Nifty Nine: Group Leader: Heather Deyo

Editor & Designer: Ashley Dick

Writers: Heather Deyo, Justin D’Ambrosio, Megan Dove, Shelly Danko, Kelly Dietrich, Ashley Dick, Bryan Dobek, Brent Daggett, and Stephanie Doehr

By Heather Deyo

Can you believe that reality television has actually been around since 1948? Most of us may have thought that this idea of real television just came about in the last decade but actually it’s been around for quite some time. In 1948 Candid Camera was the first reality show to be broadcasted on television. Many considered this to be the “granddaddy” of the reality TV genre (History of reality TV). This show actually began in radio broadcasting. Allen Funt was the man in charge of this whole new production. He started by simply taping complaints of men in service and broadcasting them over the Armed Forces Radio. This is what later became known as the television show, Candid Camera. Candid Camera was known for “catching people in the act of being themselves” (History of Reality TV). Funt passed away in 1999 and his son, Peter has now taken over for him to continue these series.

So, now you might be asking yourself what show came twenty-five years after Candid Camera? The next broadcasted reality television show was An American Family. This show was written about a California family, the Louds. You would probably never believe it but this show captured it all! It showed many personal experiences in the loud family such as the parents divorce and lifestyle of their gay son, Lance. An American Family played an extremely vast role in exposing society to a more diverse and supposedly real representation of family life. This was just the beginning of unstable families shown on television. Later shows like The Simpson’s and Roseanne branched off from this family idea (The Original Reality).

As you can see reality goes back way into history so it’s really no new thang. We must give all the credit to the generations before us, although newer generations have come up with some pretty interesting reality television shows.

Why Do People Watch Reality Television?

Written by Justin D’Ambrosio

There has been a huge increase in “reality” based television over the last few years. From Survivor to Big Brother it seems that we are constantly being bombarded with a new type of reality television program. But why do people watch these shows? What makes these shows so interesting? One theory brought up in an article in Psychology Today by Steven Reiss Ph.D. and James Wiltz, a Ph.D. candidate at Ohio State University, is that, “reality television allows Americans to fantasize about gaining status through automatic fame” (Reiss and Wiltz, 2001). This is the American dream, acquiring fame with little to no work at all. And what better way to do it than on television?

But can reality television actually be called reality? Do people watch because reality television offers an alternative to boring and hackneyed type programs? The fact is that reality TV is just as boring and predictable as the so-called unreal programs. Reality TV can, for the most part, hardly be considered real. An article in Rolling Stone confirms this, stating that, “The premise is always the same: Put ordinary stiffs on television on TV and they’ll do anything, anything, to stay on TV. Didn’t we already learn that from Kirstie Alley?” (Rolling Stone, 2001). If this were in fact the case, then way would anyone watch what is described as something as horribly predictable as the above? How could such a style of programming be so popular?

Tom Shales, further questions this by stating:

“The poor shmoes they get as contestants on these dumb reality shows don’t just learn how to behave from watching TV, they learn how to behave from watching these dumb reality shows. There are already prescribed modes of behavior, and most contestants lemmingly abide by them. Result: hideously dull predictability, the antithesis of what the word ‘reality’ implicitly promise” (Shales, 2001).

These contestants aren’t real, the premise of being put on an island with a group of people whom are being voted off by the other contestants certainly isn’t real, so what is real? Why the high ratings?

Actually, reality television ratings have been falling and some stipulate, or rather hope that this means reality television is on its way out. Shales states this in his aritcle, O ‘Brother’, Why Art Thou, that “The so-so Neilson showing for Big Brother 2 combined with less-than-expected returns on the Survivor sequel give one hope that the trend is on its way out” (Shales, 2001).

Reality television, whether people like it or not, will still be around for a number of reasons. The most logical reason of it is cost. It cost much less to produce a reality based type television show than a sitcom. Gloria Goodale illustrates this point by saying, “according to the New York Times, a half hour episode of Spy TV costs NBC about $400,000 per episode, compared to the $5.3 million per episode for Friends” (Goodale, 2001).

So why do people watch reality TV? To be honest, I cannot figure out why anyone would want to watch reality television, and now, at the very least, I know I am not alone.

Every week many television viewers tune in to see the handful of shows deemed “reality television”. But what kind of reality is portrayed in shows such as Survivor, Fear Factor, The Bachelor, Real World, and so on? A comparison of these shows to my life, prove to me that these shows are not reality.

In Survivor, two groups of people are put on deserted areas of the world with film crews and tasks that they are required to complete. At the end of each show the least liked person is voted off. As pointed out by Karen Bergamo, a columnist for Seneca Falls, “In reality, you can’t vote the people who annoy you out of your life”. Not only that, who on a day to day basis, completes some of the wild tasks that the players of Survivor do in order to stay on the show another week.

Another reality television based show, Fear Factor, is anything but real. If it were not for the money I doubt people would be lined up to do stunts that can inflict pain, cause nausea, and are, as host Joe Rogan puts it, “extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by anyone, anywhere, anytime” (Owen, 2001).

The reality television show, The Bachelor, is another misconception of what is real. What is so real about one man taking out twenty-five different women at the same time and then picking a certain number of women, (the number of women being chosen by the producers of the show), that the man thinks he may be compatible with?

In my lifetime, as short as it has been so far, I have found boyfriends the traditional way: accidentally meeting, becoming friends, and then dating only one, not twenty-five. I think a show like this can give people, especially younger people, the wrong idea when it comes to finding a lifelong partner. Once again, a misconception of what is real.

Lastly, the MTV reality based television show, Real World, also has a few problems with reality. According to MTV, Real World is about “seven strangers are picked to live in a house and see what happens when people stop being nice and start being real” (Bergamo, 2000). That aspect of the show is real but there is a misconception to all of this. How often do seven strangers move into a house together? How often do they move into a house where they do not pay rent, and furniture, appliances, and nick-knacks are all provided for (Bergamo, 2000).

All of these shows, along with many others, are considered reality because there are no line-by-line scripts and these are “everyday people” as pointed out by Brian, 16, of Oregon, Ohio. But the fact is the concepts introduced in these shows are not based off of reality, or things that people do in their daily lives. As Sara, 18, of Findlay, Ohio states “You don’t have video cameras on you everyday. When people do, they have a tendency to act differently. Reality television is a lot like soap operas; it seems like everyone just sits around and fights”. For those that still believe that Reality television is actually real, compare some of them to the sitcoms and dramas that are scripted on television. Are they really all that different?

Written by: Richelle Danko

Reality based television programs have attracted a great deal of attention in the past couple of years. Because of the ability people have to relate to reality TV it is no wonder that over the years reality TV has increased popularity. Reality television brings upon a positive outlook and helps people identify with real life.

Growing up one may watch many hours of television. Lebelle (2002) stated, “surveys indicate that by the time children graduate from high school, they will have spent more hours in TV viewing than in school.” Soon, coming into the real world it is essential for young adults to know what they may have to deal with. “Reality TV comes with a unique promise of contact with reality, but at the same time it promises a secure distance” (Friedman, 2002). Reality television allows viewers to relate and not feel so depressed by the perfect image portrayed on other televisions programs. While many television programs help people relate to real life, there are some programs that inform viewers on very important issues. One example of reality TV is informative shows on abusive relationships and/or eating disorders.

While watching one of these programs one may receive helpful information on a subject area he/she is not informed about. An eating disorder is very harmful, and if detected soon enough the disease can be treated. Focus Adolescent Services stated, “People who suffer from eating disorders can experience a wide range of physical health complications, including serious heath conditions and kidney failure which may lead to death. Recognition of eating disorders as real and treatable diseases, therefore, is critically important.” While viewing one of these informative shows one may recognize signs of a friend or family member and may be able to treat the problem before it gets too serious.

Serious enough, reality television has a positive effect on society. Reality television has become increasingly popular over the years, and it is easy to understand why. Reality TV allows viewers to relate to certain situation and possibly gain knowledge of areas one may be uninformed.

Written by: Kelly Dietrich

Reality television in today’s society may have positive effects. However, it has more negative images than it does positive. First of all, what is shown on reality TV isn’t really reality. For example, on the show Survivor, a person does not really have to live in the jungle and have to “survive” the way that the show is portrayed. Second, reality TV has such a bad influence on children. What children see on television has a major effect on their lives. Kids see things and they want to do what they see. For example, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) should not be shown on television because children now a days are imitating certain moves such as “the clothesline” and deaths have occurred while performing this stunt. Third, when people watch reality shows such as The Bachelor, they might get wrong ideas. For example, when watching The Bachelor, people might get the wrong idea about how to pursue a date/love. Reality shows like that are not the correct ways to find true love. Lastly, in relation to having a bad influence on children, reality TV such as Fear Factor also has negative effects. For example, when contestants on this show perform certain stunts or dares, people at home might try to recreate what they see on television because they think its reality. In what one possible way can reality television benefit citizens of America today?

I just don’t know what it is about this series, but I for one love survivor! Maybe I’m just a sap for the tropical island scene, or seeing a somewhat of a real life Gilligan’s Island. What’s the point to this show? Sixteen individuals are dropped off in a secluded tropical place, excluding the Africa episodes, and separated into two tribes. Each tribe is forced to find food and build shelter, and get along with each other. Every three days, there is a challenge between the two tribes for a reward, often time’s food or equipment. Also every 3 days, not on the days when the tribes compete for the rewards, they battle in the immunity challenge. Here the reward, immunity, keeps the tribe from having to go to tribal council. At tribal council, the tribe casts votes on who they want to leave and not be able to win the million dollar prize for the sole survivor. Halfway into the season, what’s left of the two tribes merge together and form one tribe where the game takes on a whole new meaning: everyone for themselves. How is this reality television when nobody these days gets stranded for days in an attempt to win a million dollars? By asking this question, you are looking at it the wrong way. It isn’t just a battle for a million dollars; it’s a battle against the elements. It is a personal battle to keep going when you haven’t eaten for days. It’s a battle to live with and gain respect for and from new people from all over the country. Susan Hawk, a contestant on the first Survivor said, "Going in I thought this was going to be tough, but the hardest part, though, is the people. You gotta make them like you or they'll vote you off" (CBS). So in all actuality being stranded in a place such as Australia, or Africa, isn’t reality, but to see the reality and survive Survivor, you must read between the lines.

By Brian Dobek

Most young Americans watch the MTV series The Real World. The show is about seven strangers that are picked randomly to live in a house with cameras on them at all times. But is it really on them at all times? It is supposed to show their real life situations and how they are dealing with them. Granted it does show real life situations, but does it just show all the problems of the house or does it show the fun times the people are spending together. I think they are forgetting to show us the good times people can have instead of all the fights and problems that the cast members are having.

Not many people know this, but the show cuts out a lot of scenes and what they call wasted taping. But is it really wasted taping? Or is it how The Real World really is? I think that we should be able to see all the scenes and see what really goes on in the house. If there really are problems or are they just made up? And how much stuff is really shown to us viewers. Don’t you think that we are cheated as viewers watching this so called reality TV show?

Well I do! Everyone thinks that this is how the real world actually is, but it is not! They make us believe that our lives are just going to be filled with problems. Granted there are going to be problems in our lives, but not all the time like the TV show The Real World shows us.

Think about it, if you were to put seven strangers, whom happen to be in their twenties, that all want to be rock stars or models, that definitely clash personality wise, of course there will be problems. There will especially be problems if you have a homosexual and an egotistical male who dislikes homosexuality all under the same roof. And let’s not forget about that multimillion dollar mansion they all live in that is located on the beach in Hawaii or in a great city like Chicago, does this seem realistic? I really don’t think so! In fact, the quote of the show says that when these people get together they, “stop being polite and start being REAL.” Not let’s be honest with ourselves. Do you really think they are being real? I don’t think they are being REAL at all. In fact, they are being unreal! So this reality TV show, The Real World, is not really reality, it is fake!

Bad boys, bad boys

Watcha gonna do, watcha gonna do

when they, come for you

Bad boys, bad boys

Whatcha gonna do, watcha gonna do

when they, come for you (Real Lyrics).

There’s nowhere to run and nowhere to hide when law enforcement is not on your side. The television shows, America’s Most Wanted and Cops create a sense of fear amongst perpetrators fleeing the scene of crime and due to these award winning programs that investigate unlawfulness, criminals have been put behind bars where they belong. In order to find out how these programs serve justice, one must know when and why these shows came into existence, what material do these reality shows contain, and how effective these programs send their message across the nation.

Before hosting the show Americas Most Wanted, John Walsh was a partner in a hotel management company in Hollywood, Florida during 1981. John was married to his wife Reve and had a six year-old son named Adam. The unimaginable occurred to the family when their son Adam was abducted on July 27, 1981, and then later found murdered. This incident caused John to not only search for his son’s killer across the nation, but to testify in front of Congress. His pleas to Congress led to the passage of the Missing Children’s Assistance Act of 1982, then later to the Federal Missing Children’s Assistance Act of 1984. The latter bill founded the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This center maintains a toll-free hotline number to report a missing child or the sighting of one. The main suspect in the murder case of Adam Walsh, Ottis Toole, was never officially charged with murder, but died in prison serving a life sentence on an unrelated charge (America Fights Back).

After all this occurred, the show America’s Most Wanted was created in 1988. The format of each episode counts down the most wanted fugitives that plague our society with immoral acts. During each hour-long program, John Walsh shows the audience the violent acts that have been committed by these wanted persons by reenacting them, most times using the actual responding and investigating police officers that were at the original crime scene. Most of the shows center upon violent crimes such as aggravated robbery, felonious assault, and murder, along with child abuse and kidnapping. Recently the United States Government asked for Mr. Walsh’s help on locating suspected terrorists living in the United States. At each show’s conclusion, the names, descriptions, and last known location of each wanted perpetrator discussed in that night’s segment are exposed to the public. A hotline is available (1-800-Crime-TV) if anyone has information on any of the suspect’s whereabouts (U.S. reality program/Public Services). Due to this program, over 700 persons have been apprehended and are now serving jail sentences.

Besides having a highly acclaimed reality television show, Mr. Walsh has received awards and been nationally recognized by presidents. In 1984, he received the Father of the Year Award form the National Father’s Day Committee. In 1988, Walsh was named the U.S. Marshals Man of the Year and two years later, Walsh received the same award from the FBI- the bureau’s highest civilian award. He is also the only private citizen to be given a Special Recognition Award by a U.S. Attorney General and was honored in the Rose Garden a total of four times by Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Reagan (twice). Also, the USA Today, People and Los Angeles Times magazines voted John Walsh one of the 50 most Beautiful People in 1996 (America Fights Back).

America’s Most Wanted is not the only reality based television program that punishes criminals. Cops first appeared on the FOX Network 14 years ago and during this time, they have been nominated for four Emmy awards (Cops). Each episode consists of law enforcement officials searching their town for injustice and takes the audience on the ride from inside a police car, recording the day to day activities of street officers throughout the country. Episodes have shown high-speed vehicle chases as well as many foot pursuits. Fights, domestic violence, robberies, gang and drug activities, prostitution, shootings, and a host of others that are recorded then viewed by millions all over the country. The difference in this show is that the crimes shown are all live, and not reenactments.

Some viewers may think that this “live” show might be a little too real and gruesome for some people to watch. If the viewers allow themselves to absorb the whole content show, he/she will realize that there is more to see than just car chases, blood, and violence. Viewers will hear stories from victims explaining what kind of life they are forced to live, excuses from suspects as to why they did or didn’t do what they have been accused of doing, and police officers explanations, decisions, and actions regarding the trouble caused between the victims and suspects. Being the son of a twenty-one year veteran of a Toledo Police Officer, I have heard some of the day to day activities that a police officer has to deal with. After talking to my father regarding the show Cops, except for some minor differences in departmental rules and laws, not showing the required daily paperwork, or the discontent with some of the higher officials that run the police department and the city, this show very accurately depicts the typical day that a law enforcement officer has to endure.

The success that America’s Most Wanted and Cops have achieved not only through television ratings, but in the apprehension of hundreds of wanted persons, makes the law-abiding citizen feel secure in knowing that justice can be served.

By Stephanie Doehr

Where does it all begin? This is a question that enters the mind of those who watch “Fear Factor”, one of America’s newest reality TV shows. The process leading up to the show is long in drawn out, ending with one brave soul to leave with fifty thousand dollars.

The procedure of choosing cast members is perhaps the most difficult. Nearly 30,000 applications are received which have to be narrowed down to six people. Casting directors travel all over the United States to major cities. Approximately 80 people are brought out of each city, with each person having notes of them written on a card with their picture. From there, interviews and more evaluations are happening. When the selection has been narrowed down even farther, players must sign 30-page contracts, go through 2 weeks of extensive background checks and psychological exams.

While the selection process is taking place, both physical and gross stunts are being decided upon. All events go through extensive safety tests to ensure that none of the players will be in any real danger. The “Fear Factor Chef” tests items such as eyeballs and hogs penises.

As the selection process for cast members and stunts comes to and end, the show is ready to begin. Each day is a disgusting, nauseating, revolting surprise for viewers of the NBC show as well as players.

 
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