Reality TV & Gossip TV

[princessbelle]

Originally Posted by nycfembbw

There's a lot of good and bad and complex outcomes that arise from reality t.v. imo. And I think it also depends on what we label reality t.v.

Some good:

Shows like "Intervention, "Obsessed," and "Addiction," sometimes touch me in how they have the potential to turn a life around for the good. It's sad that it takes a show to get someone the help they need, whether it be drug addiction or OCD, but to change one person and their family's life in such a profoundly positive way is a good thing no matter what IMO.

Sometimes reality shows bring different identities out of the closet so there can be a sense of relating especially for young people. In the MTV true life series they've covered kids who are gay, Deaf, stutter, have seizures, and a whole host of differences in a positive way.

Some bad:

It's been hard for Cindy and me raising Jacob and him seeing this plethora of MTV reality shows that center on filthy rich kids. It makes him demanding and expecting of things we can't provide. That may sound simplistic but it's how I experience it.

I know there was a mentally ill (maybe Bipolar?) young woman on AI who committed suicide after being put down after her singing.

There was a straight guy who went on the Jenny Jones show because he was told someone had a crush on him and wanted to reveal it on air. It ended up being a man who had a crush on him. The straight guy happened to be someone with a psychiatric history felt humiliated and killed himself. Then Jenny Jones was sued.

Some more complicated:

I read the memoir of the Beverly Hills housewife who said that she chose to be on the Real Housewives series because she was in the midst of a marriage with kids where she was victim of extreme domestic violence, and she figured she'd be safer with the t.v. crew around and everything public. Then during the series it did come out, along with all the shady things her husband was into (scams, etc.), and he ended up committing suicide. When someone's dirty laundry is public for the whole world to see I do think that's a big trigger for suicide.

OMG i remember that about the Jenny Jones show!!! Had forgot about that. Yes there are times that Reality TV isn't great. But, such is life. Every aspect of our lives has good things and bad things. You take the bad with the good, isn't that the saying?

People do need to be responsible and they do need to be careful when they are dealing with real lives. Just as in our everyday lives and sadly some of that is also for entertainment, but just for themselves and not for the world to see.

I will continue to be selective, no i don't watch Honey Boo-Boo, saw it once that was enough, but if someone likes it...good for them.

I also agree with tantalizingfemme who alluded to the lack of intelligence in that show and other shows about kids, should actually be directed to the parent that allowed it. Not on the people who watch it, necessarily and i totally agree. People will watch anything. Have you seen some of the youtube video's out there?

Selection and moderation....good rules for all parts of life.

I'm glad i'm not alone as someone that loves reality TV.

Anyway, good dialog and now i'm off to watch Sister Wives soon!!!!