Reality Shows

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that reality television does not have a moral framework as a motivation for its existence. The paper then examines the perspective of those who create the shows and those who participate and goes on to reveal that reality shows represent probably one of the best sources of profit available to television producers. The paper concludes that despite their questionable morality and the ethical problems they raise, each of these shows have the free consent of their participants. The paper therefore concludes that given the fact that the public enjoys them, the future of the reality shows appears to be bright.

From the Paper:

"One of the presidents of NBC television stated at one point that "reality programming is not just a fad, it's a trend... and it is a genre that is going to be around for a while" (Madger, 2004, 141). Reality television can indeed be considered to be one of the most innovative and catchy TV programs of the last years. They are willing to capture the every move of an individual and the individual is in his turn willing to share his moves with probably millions of people from around the world or from a certain country. In the last decade, this means of television has become one of the most popular television programs in the world. However, despite its entertainment role, there are several ethical issues concerning this subject, some which must be analyzed in order to assess the degree in which the value of a documentary can be substituted by the one of a reality show."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Baudrillard, J. 1994. The procession of simulacra, in Simulacra and Simulation, trans. Sheila Faria Glasee, University of Michigan Press, Michigan, pp. 1-42.
• Blum, V.L 2003. Flesh Wounds: the culture of cosmetic surgery, University of California Press, pp 226-261.
• Brenton, S. and Cohen, R. 2003. Shooting People: adventures in reality TV, Verso, London & New York, pp. 108-144.
• Burton, G. 2000. Television Features, in Talking Television: an introduction to the study of Television, Oxford University Press, New York, pp 258-302.
• Hall, D. E. 2004. Manufactured lives and reality TV. Subjectivity. Routledge, New York, pp. 118-134

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