Reality TV & Gossip TV

[tantalizingfemme]

Originally Posted by Miss_Tia

television is a main tool of socialization, and it does pass along a culture's beliefs and values, and therefor can and does create new ones. Dont think so? Think of Jennifer Aniston's haircuts. On a deeper level, Ellen D's bookstore sitcom changed our culture forever. Why do you think there were/are so many groups opposed to allowing homosexuality on tv? Because once its on there as an approved and accepted lifestyle, its only a matter of time before it becomes an entrenched cultural value.

Television has had a hand in influencing our society from it's inception. What is different now? I wonder how many women were influenced by June Cleaver? How many people thought blending two families may be as uncomplicated as the Brady Bunch? Talk about debasing.... my mother thought I Love Lucy was the worst show ever because of the way Lucy acted to get what she wanted.... she thought it was insulting to women. We weren't allowed to watch it. (We would sneak it because we loved it) Yet, look at how beloved that show is and Lucy is.

I was influenced by a lot of television shows from the 70s and 80s.

And games shows of the past.... The gong show, the Dating Game, Hollywood Squares....Embarrassing? Debasing? Influential? All reality Shows in a sense. People getting on television for their 15 minutes of fame and saying and doing whatever would keep them there. (I loved Hollywood Squares because of the racy chatter of the "squares".)

And talk about racy, what about the Newlywed Game? Yowza