Understanding The Attention Behind Reality Television

It is 2015 and many people of all ages just can’t seem to get enough reality television shows; the glamour, the lights, the makeup, the camera crew following their every move, conversation and argument. Many popular reality shows promote negativity and vanity over humility, resulting in a society that is more concerned about what people think.

The twenty-first century rave of reality shows shouldn’t be a surprise to many of us considering the fact that our society exhibits an extreme love towards conceit and self-indulgence; but why? It’s time to be cognizant of the void that we as people avoid. The French philosopher, Blaise Pascal wrote, “What else does this craving and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in a man true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty point and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him...” In other words, Pascal was prophesizing and showing awareness of the inner void that individuals have within to fill emptiness with emptiness. Money, cars, sex, drugs, alcohol are some things Pascal was referring to. The society in which we reside in, often disregards virtue and jumps to “feeling good” and “looking good” for the public eye. Reality television reflects just that. Scripted or unscripted, reality shows often shoot for the objective of naturalness, regular lives, but subliminally reach the objective of empty inner voids. Reality shows are giving the idea episode after episode, season after season, hour after hour that there is no way out or no destination to legitimate joy, but instead external happiness to having or possessing something within. Reality shows often fail to mention that there is a positive way to overcome void or the need of possession and that joy is feasible. Physiatrist Viktor Frankl, also stated, “People who live with this existential crisis “lack the awareness of a meaning worth living for. They are haunted by the experience of their inner emptiness, a void within themselves; they are caught in that situation which I have called the ‘existential vacuum.” Comparing this quote to reality shows, Frankl says in “existential vacuum” as a life without meaning, or inner void. Frank Sinatra once said, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But are materials and possessions the only key to life? Reality television shows often shows fail to notice and subliminally promote that a person’s life consists of items possessed and portray a self-worth void.

Let’s take a look at Keeping Up with the Kardashians as they celebrate their eleventh season. For a start, the Kardashian family owes its originality to their father, Robert Kardashian, who helped defend the O.J Simpson case. Kim Kardashian was also a mass asset to their family’s publicity from her sex-tape with the former rapper, Ray J. As we have seen the rolling seasons of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, what do they value? Kim values the self-cure and appearance of purchasing the $400,000 Rolls Royce, as well as switching it out with another car when she doesn’t feel like driving it. Kourtney Kardashian is on her third child, with Scott Disick, out of wed-lock, perhaps to fill an absence of her father void? We are exposed to their lives on a screen and we see what they possess. They can literally have what they want in their grasp when they want it. For example, a throwback episode in 2010, Kylie Jenner was envious of Kendall Jenner being able to take modeling pictures, get them revised by her parents (Kris and Bruce Jenner), and submit them to a modeling agency. Kylie Jenner attempted the same act as Kendall in the beginning of the episode to get pictures taken, get them revised by Kris and Bruce and submit them to an agency. Kylie throws a hissy fit about not being able to submit them sooner than Kendall. Long story short, as the end of the episode, Kris and Bruce got Kendall and Kylie both involved in the modeling industry. Kylie received her instant gratification and her inner void of envy and anger, and all problems were resolved. In conclusion, for most, our voids cannot be solved as quickly as reality stars can receive that instant happiness.

Reality shows capture the attention of diverse audiences daily. These audiences often include young girls and young women. Many reality shows portray women glorifying excellence and being a certain size, often giving the impression that a woman’s worth depends on her appearance. They often give off the message that fame is only from being or meeting the standards of “beautiful.” Reality TV may come off as a harmless and ineffective source of entertainment, but young girls view it and it effects them more than we think. Girl Scouts Research institute conducted a study on how girls perceive and interpret the media and how women are portrayed. According to GirlScouts.org, “9 in 10 girls say that the fashion industry and the media place a lot of pressure on teenage girls to be thin.” “47% of girls say media gives them a body image to strive for.” “38% of girls that view reality television believe that their value is based on looks”

We often question why women aren’t taken more serious in striving to advance in professional atmosphere. We often wonder why our stereotypes are just about looking good all of the time. As opposed to seeing what women can be and become- a lawyer, a scientist, a chef. Now-a-days, girls are exposed to Teen Mom, Housewives, the Kardashians, and countless other reality shows. Girls are to understand that image isn’t everything and often times, the media and reality shows feed them lies of what they are supposed to be and look like. Reality shows like Jersey Shore, Laguna Beach, The Hills, and other reality shows have accomplished the public showcase of “perfect bodies.” Reality television is easy access for young girls and women and can highly influence their self-esteem. For example, Heidi Montag, from the former reality show The Hills, withstood ten plastic surgery performances in 2010. She had a brow lift, Botox injection in her forehead, nose job, lip injections, chin reduction, neck liposuction, ears pinned back, breast augmentation, liposuction in waist and thighs, and but injections. Another example, Kylie Jenner, 17 years old, purchased lip fillers. As we see the reality stars undergo these transformations, it is equivalent to a person that is not secure about themselves or doesn’t love themselves enough due to external pressure. Young girls and young women may see the reality show stars and become hesitant about their natural physiques, battle with low self-esteem, or struggle with diet, but on the bright side of things, some young girls and women may view it as pure entertainment, they are comfortable in their own skin, and the reality show they just viewed for an hour is in their short term memory. It all depends on that individual.