Television is a conventional way of entertainment, as it beholds a place in every household for many decades now. But what makes it so attractive to its viewers? Undoubtedly, when switching on our TV, somewhere along all that surfing, on a random TV channel, there is at least one reality show on.
The Greek television, and definitely the international one, broadcasts a big variety of reality shows. We usually end up watching them when looking for some “easy fun” so our minds can relax from the tiring pace of reality. The show is there when we come back from work or from university and we feel just tired and weary. It’s moments like these that it seems difficult to pick up a book or watch a documentary or do any of those truly worthwhile activities. What we need is a few moments of relaxation before a new day begins once more and we ought to go back to our responsibilities,whatever they may be. And somewhere along the way, this need for a few careless moments leads us to watch reality shows…
Is this kind of entertainment enough for us? If not, why do we continue to watch them so devotedly?
Reality shows have something that attracts us to say the least. They present situations and incidents that seem familiar, adding however a tad of exaggeration as well. They seek schemes and plotting, competitiveness, and tension, resulting to get a hold of their audiences in their ecstasy and suspense. The answer to their success lies in the inactivity of the audience, as not much thought is required to analyze them. They are ready-made, simple and unraveling just then and there. The audience may choose to participate, become commentators, critics or players themselves, and all that from the comfort of their own couch.
At the same time, however, reality shows awaken all the worst qualities of human nature. Just think for a moment what it is that we truly receive from reality shows. Behind the spotlight, the directors and presenters with their witty lines, these shows are based on jealousy and rivalry among their participants. Set-up fights and snide comments excite their audiences. Even complete and direct antagonism is warmly welcomed by those watching.
How do you think all the above reflect on society? Surely, the answer isn’t the least positive. First of all, they promote the wrong behavioral models which in a way mostly inflict the psychology of young people, who are sensitive to this type of situations. Additionally, these shows seem to imply that the best way for one to achieve a goal is to go about it by exploiting and degrading others. In other words, it is the rule of an eye for an eye.
It is all these negative feelings promoted by reality shows which are the true source of our troubles and problems to communicate with others. At the same times, it is those same problems that keep us back from taking a step further and evolving. So, isn’t perhaps about time to be changing this?
Instead of sitting in front of our TV, just because “there’s nothing else to watch” or just because we feel bored, wasting our free time passively, we can choose different ways of entertaining ourselves, ways that may contribute to our greatly needed evolution.
This is because life is neither about the screen, this magic box we call television, nor about its spectacles and show business. We solely have the potential to change society and whatever we find unjust in it. Therefore, let us not believe in such fruitless means of entertainment but on our own beliefs.
Translation: Niki Saridaki
