Abstract This paper explores the role of actors and popular personalities on shaping society, especially when seen on reality TVshows. The author explains the appeal of reality TV and further describes the methodology used in this study. Additionally, the psychological factors of being a viewer of reality TV are discussed. Some of the pitfalls of this research project from a sociological standpoint are presented and analyzed. The paper contains a long discussion on qualitative research and how this approach is applied to this study of reality TV. The paper also contains a chart that categorizes reality TV characters.
Outline:
Methodology
Rationale
Reality TV as a Social Observation Experiment
Conducting Credible Sociological Research
The Nature of Qualitative Research
Reality TV Character Categorization
Transforming Observational Data into Numerical Form
Works Cited
From the Paper " Reality TV is one of the most popular genres in the mass media today. The viewership of these programs increases at an astonishing rate. Reality TV allows the viewer to combine both reality and fantasy in a unique blend. We know that the characters have some effects on the adults that watch. However, until now this subject has received little attention. Some of the characters on reality TV would not be considered role models a major portion of the society. The proposed research will examine the presence of negative role models in British Reality Television."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that culture has many forms, through which one could define the way one lives, the way one interacts and how one perceives things. Further, the writer maintains that one is molded by cultural elements that evolve as society faces the developments of time. The writer explains that what is considered "pop culture" mostly refers to various elements in society that are most often portrayed in art, music and television. The writer focuses on the trend of reality TV. The writer concludes that one could therefore evaluate that popular culture has given birth to a not general or abstract display of people's beliefs, attitudes and emotions in the modern period. The writer claims that reality TVshows are a representation of the culture of people, a repetition of cultural pattern that may be presented in a modified manner depending on how it is perceived and accepted by the public viewers.
From the Paper "Reality TV was mostly popular beginning 2000. Many shows were created wherein participants compete with each other in real-life situations. Other shows just simply displayed the daily home activities of an individual or group of individuals. Such shows are not scripted and do not involve professional acting. Thus, what the participants portray on the screen is real and spontaneous. Because of this, Reality TV became a hit because it portrays attitudes or behavior and actions that are reflection of what is being practiced in the real world. The fact that viewers patronize the show, it could lead to a conclusion that they can relate to what they see on their television screens. This could be an indicator of the public's familiarization of patterns of culture which is found in these reality television shows."
Abstract This paper offers an in-depth review of how the family has been depicted in TV sit-coms and the like over the past 50 years. It examines dozens of shows and discusses how the roles of the husband and wife, and the values within the family has evolved. Also looks at racial issues.
From the Paper "In the fifty years between the first season of I Love Lucy to the first season of The Osbournes, the ethics, mores and socio-economic configuration of the TV-viewing audience has changed greatly. Closely aligned to the revaluated morals of contemporary society have been the representations of family on television. Of particular significance is the way in which the sitcom family is depicted on American TV. Throughout the history of the sitcom, the mother and father and children have adhered to a consistent and perpetuated set of stereotypes informing the way they act. Largely, these representations are dictated by the social class and economic situation of the characters. From their beginnings in a pleasant romp in suburban middle class existence, the members of the sitcom family have become edgier and more prone to throw insults at each other. Conflict has always threatened the family, but with a new age comes transformed values and new forms of danger to the family unit. Issues of sexuality, violence and substance abuse have increasingly played a major role in the lives of TV families over the past three decades. Though the troubles they face may be more serious than the fifties sitcom predicament, and they have changed greatly from the respectable ideals of the fifties sitcom, the family, as will be demonstrated, is perhaps as strong, if not stronger than ever."
Abstract This paper examines the phenomenon that is "The Simpsons" which is currently the longest-running animated television series. This paper explores the inspiration behind Groenig's amusing yet dysfunctional family which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. The writer of this paper contends and explains how and why Homer Simpson should be considered an American icon. This paper proves that Homer Simpson represents America's moral majority. This paper delves into how Groenig's concept of the "The Simpsons" symbolizes cultural America in the 1990s which explains the show's long-running success. This paper analyzes the character of Homer Simpson who according to the writer represents the typical all-American dad and husband.
From the Paper "This basic argument of this report is that Homer Simpson represents the typical American father and husband as anti-hero. He makes a lot of mistakes as a character and is no ways perfect, in fact being very much the opposite of perfect in an exaggerated way. He gains the status of icon not through being heroic, but by being fallible and vulnerable to external problems. The rise of the anti-hero in American society was a twentieth century phenomenon. When people watched television in the fifties there was an Ozzie and Harriet ideal that wasn't really reflected in society, and this and other circumstances led to the formation of a new culture in the mid twentieth century which particularly valued the fallible or human hero, or anti-hero, as a sort of shock to the system."
Abstract A look at the the effects of TV violence on the lives of children. The author includes real life examples and examines the constitutional attack on television violence as child violence escalates. An examination of the debates taking place.
From the Paper "In most people's homes there sits an outlet for violence that often goes unnoticed. It is the television, and the children who view it are often pulled into its realistic world of violent scenes with sometimes devastating results. Most parents don"t realize what their children are being exposed to. They know that their children are watching TV, whether they know what they"re watching or not, and how it can affect them later in life is a different story."
Abstract In this article, the writer examines the O.J. Simpson case in which Simpson was put on trial for the murder of his ex-wife. The writer provides a summary of the case and then discusses that today, 11 years after the case ended, the debate over Simpson's innocence or guilt continues. The writer notes that Simpson, a college football star, has moved on with his life. However, his reputation haunts him. The writer comments that, throughout the trial and even now, people around the world have conflicting and strong opinions about whether or not Simpson is guilty. The writer points out that some say he looked guilty and displayed behavior that is commonly associated with abusive husbands and privileged celebrities, however, others truly believe that he is an innocent victim of a racist system. The writer concludes that regardless of whether Simpson is guilty or innocent, he is a free man.
Outline:
Introduction
Summary
Guilty or Not?
Conclusion
From the Paper "The prosecution seemed to have a strong case at first, as Simpson had a clear motive, an opportunity and no alibi. He had a history of physically abusing and harassing Nicole and had made violent threats against her. The prosecution proved that he had recently bought a knife similar in size and shape to what was believed to be the murder weapon. Finally, it was believed that Simpson dropped the bloody gloves, one at the crime scene and one at his home, and that he wore shoes the same size as those found at the crime scene."
"The defense case was not nearly as strong. There were no witnesses to the crime and no actual murder weapon could be found. However, the defense argued that Simpson was framed by police officers and found numerous flaws in the police evidence. They argued that Simpson was as a black victim of a white judicial system, on trial simply because he was a black man and the victim was a white woman."
Abstract This paper analyzes Vincent Bugliosi's "Outrage", who recounts and attacks all the problems and mistakes he believes were made in the trial of OJ Simpson, and the reasons why Simpson was not convicted for the murder of his ex-wife and her boyfriend.
From the Paper "Author Vincent Bugliosi states that O.J. Simpson's acquittal is one of the most gross cases of injustice in the history of the legal system. He claims that O.J. walked not because he is innocent of the murders, but rather, that the circumstances surrounding the evidence, the weak and flawed case presented by the prosecution, the legal gaffs made my Judge Lance Ito, and that pertinent and damaging evidence was left out of the court proceedings all contributed to Simpson's verdict of innocent. The result is that O.J. ?walked.? "
Tags: justice, outrage, Christopher, Reeve, Simpson, Ito
Abstract This paper is a creative essay on how Homer Simpson of the popular television series "The Simpsons", sees various aspects of life, such as family, fitness, job, and religion.
From the Paper " In the colorful world of Homer Simpson there are many interesting opinions but only a few core principles. The first and most admirable is devotion to family. Homer loves his wife and children and although his value in the family is ..."
Abstract This paper describes the reality TVshow "Big Brother" as a twenty-four hour display of humanity living in a social group environment The author stresses that this show is not reality because the participants are in an elimination contest to win $500,000. The emotional baggage the contestants bring to the group living environment, combined with the range of personalities, tends to make human beings look very bad. The paper traces the history of reality TV and concludes that these shows present a society that has surrendered its right to privacy altogether.
From the Paper "Anyone who thought that reality TV was a phase that television viewers were going through, and one that would fade as quickly as it debuted, is no doubt sadly disappointed these many years later following the debut of the first reality show, "Survivor", which demonstrated how shallow and nasty cold human nature could be. Still, that show, like "Big Brother", it, too, has survived since 2000, and audiences show no sign of growing tired of the increasing number of reality shows ranging being the object of Donald Trump's abuse, to a group of young women competing for some cow herder's affections."
Abstract This eight page undergraduate paper examines reality TV and its impact on viewers, producers, and the television industry itself. Through summarizing the main content of the reading, the writer shows that a structured analysis can be formulated which confirms that the interest of the television audience drives the process. The writer points out that TV producers react to what the public wants to see, and it is obvious from the ratings success of reality shows that they are very popular.
From the Paper "Conducting an independent study of television is useful and instructive, for it provides an opportunity to analyze the challenges, concepts, and arguments involved concerning reality TV and its impact on viewers, producers, and the television industry itself. Through summarizing the main content of the reading, a structured analysis can be formulated which confirms that the interest of the television audience drives the process. TV producers react to what the public wants to see, and it is obvious from the ratings success of reality shows that they are very popular. In "Addicted to the Tube" author Mark Pizzato's main argument is that people are vulnerable to becoming addicted to television because it stirs the human desire for fantasy and escapism."
Abstract This paper on Popular TV Game Shows, explains the main reasons accountable for the popularity of famous game shows such as Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. The paper also focuses on people's opinions regarding the thrilling entertainment provided by the show and the reasons, which placed them on the favorite, TVshows list of people. The paper also reviews on how these games are played.
Abstract The writer of this paper conducts a genre analysis of "The Real World" and "The Surreal Life". "The Real World" is one of the pioneers of the current reality TVshows, first coming on the air in 1992. It features average everyday individuals living together in often lavish apartments in
different U.S. cities. "Surreal Life" is a relative newcomer compared to "The Real World", having first been broadcast in January 2003. It explains that the premise of this show is similar in that the cast involves individuals living together in a lavish apartment or house, but the individuals on this show are, or once were, famous. My writer's thesis is that the change in cast of characters between "The Real World" and "The Surreal Life" is typical of developments within the genre. The writer proposes to show that the current run of shows typified by "The Surreal Life", concentrating on strange people and extreme situations and primarily negative emotions, is indicative of the current state of reality TV taken to its absolute limits.
From the Paper "The real history of reality TV starts in 1973 with a documentary that appeared on public television entitled An American Family. This 12-part series, which was filmed over a period of a year and half, showed the life and struggles of the Loud family in Santa Barbara, California. The show was innovative in that its cast of characters were not actors, but instead were real individuals going about their everyday tasks, which were familiar to viewers of the show. But just because the characters in the show were not professional actors, this show illustrated, did not mean that there was any lack of tension, drama, or interesting plots. During the course of the show, Lance, the eldest son, came out of the closet as gay, and Bill and Pat Loud divorced. The show obviously anticipated reality TV in more ways than one. I believe that The Real World is a product of An American Family."
Tags: cultural, culture, mass, pop, studies, survivor, television
Abstract This paper presents a look at children, television and American values. The writer collects and reviews empirical evidence about the way television affects American values in the children of the nation. The writer uses a survey approach and conducts a study of children age 5-10 year old and combines the results in this paper.
From the Paper "American values are as American as apple pie. When one has children one of the things they hope for is that they can raise those children to have strong American values, which might include respect for others, hard work and the ability to accept diversity. Often times the lack of American values is blamed on the things that children watch on television. Experts claim that the television shows that are popular today with children send a message to the children that they do not have to have values to be well liked and successful in life. Research is firmly divided on the issue and the debate continues. American values can be confusing for anyone who has to depend solely on television to attain them. Television shows today target audiences of children not only with the content of the show but with the commercials that are supporting the show. Even when the age bracket in question is not being targeted they watch and they learn from the messages that are sent."
Analyzes several reality TVshows that pertain to love and dating, including the "Bachelor," "Blind Date," and "5th Wheel," and looks at their attraction for society.
Abstract This study researches various reality television shows with themes of love and/or dating. The paper summarizes and analyzes various shows that each main network has aired. These networks include Paramount Domestic Television, Universal Worldwide Television, and Telepictures. It discusses how these networks used fame and exceptionally good-looking contestants to gain viewers. The paper discusses which shows have been popular and which have failed. It analyzes the use of stereotypes in dating reality shows and suggests why these shows are popular in American culture.
From the Paper "Although shows which focus on a plot and script about love and dating have existed for decades, reality television has taken them to a whole new level which has recently become more popular and the focus of attention in American culture. Since the late nineties, the big networks such as ABC, NBC and CBS, as well as smaller or cable channels such as WB and MTV have scurried to broadcast their own love or dating based reality show that will be the next big hit among viewers. This genre of dating based reality television which was basically non-existent until recent television history now competes for the top slots in television ratings and sometimes earns them. Each channel has their own dating based reality show which they are best known for. By taking a look at each of these popular shows, one can get a better understanding of why love has become a particularly popular subject to focus on in reality television."
