It’s nothing new or noteworthy that the “reality” genre has taken over our televisions for going on a decade.
For the most part these shows are boiled down to water cooler conversations at work, or guilty pleasures that we rarely admit to watching. These shows are blamed for the over-sexualization of young women, sensationalizing drugs, alcohol, and violence, and reinforcing that the way you look influences your chance of success more than any amount of talent does. But does anyone ever consider the positive social impact that reality shows could have?
Long ago, I abandoned the competition-style of Reality TV shows, shows like American Idol, Survivor, The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars, America’s Got Talent… I could keep going but I won’t. Personally, I just got tired of the premise, but the documentary-style of this genre has had much more impact on me. I think these shows are worthy of being judged apart from other Reality shows. I started wondering about a positive side of Reality Television after one very specific instance while watching the show Sister Wives on TLC.
When I first heard about the show, I won’t lie, I was disgusted. I did not see the appeal in watching the male chauvinist, Kody Brown, parade around showing off the three wives he controls and all of their children. Oh and off on the side he’s going out courting another wife. Pft, No thank you.
One snowy day, there happened to be a marathon of Sister Wives, and there was nothing much else on TV. I figured I’d give it a chance to prove me wrong. Very soon into that first episode, my opinions started to shift.
I ended up sitting there watching the entire marathon. Near the end, my parents came in and were shocked to find me watching this show. Like my original opinion, they didn’t understand how and why Kody could justify his lifestyle, and why anyone would want to watch it. In the matter of a few hours I’d jumped from judgment of this family to defending them… I could barely believe the words as they came out of my mouth.
Then, I looked back and couldn’t believe that I had been so judgmental. I consider myself a very open-minded and accepting person, but in this instance my prejudices were pointed out to me because of this reality TV show. People always say the benefit of traveling is getting to experience different cultures and lifestyles firsthand… I know it sounds kind of crazy, but I think television can do that too. Other shows of this style have covered conjoined twins, little people, people who are Armish, Muslim, Baptist, people who suffer from addictions, people who live in big cities with lavish lifestyles, and those who live in rural areas much more modestly.
Humans are curious beings, but asking prying questions and watching people who are different to us are obviously socially unacceptable behaviors. Television provides this safe space, for the viewers to be nosey, and curious in an environment where they aren’t going to offend the subjects of their curiosity since these people have already agreed to it.
At first it can feel a bit creepy, almost like we are treating the subjects of these shows as if they are animals caged in a zoo and the viewers are gleefully watching.
But as long as the subjects are consenting, and being portrayed in an honest way they approve of, I’m all in favor of more documentary style shows like this. I am especially in favor of this if the result is a greater understanding, knowledge, and acceptance of all the different cultures in our world.
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