According to the Oxford English Dictionary, reality television is defined as U.S. television programs that focus on non-fictional subject matter, primarily with the aim of providing entertainment rather than information. () Although recently popular, reality television is in no way a new creation in television programming. Reality television dates back to the late 1940’s when Candid Camera was at its peak ratings (Biressi 72). However, most of the reality television shows on air today fail to meet the true definition of reality. Reality television is characterized by light weight or handheld cameras capturing people in unscripted events and being broadcast to the masses (Kilborn 12). Cops or Real TV are television programs that fit the reality …show more content…
Reality television shows all feature a stereotypical racial character; although African Americans are generally stereotyped more than other races. The term, “The Evil Black Woman” has been used to describe this sort of individual: brazen, aggressive, pointing fingers, and always lecturing others on how to behave (Kilborn 150). Black men have also been heavily stereotyped in reality television. On most reality television programs, black males are shown as either: angry and violent, lazy and stupid, sexually aggressive and dominating, or any combination of the six (Kilborn 164). When the journalist Kevin Powell appeared on MTV's ''Real World'' during its first season in 1992, the producers turned him into a prototype for what would become a cliché’ character on reality television: the temperamental black man (Balkin 40-41). Reality television shows further promote the racial stereotypes of black men and women by only casting one black cast member on the show per season. African Americans are often profiled as an entirety by the black cast members on reality television programs. Reality television does not show a wide spectrum of black men or women—educated, uneducated, athletic, quiet, or politically active—instead the producers are focused on generating an edgy show and finding cast members who will bring controversy or scandal to the program. Stereotyping in reality television …show more content…
On the contrary, reality television serves many beneficial purposes not only to the public, but the TV industry as well. It is hard to believe that shows that have paved a way for teens and young adults to overcome problems of emotional, physical and psychological natures are labeled as part of the genre that serves no value (Balkin 14-15). The Real World and Road Rules, brought to viewers by MTV, provide perspectives on gay culture and so many more issues that some viewers may otherwise never be exposed to except through reality television. Sure, these topics are portrayed on soap operas and dramas, but it is reality TV that brings real people with real problems into the lives of the viewers. What shows distract everyday people from their own reality? Shows like Survivor, The Bachelor and American Idol are just a few of the reality shows that have captivated the attention of the viewers and provided them an escape. After a long day at work or school viewers often come home to more work or bills to pay. Then they try to unwind with a little TV, only to find news reports of murder, tragedy, or political mud slinging. Reality shows transport viewers to other people’s lives where they are not constantly bombarded with pressing news briefs. For thirty minutes viewers escape the worries of their life and instead