What is it about reality TV that has us glued to the television screen? How many people can relate too writhing and that of the head shake shiver in a bid to stop peeing our pants, all because we fear missing the next jibe or hint of rudeness blurted from the mouth of a big brother contestant. What of "I'm a celebrity get me out of here," a show where famous celebs are left in the Australian jungle to fend for themselves. The celebrities have to face their fears in somewhat unimaginable circumstances just to put food in their belly. Most jungle edibles digested in camp is not through choice, it is the challenge of the bush tucker trial menu which has us see celebs squirm while eating grubs and kangaroo testicles. Okay, not nice, in fact sickening, but if crunching cockroaches and eating the head of a grasshopper boosts television ratings, then the jungle inhabitants will always be part of our lives.
If reality shows were directed more to helping youngsters, then this nation would be full of highly qualified MENSA boffins, hugely because of the interest kids take in this sort of entertainment.
Famous people are a powerful force to get a message across. I am not disputing that "I'm a celebrity get me out of here," is not entertaining, but where is the learning in this, it is not every day our kids are left stranded in the jungle. We need reality TV to step up the power it has and make reality TV an educational experience. In the big brother house there is nothing to be learned aside from swearing. It accommodates British non-entities who doss around all day back stabbing and arguing, in hope of winning money along with fame, who wants to be famed for this type of behaviour. Behaviours stemming from achievement are a type of fame worthy of recognition.
If reality TV offered incentives then our kids are looking towards a brighter future. I believe India aired a programme called "Scholar Hunt Destination UK" it offered the 14,000 entrants the opportunity to win an all expenses paid place on an undergraduate degree programme in the United Kingdom. The winner secures a place at the University of Warwick studying Engineering. Now that is contributing to society in a way that is beneficial. Television producers need to create in children a hunger for a good education. I just read that reality TV goes against everything we teach our kids about tolerance, of course this may well be true, but it can also have its benefits if tastefully done, like India's incentive. However we still have a catch 22 situation, production managers need to give the public choice.
Television is a great ally in helping children and adults further their education. A lot can be learned from Animal Planet - Life In The Amazon Rain Forest or Living Under Water so on. Television can take us around the world without having to leave our armchair, give us perspective on other cultures, and take us all sorts of places we can only ever dream of.
1 Celebrity Love Island, what's this all about? The only thing to be learned from this is, that twelve famous faces embark on 5 weeks of sun bathing and flirting on the beautiful island of Fiji looking for love, so what, who cares, because not all are true to their word while their spouse seeks divorce.
2 Survivor - Mark Burnett takes the recognition for hit television shows like "Survivor" and "The Apprentice," which each regularly pull in 20 million viewers. Wow this is big numbers; imagine if this Burnett was let loose in helping to educate our children, then reality TV may not be so bad after all. Many reality shows have come and gone since producers stranded the first "Survivor" contestants in 2000, but Burnett has proven this by beating his rivals and sticking with what he does best. Every year since its beginning, "Survivor" has won the People's Choice Award for favourite reality show. It has also been nominated 14 times for an Emmy, coming out on top twice..
The BBC and ITV clashed as talent contests Britain's Got Talent and I'd Do Anything went head to head in a battle to boost ratings. The UK show Britain's got talent has seen teen dancer George Sampson crowned the winner of the contest. Let us hope he invests his 100,000 prize wisely. Britain's Got Talent pulled in 14 million viewers. Bhangra dancers Signature came second and young singer Andrew Johnston was third. The BBCs I'd Do Anything has averaged between five and six million viewers each week. Jodie Prenger was crowned winner and will play role of Nancy in the West End production of Oliver! The 28 year-old, from Blackpool, beat competition from Irish teenager Jessie Buckley to win the public vote.
Let us take rating figures from a couple of reality shows like Survivor and The Apprentice each pulling in 20 million viewers, add them together gives us 40 million. Another 20 million avid fans from Britain's got talent and I do anything - gives us now a grand total of 60 million, that is an amazing number which producers need to take note of and use constructively. Planning a show that is educational, fun and interesting would certainly help 60 million children who need support in understanding what it is that needs to be understood for them to get on in life.
» left by Susan Thom(8,322) Susan Thom (86 days 4 hours ago.)
hi kacycarr,
what an interesting and innovative article. i agree wholeheartedly that our kids need to be able to get interested in a reality show that helps them learn lessons and grow. thanks for sharing,
best regards,
sue thom Respond to this comment
» left by Kacy Carr (85 days 19 hours ago.)
And thanks for reading Susan. A lot can be learned if those in the position of being able to teach would take advantage of these type situations. Have a nice day
Kacy
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