acclaimed show, but it will never fail to entertain, which the bulk of reality TV shows aim to do. The only reality TV show that I can consider genuinely unscripted is my personal favorite: The Ultimate Fighter. Fighters and coaches from the show have made it clear that there is nothing to do the majority of the 6 weeks. Fights that air are recorded live and are unedited which doesn't involve any scripting.

Scripted or Unscripted

I think all of these RTV shows have a general script of where the directors or producers want the show to go, but I do not think that they have a written out script that the people being filmed have to say. For instance, in pawn stars things happen that are unpredictable. The items that random people bring in cannot be controlled by the producers. However, there is a lot that we do not see behind the scenes because obviously the editors will let us see only what they want us to see. And I think to some extent whenever someone is being filmed they do not act like themselves 100%. Acting is always going to take place.

Scripted or Unscripted?

I don't think Reality Tv shows like jersey shore are completely scripted. I think that all the cutting and editing that goes on after filming the cast creates certain scenarios in the show that probably truly didn't happen. I mean sure the producers might encourage the cast to do certain things and act certain ways, but I don't think they are handed a script and told that they have to say these things during the show. I think the cast of jersey shore is crazy enough that they don't really need to have scripts to make the show exciting or interesting. As I said before I think its the editing of the film and the stuff that goes on behind scenes that makes it look "fake" to some people rather than there being a script. An example of why I think that Jersey Shore isn't scripted is when JWOW goes home after breaking up with her boyfriend only to find all of her valuable stuff missing and money stolen from her account. I don't think a situation like that is scripted, but I could always be wrong :) . To be honest, I don't really care if a show is scripted or unscripted because as long as I enjoy the show, I will keep watching it.

Scripted?

Whether the world 'reality' is in the title, when it comes to TV shows, they are almost all scripted in one way or another. The minute the camera goes on, the members of the show become extremely conscious of what they say, do, act, etc., and try to make themselves as appealing (or unappealing depending on their role in the show) as possible. I once watched the "Behind the Scenes" episode of "The Bachelor", and even the cast members were shocked to find out how scripted the show really was when they began filming. The producers would make them say and act a certain way, and even try to stir up drama by going from one cast member to another saying things like, "Hey, so-and-so was saying how much they hated you," and then that person would run to the other to start a fight, of course with the producers up and ready to film the drama.

Scripted

I think that all reality tv shows have some sort of script to them. Whether it is the cast that the network selects, to the location of where the show will take place to even having some of the cast members do certain things to spice up the show. Everything about our world today is money, although it is a sad thing, it's true. All tv networks are trying to do is getting the best ratings. In a show like Jersey Shore, the cast may have been told to get into a fight with other members of the cast along with going to certain clubs on certain nights. Although all of these may have been scripted the results from what actually happened from the events weren't. Overall, I feel that most if not all reality tv is scripted in some sort of way, in order to help keep ratings up and the viewers happy and tuned in to each and every episode.

RTV... Definition of Scripted

Everyone knows that people act differently when they know someone is watching or there is a camera filming their every move. Although the people being filmed may not have "scripted" lines to say the least, their behavior tends to be different than in their normal lives as well as what is caught on camera can be manipulated into something totally different than what actually happened. It may not be "scripted" in most cases, but it certainly is manipulated in order to get a certain drama. The directors and producers control what we see and how we see it. If something minor happens, they are going to blow it up into some huge thing in order to keep the audience engaged and the ratings up. If you watch the "Behind the Scenes" shows usually at the end of a season they reveal a lot of secrets that reveal what actually went on before the show hit your television screen. MTV'S "The Real World" has been known to do this. They showed what they were looking for when they cast the members, and even admitted to planting some evidence in the house that made a fight between people. I believe some reality is actually unscripted, with shows like Pranked, Boiling Point, and Candid Camera. The actors tricking the contestant are scripted of course, but the reality of it is not.

Scripted..i think so!

I believe reality TV shows are half scripted half done on an impromptu spur of the moment act. TV channels such as MTV need to make their money want to put things on TV that will make people want to watch there shows. This is where the script part comes in. The producers of these different shows know what the audience is looking for in entertainment. And they know the specific audience to appeal too. There is too many stupid things that the stars on shows like Real World say and do to make it all completely scripted. But there is something like a plot? There is a structure to the show and that's the part that may seem scripted.

Invisible Scripts

Many reality shows are clearly scripted in countless parts of the show, but to say that entire shows are scripted, I believe is a little exaggerated. Reality TV typically selects real people, that prior to the show were not necessarily famous or actors either, thus the reason they are chosen to do a specific show is for their usually wacky personality. RTV stars are expected to keep up this wacky behavior that got them there, but it had to come from somewhere, meaning that these people's personalities are not entirely fake. The situations created on shows, for example the fight between Sammi, Ronnie, JWoww, and Snooki on Jersey Shore, I do not believe are fake. The fight or disagreement between these people does not seem induced by the shows producers. The fight was initiated by the people involved, essentially the job of reality TV producers is to enhance the fight/ direct the direction of the fight to create more drama and appeal for the show, however the fight/ what is said in the fight, to me, seems legitimate.

Not exactly "Reality" TV

What is it that makes a reality show appealing? competitive action? The anticipation of wanting to know who wins the grand prize? absurd moments? lots and lots of drama? sure, these elements combined, make for captivating television, but do you really think it all happens by chance? Behind the drunken arguments, and catfights, a team of producers and directors are secretly pulling the strings.

The reality is, every episode of "Jersey Shore" or "Keeping up With the Kardashians" is a marvel of television editing. While shooting an episode, producers shoot hundreds of hours of footage, that eventually have to be condensed to a meager 42 minutes. this means that, while what occurs on a reality show may be authentics, it is often manipulated and sequenced to the liking of producers. Portions of one scene may be edited with segments of another, to manufacture a completely false dramatic situation. After all, what producers are most concerned with is the number viewers, and consequently more drama means more spectators.

But then again, if it's entertaining and fun to watch, does it matter if it's real or not?

Reality TV...maybe

Reality tv is the farthest thing from reality. I ranted about this topic in my last blog. Reality tv is the equivalent of a poorly written sitcom fused with Cloverfield. There is no set, the camera just follows the action and drama. Here's the difference between reality and reality tv, in reality you fight somebody and you go to jail...and you stay there. Reality tv, you fight somebody, you go to jail and the camera follows you and you have a confessional saying "ohh I'm soooo sorry, I am so dumb." and you eventually get out. It is all staged, but that makes for great entertainment right??

Were did the reality go?

The places you seem to find true reality TV are becoming fewer and farther between. The role of the script is playing a bigger and bigger part in the production of certain reality shows. Shows like the biggest loser are becoming more, and more orchestrated; while shows like planet Earth managed to remain very natural. Though the involvement of the film crew might still be minor, but the overall amount of involvement is increasing. We can argue that the actions enacted by the person or group, may not have come into action, if not for the interfering of the camera crews. We can also then argue, that the show is no longer reality TV, because it does not portray the "real" people in it.

Scripted vs nonscripted

This argument that there is some sort of guidance or "script" for some reality TV shows is getting a little bit redundant. I'm sure there is always someone behind the camera influencing the participants or a show may be edited in a way to look like reality. However if I may be so blunt, there would be no one watching the shows like jersey shore or real housewives if there was no intervening from producers or directors. If people wanted to see real unedited TV then I will begin to start taping my day from beginning to end, but no one would ever watch that. Its called RTV because its not real life so to speak it just mimics it. It doesn't bother me that some shows have a little bit of influence from someone or another it makes them more appealing if they do. For example on Top Gear the hosts haven't memorized all the features of a car they are presenting they are most likely reading from a script or teleprompter, but when they go out on the track and drive the car around they have no safety net no "script". That is what makes RTV great and that is why people watch it.

Script or no script

Even though shows like The Real World claim to not be scripted, the truth is that there is some sort of planning that takes place before filming. Reality TV is not just pulling out a camera and filming whatever people do; there are certain things producers and directors look for in reality TV. In The Real World, the director tries to capture all the moments where there are fights, arguments, hook-ups, etc. In Wife Swap directors emphasize on the pivotal moments throughout the families' lives, such as moments where the mother is treated like an outsider or when the kids like their 'new mom' more than their actual mother. Whether there be physical script or not, there are certain events that the audience wants to see, thus leading the directors to capture what the audience wants rather than showing both sides of the story. Also, in shows like Jersey Shore the actors already know that the viewers love it when they go crazy, get drunk, etc. and do crazier things just to catch people's attention.
Overall, reality shows do not need a physical script, but the actors and directors do know what attracts viewers and will continue doing these things in order to maintain their audience satisfied.

How often do you see "reality TV" scenarios in "reality"

Consider for example one of the biggest "Reality TV" hits of all time, Survivor. At this point there is a plethora of seasons and episodes chronicling the lives, trials, and errors of "the survivors". By watching a single episode of this show we can fully appreciate how "reality TV" is not attempting to recreate "reality" at all, but is merely built for the green. Where on this planet do you find two groups of people specifically and strategically placed with each other, (on a quote "deserted" island) and pitted against each other by a larger organization of people for the shear purpose of winning a large sum of money over all the others your living with. On what deserted island in the Galapagos do we find assigned groups of people going from staged challenge to staged challenge in an intense competition over money? You can only find that "reality" in the game shows. This just further supports the idea that these shows are played out purely for their entertainment value. We love to watch people in hot competition for large sums of money because we have to then stop and think "what would i do if i were in the situation?" The "reality" of the situation is you will probably never be in that situation, especially if it wasn't a game show. But still thousands of people watch the show fantasizing about what they would do if they had all that money. How far they would go to to win that money. For really nobody wants to play the real game of survivor. If people did, they would move out of this comfortable lifestyle to a deserted island and try and fend for themselves. Thats a harsh "reality" and some think that they want to do such a thing after watching the show. But really what they want is to go into the completely controlled environment of "Survivor" where in the end, you aren't striving to survive for you life, you are just playing the game. You can leave whenever you want. THAT is a false view of reality. THAT is the "reality" that "reality TV" provides; a false reality staged merely for the growth of money, in every aspect. There is no real attempt to show people "reality" for if there was, hah, no one would watch it, and you would just lose your money. Entertainment, not reality. Hell it should just be called "Entertainment TV"

Scripted

Personally, I think that most reality tv shows have some form of a script. Some points of the show may be reality, but if there is a big fight or the main drama, producers might add some things for the "actors" to say to make the climax of the show even more interesting. Also, when picking people for the show they will purposely choose the people whose personalities will most likely clash or who will do wild, unexpected things without being prompted. I feel like now, reality tv is not reality anymore. Producers have taken shows like "You're on Candid Camera", which is completely real and twisted it into something more dramatic. I was watching "Beyond Scared Straight" last night. This is a show about teenagers, who have been having problems with the law, being sent to jail for a little time to show them the reality if they continue on their reckless path. This show is almost ridiculous. They have inmates screaming at the kids but they are never allowed to pick fights or touch them. The kids are infiltrated with the prisoners who have done lesser crimes, such as second degree murder. The real prisoners are clearly told to try and make the kids scared so they don't want to come back. This is understandable, but it is still scripted. Overall, I definitely think the majority of reality television shows are scripted at some points to make them more interesting.

SCRIPTED OR UNSCRIPTED? IS "REALITY" TV "REAL"?

I want to quote Nick here to begin the next prompt. He made a great point in his last post writing that “once the camera is present, everyone is acting.” Can anything be reality if it is framed by the camera lens? Furthermore, who controls what we see and how we see it? Are common reality TV shows such as Jersey Shore, Real Housewives, True Life, Teen Mom, Pawn Stars, etc. completely unscripted? Give evidence here to argue your point. If you think the cast is controlled and directed by producers, directors, and the like, what makes you think this? Feel free to focus on one specific show and provide evidence by way of quotes from the show, clips, articles, etc. Can you think of any shows that are completely random and dependent on the actions of the cast members (excluding sporting events and news broadcasts because the verdict is out on whether or not these shows are included in what popular culture deems reality TV)? Sean also makes a good argument when he points out the use of the term “purportedly unscripted” in the Wikipedia definition. He goes on to define this term for us: “meaning that the scenarios present are meant to seem realistic.” In other words the scenes are edited to be realistic. Think about and discuss how RTV shows are scripted and/or heavily edited to fulfill a set purpose or target a specific audience.

I believe RTV is...

The true definition of reality tv is obviously ambiguous. I think shows like Jersey Shore or The Real World are reality tv. Football games and Jeopardy to me are not really reality tv shows. I guess what classifies a show as reality tv in my opinion is when we get to know the characters in the show at a personal level. Whether it be solving a person's problems in MTV's MADE or seeing people try to find a partner like in I Love New York, we are experiencing how those people react to certain situations and get to know them even if just superficially. In football, we do know the quarterback and a few other players of our favorite team, but we do not know what is going through their mind during the game, we just hope for our team to win and remain in suspense until the end of the game. To me, the fact that we get to know the qualities of certain characters classifies these shows as reality tv.

What is RTV?

The definition of reality TV is different to each person. There is no real "official" definition because there are so many different things that can be considered reality TV, which others may not agree with. Personally, I think reality TV is any show that is about real people living their every day lives. Most of them are unscripted, but sometimes dialogue is added and the people are asked to do things for entertainment value. I think that we have to draw the line at reality TV being news, sports, and some game shows. Jeopardy and Sunday Night Football are not reality TV. Though these shows are unscripted and are not casted with actors, I do not think it fits in the category of reality TV. The news serves a purpose to inform, not usually to entertain, and sports games are just that. Sports. I do not think there is a correct definition for what reality TV is or what exactly fits in this category, and it really depends on each person's opinion.

RTV:

I never really thought about what RTV actually is. I think it is because i never really thought i was watching RTV when i watched Dirty Jobs or Man vs Wild. I personally think that RTV is specifically unpredictable events being filmed. By this definition, I guess sporting events and game shows are RTV because you never know EXACTLY what is going to happen.

que es RTV?

My definition of RTV is essentially and form of television that did not have a previously printed script to be strictly followed. For example, sports events would be considered reality TV because there is no way to script what will happen. New, game shows, and talk shows would also be considered RTV because although there is a guideline of what will be discussed in a particular episode there is no definite script of every single thing that will be said or done. The most basic idea that I can come up with to explain what makes up RTV would probably be any type of show that has the ability to be unpredictable to the people on the screen, producers, camera crew, and even the directors.

My definition of RTV

I've never really sat down and made a definition of what I consider reality tv to be. Now that I am thinking about it I think that reality television is a super broad category that has many different sub categories. I consider anything that doesn't have a set script to follow throughout the entirety of the show to be reality tv. This means that I consider sports shows to be a form of reality tv because there is absolutely no script at all. Up until MTV aired this new show called Skins, pretty much every show that was aired on tv i considered as reality tv. Also shows that follow the lives of different people and the experiences that they go through in real life is reality tv. Examples of this include: Intervention, True Life, Animals Hoarders and etc. News shows are tricky for me. News that is broadcasted from a studio I don't consider as reality tv since they have to follow a script, but new reports from out on the field are different because they involve interviews of different people. So to conclude all of my rambling, my definition of reality is: Any show that does not have a script that needs to be followed.

What is reality TV?

My definition of reality TV is anything that is genuinely unscripted. Unfortunately, it's come to a point where I don't even think reality even exists anymore. The real world, jersey shore, pawn stars and even Man vs wild are all scripted to some extent. Yes, I understand that without scripts it would make for painfully boring television to watch people sit around a camera all day. Personalities are targeted for reality TV shows to attract viewers and ratings. That's the primary objective for any show. To milk the shows for every penny they're worth. The authenticity of reality TV shows have become so blatantly fake that I can no longer enjoy them. I know someone told the housemates on Jersey Shore to get into a senseless fight for good television. Once the camera starts rolling the acting begins. Low grade, low budget acting is all most reality shows are yet people continue to watch.

What is reality tv?

I believe reality tv is a genre that consists of any type of show that is unscripted and doesn't include any actors. Reality tv is also unpredictable. I don't think game shows and news programs and are reality tv because they are just more of and entertainment and informational programming. To me sports is considered reality tv because of real it is and you never know what's going to happen next. Even the players on the court or field can tell you who's going to win ahead of time. For example just look at Florida State beating the number one team in the nation or UConn women's basketball team losing for the first time in 9o games. Like all of sports theses two things were unscripted and unpredictable. There are also a number of sports reality tv shows like Shaq Vs. Where Shaquille O'Neal goes against a variety of athletes in their respective sport. Talk shows are not considered reality tv because they are sometimes scripted.

RTV

To me, Reality TV is any show that is "unscripted", so televised events such as sports games and game shows could fall under this genre. However, the term "reality t.v." has been narrowed down to include shows which make an attempt gain popularity through the drama that people cause on the shows. The ironic part is that many of these reality t.v. shows are scripted, so in my opinion that really takes the reality part out of the equation.

Reality TV? Who made this word up?

What constitutes a reality tv show? Who know's im sure the person to make up the word was just as confused as the ones trying to watch or define it. For me the definition of reality tv is something that is unscripted that comes on TV. Under this definition a lot of tv programs come under the umberalla of reality tv. Anything from football games, to live shows of just about everything. I think the definition of reality tv was lost somewhere along the way and is now constituted as what appears on MTV all day and shows such as Jersey Shore. Football games or any other sports are not scripted and should come under reality tv, especially with all the drama that surrounds the NFL and other sports. The NFL has its own network with 24/7 updates and it's mostly about what this wide receiver said and what that cornerback has to say back to him and on and on and on. The perception of society on reality tv, or the definition of reality tv according to society is funny but stupid. A lot of people watch it because of the former. Reality TV could even be news reading if it's live according to my definition. Reality tv is something that needs to grow into something that helps society and shows the smart people that really do exist in life. But obviously this wouldn't be nearly as entertaining.

RTV

To me, for something to be considered reality TV it has to be unscripted, yet not everything that is unscripted has to be reality TV. For example, I do not see football as being reality TV, even though it is unscripted and the final outcome is unknown. The way I see it, sports has always just been on its own separate platform away from all of the reality TV shows. In fact, I often use watching sports as a way to get away from some of the reality nonsense even if it is a game with teams I don't particularly care for.

RTV defined in different ways

According to Wikipedia.com, the definition given for RTV is exactly what the genre has been made into. When you hear the word 'reality' you would probably think "oh wow! this must be real" well... kind of sorta but not entirely... Wikipedia defines reality television as "purportedly unscripted", meaning that the scenarios presented are meant to seem realistic. but this is not always to case. For example, in shows such as dramatic reality TV the characters are fed information to create dramatic scenarios. If the viewer wants to see drama, then that's exactly what the producer will continue to provide. A more "realistic" form of television could be seen in the television show "Hard Knocks." This is a reality television show where the New York Jets football team and coaching staff are filmed throughout the course of the year to show what really goes on in the NFL world. None of this filming seems scripted because there's no real reason for it to be that way, for viewers of the show "Hard Knocks" want to see the truth.

What is RTV?

I find reality TV pretty hard to define. To me, although sports and game shows technically are 'reality' because they are happening in the moment, I would not consider them to be reality TV. I believe reality TV are drama filled shows that are intended for entertainment, and usually contain a cast. The first part of the Wikipedia definition, "Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations", is what I think most people associate with reality TV. Although today a lot of reality TV shows are somewhat scripted, the people in the shows are not professional actors, and thus I think that makes it reality. The only reason I think reality TV shows are starting to become more and more scripted is in attempt to make the shows more interesting to keep the attention of the viewers because most reality TV watchers love drama.

RTV is Base of Modern TV

I definitely believe that RTV is more common than most other "genres" of television these days. To me, reality television is anything that doesn't have a script prepared ahead of time (with exception to the nightly news.) I think everything other than a sitcom or drama series etc. is considered reality television. Even though talk shows are somewhat scripted, the responses off of the scripted statements are real. As to the news, real life events are being reported, and therefore to me is reality. Of course there are many different sub-categories for constituting reality television, however everyone can decifer their own version of what is and what is not reality television.

Pawn stars fake?

Hey I've lately heard some rumors that the show pawn stars is fake; so I rushed to the inter-web's Blogosphere, to find some answers! Here are some links, I hope this helps but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!!1! remember that this IS the internet! anyone can write anything here! It is infamous for a lot of the rumors some people think is real but really isn't. So use discretion, and draw your own conclusions!

-Zack

link 1 (a blog) http://forum.ebaumsworld.com/showthread.php?t=311689

link 2 (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pawn_Stars

link 3 (a summary of the show (for people who havn't seen it)). http://www.gambling911.com/entertainment/pawn-stars-vegas-reality-star-real-con-man-011510.html

link 4 (blog by fans of the show like me) http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/racers-lounge/1219224-pawn-stars-legit.html

RTV is...

To me, RTV is any show that is unscripted. It comtains people who are just being themselves and going about their normal routine. Whether it is a show about someone's life and their interaction with others or a sports game. No one knows that is going to happen or what the outcome will be or what decision someone is going to make. To me, an RTV show is a show such as almost anything on mtv, where it documents people lives like on True Life, or puts people into situations, such as Jersey Shore. Or a sports game, because with that no one can predict the outcome or what play the team will do. I wouldn;t consider a talk show or game show RTV because with a talk show, the host already knows what questions he/she is going to ask and will try to lead the conversation in a certain direction. And with a game show, the host knows whats going on and can control what happens.

Is RTV "real life"?

I think RTV used to be an unscripted show of real life. The people who appear on Reality TV are supposed to be real people not actors. But over time I think it has changed a great deal. I think to a certain extent they are actors because they don't respond to situations like they would normally if it were everyday life. Reality TV is dramatized and a lot of scenes are edited and cut. In Reality TV you don't know what the outcome is going to be so it makes it interesting to watch. There are so many shows that fall under the category of "RTV". I don't think sports should be considered reality tv because its not a show like jersey shore or the real world where there are people living their lives and being filmed. Sports are a different form of entertainment in a sense it is scripted because there are rules and regulations in each sport that the players have to follow. I found a website that said as more and more Reality TV shows air the competition between them increases. I think this is why they are becoming more fake, that is in order to make their shows more interesting to capture more viewers. http://www.essortment.com/all/realitytvsurvi_rnzs.htm. Do you think RTV is really losing its real-ness?

The conundrum of reality tv

For most of us when we hear reality TV all we can think of is the latest show like Jersey Shore, or The Real Housewives, or Survivor, all of which are reality TV, but what makes them reality? Is it the fact that they are real people in a real place and time? If that is the case then any show or film is "reality" because the actors are in a real place in a real time. Is it the fact that these people aren't actors but ordinary people being filmed? That poses and interesting complex because once a camera is present, everyone is acting. Everyone puts on a show for "who they truly are" even if they are not conscious of it, especially when a camera is present. If Joe from Survivor was really showing you himself in reality, he wouldn't be running through a jungle completing arbitrary tasks to win a million dollars. So yeah this situation is actually occurring, so yes its real, but does that constitute reality? Or what reality is for most people? For me when i first heard the term "reality TV" i juxtaposed "reality" and "TV" and thought that thus would be simply TV shows that depict reality as it is for most people. Now this would make for some boring subject matter, especially to the modern viewer of entertainment. So it only makes sense that in order to make a show that people will want to watch and thus make money off what you create, one has to film a reality that is a little over the top. Take The Real World, for example. Now given that in real life groups of people are thrown together and have to deal with each other while working together on similar tasks and live with each other. But how often in reality are people chosen for the mere fact that they won't get along with most of the other people, or will cause extra drama. These people get chosen by the creators of the show to make the show interesting to the audience. This is just as fake to me as a filmmaker designing every aspect of a movie, if not even more fake. A filmmaker typically (depending on the person) tries to make the film have a sense of reality, strives to make the movie seems like its a real life event. It may be staged but the end result feeeels real. With The Real World, it feeeels staged. It feels like these people were specifically placed together to cause bullshit and drama. Reality TV to me are shows that attempt to fool the viewer into thinking that this is what life in reality is like and about, and if that is not their initial intent, it sure is the result (especially since its called reality TV). Or Reality TV is shows that use and exploit real people to make money.

REALity Tv

My definition of RTV consists of the word reality. Since RTV has become a branch that umbrellas such a huge range of tv shows, I feel that we should go back to the core of the idea. Wikipedia's definition of it includes that it is unscripted and usually uses normal people instead of professional actors. However, if you think about RTV now, this is no longer the case as many RTV shows actually include professional actors and even scripts. So with this in mind, what differentiates Reality TV from other TV shows is sometimes a very fine, almost invisible line if you can even see it that is. That's why I believe the definition of RTV comes from the root word real. RTV can be anything that films REAL life, or even portrays reality, the world we live in. Since RTV has spread and overlaps with so many things, I feel the clearest way to view it is to look into it's core, hence RTV is "REAL ity" TV.

My Definition of RTV

After hearing our discussions in class about RTV and seeing wikipedia definition of reality TV I have come to make my own conclusion on what defines RTV. I believe that any show that has an unscripted portion or a chance that anything can happen. This is worded in a confusing manner, but let me explain through examples. On the news anchors are reading from TelePrompTers, but on some occasions they can slip up and say some words that the didn't mean to say (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIOREqBcFuY). Sporting events are most definitely RTV because no one knows the outcome. The least capable underdog can defeat the juggernaut league champion. The spectrum of reality TV is extremely broad, but in my mind as long as there is a sense of unexpectedness even if it is semi scripted it can fall into the realm of reality TV.

What is Reality TV?

I believe that reality tv has taken over almost all of the shows that we watch on tv. To me, in order for something to be considered reality tv there has to be only a basic structure or script and then the rest of the time, to just have the cameras rolling and see what results you get. For instance, Jersey Shore or the Real World definitely fall under the category of reality tv due to how the only scripted part is the location of where the group is. When they go out, that is solely on the cast and what they do and how they act wherever they are comes out throughout the season. The result of what the camera crews get are totally random and some things that happen could be totally unexpected. At this same time, although it is hard for me to admit, sports definitely fall under reality tv. Although there are many rules and regulations, the drama and unexpected results that occur from sports could not be totally scripted and bring about one of the best and most successful displays of reality tv. But overall, it comes down to the eye of the beholder, and it is totally up to each individual person to decide for themselves exactly what is or isn't reality tv.

RTV!

I believe that most anything on tv these days are reality. But maybe I'm just saying that because the only channels i watch basically show only reality tv. Anything that is unscripted, on the spot, anything can happen is put in the category of reality tv. A documentary can fall in this category if candid material is used in it. In my eyes, I can't really see sports being reality tv but i guess in some cases it is categorized as that since it is unscripted. I think it depends highly on the channel you watch that makes it reality. For example the history channel, nothing on there would i consider reality tv. MTV, however, is pretty much all reality.

What is RTV?

After class on Thursday, I really questioned what RTV exactly was. To some point, RTV can be defined and then i think it is up to the individual to define what it is. My current opinion is that sports and the nightly news are not RTV. The nightly news is scripted and predictable and that is why it does not fall into this category of television. Sports falls into its own genre. In sports, there are show hosts who have scripts. I was surprised when reading Wikipedia's definition that there are so many types of RTV. Some shows fall into more than one type. For example, Intervention would be considered a documentary and a hoax. In addition, I think RTV should not be scripted. The show Laguna Beach claimed to not be scripted and then they finally admitted to some of it being fake. They would reshoot scenes and give some of them lines to say, but parts of the show were still real. My main question coming out of class conversation on Thursday is: should it be up to the individual to define what RTV is or should a higher power, such as the FCC decide?

The 3 Laws of Reality TV

"Keeping Up With The Kardashians", "Jersey Shore", "Real World", ask anyone what genre of TV these shows fall under and the overwhelming response would most surely be "reality TV". But what exactly is it about these programs that defines them as such? The reality show explosion that has flooded all of television programming has given me the opportunity to study and ultimately conceive an answer to the question: What is reality TV?

I find there are certain ingredients that must be present in a television show for it to be coined a reality show. So without further ado I present to you Pedro Gil's 3 Laws of Reality TV.

1)A reality show must be completely unscripted or at the very most have a basic backbone of a script, just enough to give the show some direction. 2)Actors of any sort are entirely forbidden!Unless they are key to the shows gimmick, otherwise all participants must be regular Joe Schmos (no pun intended). 3) The reality program is to be shot in a documentary type fashion on location, not in a film studio.

According to my laws, even sports games can be considered reality shows, no matter how much I'd hate to admit it.

What the H is the definition of reality tv?

I walked into class today with a certain view of the world, and now I am truly questioning my own beliefs. What the H is reality tv? People started saying football is reality tv...and I guess technically it is, but that just does not sound right. Calling football, a talk show, or a game show reality tv is like calling me Jabba Wabba, it's just weird. Is football played by real people? Yes. Do talk shows involve discussions with real people? Yes. But there is a distinction I feel like between these two subjects and reality tv. How often do you say to yourself "I think living with a bunch of Italians sounds great?!" Not very often I am assuming (I could be wrong, you might very well enjoy italians and their company), so how real is reality tv? Fights ensue, and people who are thrown in jail get right out. People who weren't fan favorites just happen to "quit" or get thrown off the show. The woman who was labeled a crack whore happens to get pregnant and change her whole outlook on life. It is all too perfect. Reality tv is in fact a hypocritical title (for the most part). When most people say Reality tv they think Snookie, Ronnie, the famous gay guy who came out of the closet on national tv, etc. This "fake" reality tv should become a new sub genre and the legitimate reality tv shows should retain the title of "reality" tv. Reality tv should be what its title suggest, real life, not showcasing a life of very little consequence(or lack there of), having all the time in the world to do whatever it is you please, or getting pregnant accidentally and the situation working itself out in the end. That is a falsehood.

Sports, the new form of RTV?

After last weeks stunning upsets of the Seattle Seahawks over the New Orleans Saints, as well as the New York Jets win over the Indianapolis colts, I wouldn't hesitate to say that sports could very well be considered a form of reality TV. First, its unscripted, this means that no one can possibly know for sure whats going to happen. People use statistics to try to guess, but nobody gave the Seahawks, who had a .500 (50%) winning percentage, (and a lot of holes in their passing, and defensive game) to beat the defending super bowl champs. Also, there is more drama in sports, than any other form of entertainment. Coaches and players get into arguments, rivalries known throughout the country. We even become united as a country every 4 years to watch the Olympics. I've seen grown, burly men cry at sporting events, as well as fights, and cheers so loud, the ground was shaken. Another fantastic example of upsets occurred last night when an unranked, and slovenly Florida State basketball team, took down the first seeded Duke team. Thats my argument for sports to be considered a form of reality TV, please comment on this if you agree or disagree STRONGLY, thanks!

What exactly is RTV????

I want to open up a discussion of what constitutes a reality television show. It is a genre of television that is infiltrating our society, but it isn't as clearly defined as we might think. Reality TV is a genre that contains many sub-genres (game shows, shows that promote awareness, celebrity based shows, shows that focus on cool careers, etc.) Even these sub-genres can be broken down into categories. Many of you have been asking this same question...what constitutes reality tv? Is a football game RTV? Is the nightly news RTV? Should talk shows be considered RTV? Why or why not? What are the defining factors of an RTV show? This is how wikipedia has defines RTV, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_television) and as you will see it is a long definition. You may be surprised at how long wikipedia claims RTV has been around, and by the shows that wikipedia considers to be reality television. Read this, ponder it, and then I want you to define RTV in your own words. What do you think it is? What must it contain to be considered RTV? If you find an interesting article or video clip that supports what you are saying or that adds to this conversation, post it.

Question

Do any of you guys watch The Hills? If so, do you consider the Hills to be a Reality TV show? What did you think about the ending of the last season? Did the ending make you change your mind about whether the show was scripted or not?

I Love RTV!

There is just something about reality TV that hooks me to watching it. It started with me loving Survivor, to watching the Bachelor every weekend, and now to watching shows such as The Jersey Shore on MTV. Reality shows have definitely have evolved from the time they first become popular. While I do enjoy watching the ridiculous types of reality TV shows such as The Jersey Shore, I like it solely for the reason that the stupidity of the characters are entertaining and very comical. I also really love the idea of The Real World, when seven (or eight) strangers get to live in a house together and we get to see their interactions with one another. I love the fact that the people in these types of reality TV shows are average people like us, and not paid actors. The things they do are supposed to be real (hopefully!), and thats what makes it more interesting to watch. One thing that has changed from reality TV shows in the past like Survivor, is I feel like today, a lot of reality TV shows are more scripted, which defeats the purpose of REALity. However, to me, whether it is 100% true or not, it can still be very entertaining!

Reality TV

When people think of reality TV, the first thing that comes to mind is television shows encouraging and promoting people displaying poor behavior, such as The Real World, Jersey Shore, and dating shows like Bret Michael’s Rock of Love. But there is a lot more to reality TV than just that. There are all kinds of reality TV shows on the air that appeal to all kinds of people. There are shows such as Top Chef, Storage Wars, Dog the Bounty Hunter, What Not to Wear, and more. Personally, I love reality TV. My favorite shows are Dirty Jobs, Pawn Stars, and The Real Housewives. I am not usually a huge fan of shows based around people fighting and making fools of themselves, but sometimes this is entertaining. I love how reality TV can show how people living their everyday lives can be interesting and you can learn from them. Weight loss shows, and shows about people with different lifestyles (like True Life on MTV) teach you a lot about what types of people there are in the world and can make you feel differently about your own and appreciate what you have. There are also a lot of informative shows out there that teach you, which is why I like Pawn Stars and Dirty Jobs. They bring up things I have never thought about or never knew, and I always feel like I have learned something new after watching an episode. Reality TV is not all bad, and many of these shows help people change their lives for the better.

RTV

I love reality TV. I don't have cable here therefore i watch all my shows online. My favorite show is Real World. It was on during the summer and me and my friends would get together the night it was on and watch it together. We made it this big ordeal. I'm not sure why i like it so much, probably just all the drama that happens, i guess its interesting and somethings on it can be related to me. Its very entertaining to try and figure out who is getting together and what personalities clash, what fighting will go on. They also during the show have a major project/job and its cool to watch and see how they do. I cannot stand Jersey Shore. i liked the first season then it got old real quick. It makes people think thats what all people from Jersey are and of course thats not true. It annoys me, especially how most people are completely obsessed with it. My sister loves Dr. Drew's Celebrity rehab. I however can't stand it! Its depressing, i don't like watching people cry all the time! For the most part i love reality Tv!

My Guilty Pleasure

I honestly love watching reality TV...I have to say that it is one of the top guilty pleasures in my life currently. I love watching all types of RTV such as The Biggest Loser, Jersey Shore, Chopped, and the list can go on and on. Currently one of my favorite reality Tv shows is Jersey Shore because the new season just came out. It's pure entertainment for me because I love watching these people make complete fools out of themselves on national television. I also like seeing how these peoples daily live differ compared to mine which is really interesting. Another one of my favorite reality Tv shows is TLC's What Not to Wear. I have watched this show for years and it never gets old to me. I love seeing the drastic makeovers that the show produces every time. I also love that one of the shows main goals is to teach people how to be confident with what they look like by teaching them how to dress properly for their age and body shape. On the other hand, there are a lot of reality TV shows that I don't enjoy at all so I don't really have a least favorite one per say. All in all I love watching all sorts of reality TV because there are so many interesting shows that catch my attention and keep me entertained.

Reality TV

Reality TV... You know I can honestly say when a chick walks up to me and is all like "HEYYYYYYY DID YOU WATCH JERSEY SHORE LAST NIGHT," I comment back "Snookie get a punch to the face? Nah Ronnie cheated on Sammie? OH OH THE SITUATION IS IN A SITUATION, a big one?!" It is the same thing over and over again. 16 and Pregnant? I hate seeing stupid hick girls at school, what makes you think I wanna see a hick girl on a rollercoaster of hormones and emotions on tv when I leave school to escape them? What's next? 17 and Pregnant with a twist...they're getting married!!! Let me clarify, I hate all MTV reality shows, they are poorly written and are the equivalent to what is flushed down a toilet.
However there are some awesome reality tv shows that make me laugh (I am probably not supposed to). Hoarders. When you have a lady that has so many damn cats that they eat the insulation of her home and die inside her walls, you have a brilliant show on your hands. You know why? Because there are people worse than her. Who saves their dog's shed fur because "I feel like he will die if I don't do this for him." WHAT?!Who says food is still good five years past the expiration date? Only a Hoarder.
That's only one show, but there are many more I can name such as Storage Wars(they make watching an auction interesting to watch without being a part of it, throw in some dramatic music with some sweaty,sunburned overweight bidders and classic close-ups on the auctioneers mouth and you have a worthy dvr'd show) or Extreme Coupons  (I hate Publix and grocery stores do to my past of working there and having to scrub Jersey Shore out of the toilets along with other miserable  chores) So most people would assume that I would hate an entire show who's whole premise takes place in a grocery store; yet they showed people buying 1000 dollars worth of groceries and purchasing it under 12 dollars...My God.
My basic rule with reality tv shows,70% of the time avoid MTV and stick with A&E, TLC, Discovery, History,etc.

RTV

I Like watching reality TV most of the time, especially when I'm bored. I sometimes find the stuff that goes on in reality television hilarious. Even though I watch it a alot I don't consider myself a die-hard fan. It's just really fun to watch. Some of my favorite reality shows are Jersey Shore, and The Real World. Theses shows are interesting and entertaining to watch. Jersey Shore is a funny because all the people the show portray the stereotype of "guidos". I like The Real World because it shows what could happen when real people are brought together in a real setting. One reality TV I hate is American Idol. I really can't stand that show. It used to be an interesting show watch when I was younger but as I got older I got really sick of the show. That show has been on the air for too long and they might as well cancel it.

RTV, corruption of the masses

We are in a state of crisis. Our nation is quickly being duped into becoming only a giant consumer of the materialistic lifestyle. With many reality TV shows one sees, there is and endless supply of eye candy to any viewer from nice cars, to nice clothes, to catered meals, and tons of spending money. This feeds our perception of a materialistic lifestyle as the "proper" way to live. Through this constant feed of mindless entertainment when one has "nothing better to do" we are swindled into believing that these are the types of lifestyles one should be having if they are successful in life. Thinking about living life towards such goals will only lead us down a damaging path beyond the Roman's own self-destructive reaches. By continuing this gluttonous lifestyle we will not only kill ourselves, but murder our earth in the process. This constant barrage of images feed us the facade that its okay to live this way. Nice cars, booze, clothes, and mansions are all such a natural life part. Not if we want our grandchildren to have a home to live on. The only shows that are worth watching, in my opinion, are ones that actually teach you knowledge something new, interesting, and useful to life events, advancements, and proofs. That is my true opinion, because i get nothing useful out of watching reality TV shows, while i have learned so much about life through the medium of film. Reality TV is very superficial to what life's focuses and capabilities are. RTV is like Hitler, getting the youth while their young, convincing them of lies as truth, and creating mindless drones for a machine hell bent on destruction of the planet, but this time slowly through consumerism, not Fascism.

Reality TV

Television has been taken over by storm by reality television. From MTV to TLC, you won’t find a shortage of reality shows. I amuse myself with sporadic followings of certain reality shows. As a an aspiring mixed martial artist I take genuine interest in only show. The Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV debuted in 2005 and has seen 12 full seasons air to date. Unlike most reality shows, the ultimate fighter serves a legitimate purpose for top tier up and coming fighters. The first ever finale between finalists Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin is often regarded as one of the most significant fights for mixed martial arts largest brand, The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The reality show consists of two coaches who are popular fighters in the UFC, namely those with bad blood between the two to make for entertaining television. Granted, there are fabricated scenarios and exaggerated confrontations, but this is expected in an attempt to compete with television ratings. The Ultimate Fighter offers an exclusive look at world class training and quality fights with legitimate implications for the fighters and fans of the sport. This “reality” show has molded twelve fighters who have competed or won championships in their respective divisions in the UFC. Aside from The Ultimate Fighter, no reality show has caught my interest to the point of me watching on a consistent basis. I only watch reality television such as Mythbusters, Deadliest Catch, and Pawn Stars. Shows like Jersey Shore and The Real World are exceptions because of the sheer amount of drama. If I ever need a good laugh I’ll watch some terrible MTV reality shows, otherwise I don’t even bother.

RTV

Now thinking back there are quite a reality t.v. shows that I enjoy. I get into the food network channel like Ace of Cakes or Cupcake Wars. Those are enjoyable to watch for me you see unique styles in both shows and you learn that baking is a lot more than just putting flour and eggs in a bowl. There is architecture and design so much more. I also like the Singing Bee on CMT my sisters and I love to watch that show together to see if we know the words to some songs. I really don't get into Jersey Shore or 16 and Pregnant because I just think it's stupid, why would I watch someone get totally wasted and hurt them self or watch a young girl struggle with a baby after her boyfriend left her. It's too depressing and just stupid overall, but that is my opinion because I do have a lot of friends who get into those shows I just don't see the point.

I have to admit, as a whole, I enjoy watching reality TV. When it's broken down and analyzed, it's ultimately stupid and ridiculous but that's what makes it entertaining. Take Jersey Shore for example, those people have become famous for making complete fools of themselves, but does that make us stupid because we sit there and watch them? I think we're just intrigued at the fact of other people down sizing themselves. We think it's stupid and a waste of time but still are prepared every thursday night at 10 pm to watch this group of people parade around and just be themselves. Other shows on TLC like "Little people, Big world" is more serious yet not so much informational, but people watch that for the sake of being entertained as well. The discovery channel and animal channel, and history channel are all informational realities and their clearly not as entertaining to some people as other ones might be. I enjoy watching shows on the food network channel and on TLC like cake boss and ace of cakes. I like watching the competition reality shows the most. Anything that is entertaining and that can get me laughing.

Reality or fake

Although i am guilty of watching reality shows, i have never been a die hard fan of any. Other than a 2 week obsession over American Idol, i had not been able to find anything entertaining. Until recently when i started watching Rob Dyrdek's fantasy factory. Although i have only seen three episodes it has deffinetly caught my attention and is going to be something i look forward to in the future. The show is entertaining because of the crazy thing Rob Dyrdek does. Also the fact that he has unlimited money helps it be entertaining and funny. But i am neither a fan or a hater of reality shows, im somewhere in the indifferent level of things. The most craze caused recently by a reality show was probably Jersey shore, although i have seen a couple episodes i have not been able to really get into it yet. Rather than reality shows i prefer sitcoms or shows such as Dexter. For this class im definetly going to watch more of Rob Byrdek and maybe get into Jersey Shore as well.

RTV love or hate it?

Reality TV, brings up this central thought of MTV or VH1's reality TV shows such as Jersey Shore and the like. These shows are definitely a Guilty Pleasure for many. Most find them enjoyable and some even find them to be a nuisance. Though, recently for this class I looked up reality TV shows and to my surprise... my favorite show happened to be on the list. :)

What I found was that we base our opinions mainly off of mainstream RTV, which tends to be most of the time derogatory. However if you delve further into it, I think we all have one or two shows that happen to be RTV that we love and enjoy.

Personally, I enjoy watching Bear Grylls go at it against the rough and tough nature in his show, Man vs. Wild. This show definitely sparks the interest because as a man, I would LOVE to go out into the wild and tough it out like he does. It's adventurous and exciting to the mind.

However, the shows that I do not enjoy as much would have to be the shows on MTV and the like which are derogatory to my morals. Yes, they are blown out of proportions but it still bothers me that it is aired because some people do not know the difference from a fantasy fun world such as Hollywood that the Jersey shore show lives in and the real world that we live in. Sure there is a fine line that connects and divides the two worlds, but I like to try to stay away from silly things that the TV likes to show sometimes (though this is all my own opinion).

:) tell me what you think

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Reality TV

I never really was into watching reality TV, until just recently, where I have found a few shows that I enjoy. My favorite show is by far Jersey Shore, I find it hilarious and it reminds me of when I used to live in New York because of the way that all of the people on the show talk with their accents. I also like the shows Pawn Stars and Cops. I like Pawn Stars due to how it teaches the audience how much things are worth and the negotiations in pawn shops and other businesses. I also like Cops, because being police officer is a career choice that I am interested in, along with how I used to always watch the show with my Dad, who was a cop as well, and would tell me all of his stories while he was on the job. The one show that I do not like at all is 16 and Pregnant, the one time I watched it I was forced to do it and found that although it is a very difficult situation, the girls on the show are extremely annoying. Overall, I find that reality shows are entertaining, especially if they are funny or teach me something interesting.

Reality TV

Personally, I do not watch too many reality TV shows but I do think they can be entertaining. It's always fun to see how good some people have it in life and it's also relieving to see there are others who go through the same problems as you in life or maybe even worse. I'm not the type of person to sit in front of the TV with the remote control and just flip through every channel expecting to find something good, but when I do watch TV I more than likely already know what show or movie to watch. The only reality TV shows I can recall watching are Jersey Shore (of course) and Extreme Makeover. Of course I've caught a glimpse every now and then of shows like The Amazing Race, Wife Swap, etc. but I've never been too interested in them. I guess I'm more inclined to watch comedic shows like The Office or Weeds than shows that are only about other people's lives, unless the reality TV show is funny or just captivating.

RTV

I find that a lot of rtv is very entertaining. I do like to watch some of the shows. I love watching them because all of them are good in their own way. Ya, it's not always the best show out there, but they are fun to watch and always good for a laugh. While, most of them aren't meant to be taken seriously, like Jersey Shore and Cutthroat, there are still some good ones out there like World of Jenks and The Amazing Race. RTV shows are all a matter perspective and what you want to watch. Some are meant to be eye opening and showcase problems while others are just meant to make you laugh for an hour. But by watching any rtv show, they accomplished their goal of drawing you in and keeping your attention.

RTV: Boredom's Last Resort

To me, reality television is something that should not be taken seriously in most circumstances. I don't necessarily love it, but I also don't hate it. Watching reality TV is basically something I watch when I want to either get my mind off something or am extremely bored and there is nothing else good on TV. Some of the shows I have watched in the past include: Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Flipping Out, What Not to Wear, NatGeo documentaries, Celebrity Rehab, and Gene Simmon's Family Jewels. My two favorite shows are Gene Simmon's Family Jewels and Keeping Up With the Kardashians, mainly because I find their individual personalities along with their family dynamics very entertaining and comical. The shows also deal with issues that a lot of families in the "real world" deal with, however the shows can put some things into a different perspective that can help people/ families going through similar things feel better. My least favorite show (right below Jersey Shore) is Bridalplasty, which a brand new show in its first season on Entertainment Television. It is a show where a group of soon-to-be brides are put into a mansion together and compete in wedding-related challenges. The prize for winning a challenge is a plastic surgery procedure of their choice, and the ultimate prize is a "perfect" wedding. Personally I find this show to be horrible. These women have such a negative self-image that they feel they need to change every aspect of their body in order to have a good wedding, when what they should be focusing on is the person they are marrying. All in all, I feel reality TV is a good escape from your own reality, but in some circumstances can be detrimental to society.

RealityTV

There are many Reality TV shows out there. I think everyone could find something that they enjoy watching at some point. I personally am not a huge fan but I find some of them entertaining to watch. I don't really enjoy watching all of the drama, fighting and breakups on Jersey Shore. I don't really see how it became so popular, maybe I just never watched it enough to really get into it. I also don't like the shows about teen pregnancy. The way I see it is teen pregnancy is not a positive thing why would you make a whole show about it. Some of the Reality TV shows I find pointless to watch. I do watch shows like So you think you can dance, American idol and Mythbusters, shows like these i find interesting every once in a while because I like watching shows about talent or ones that I can learn something from.

Reality TV: limitless

Reality TV is a broad genre, with a wide variety of topics that can appeal to anybody's tastes. The immensely popular British show Top Gear has recently been transformed into an American Version, and in the American version there was recently a race between a speed boat, a sea plane, and a Lotus. This race took place mid-day, on a civilian highway (and obviously in the air, and sea), the police warned the driver not to speed over a bridge for safety reasons, the driver ignored the warning, endangering himself and the film crew in an attempt to win. Well he was caught, and justly cited. However their was a deeper impact in his actions, he taught young drivers that it is okay to not obey the "rules of the road." However, many reality shows are actually very beneficial to their viewers. Shows like: I shouldn't be alive, and Man vs. Wild can teach us important survival skills. Shows like: Pawn Stars, and, American Pickers teach us the value of every day objects, as well as how our history is still relevant today, with the use of the wacky miscellaneous objects that they deal with every day. This Variety of reality television goes to show not just the genre's variety, but the variety of viewers that reality TV has.

Reality TV Thoughts

There is just something about reality TV shows that make me throw up a little, every time I watch them, they just dont go down well. Maybe its because most of these reality programs are essentially overdone game shows sprinkled in with episodes of lets-get-drunk-and-see-who-can-embarass-themselves-the-most (I'm looking at you "Jersey Shore" and "Real World"). Or perhaps it's my own jealous nature that prevents me from watching and enjoying others be awarded lavish grand prizes. I mean watching "Pimp My Ride" doesn't exactly make me feel better about my rusting '99 Camry, and unless I'm receiving a portion of the one million dollars bestowed to "Survivor: Nicaragua" champion, Jud Birza, I don't see why I shouldn't keep flipping through the channels. Still other reality shows, profile the everyday ongoings of several celebrity families whose lives tend to be just as monotonous and boring as ours.

However there are exceptions, for one ,"Mythbusters", is a thoroughly entertaining science reality show that is also somewhat educational, a rarity for the genre. While "Cops" is absolutely thrilling! Real Officers chasing down real criminals, its the closest you get to riding shotgun with an actual police officer, minus the bulletproof vest.

If you haven't guessed by now, I am not the biggest reality show fan, but the fact that each channel features a reality show, or two,(or three) means they are firmly cemented in the television landscape. So for now, I guess I'll just pop an Alka-Seltzer next time "Jersey Shore" comes on.