Charger Opinion

Reality Television- it is all real to me

Josh Mattingly, Charger Staff

After a hard day of school and work, I come home, kick off my shoes, and relax in my favorite arm chair. I then click on the TV only to find 50 midgets trying desperately to pull an aircraft farther than an elephant.

On another night I find twenty beautiful blondes fighting over a poor construction worker whom they think is a multimillionaire.
When I’m not watching FOX, I catch The Mole, Survivor, or The Bachelorette suddenly rushing through my brain. “Congratulations!” I think to myself, “I’m a reality TV junkie!”

Reality television, or tasteless garbage as it has come to be known, has fallen under intense criticism in recent times as more and more people have begun to question whether or not network executives have crossed the line between quality entertainment and tasteless TV. To these people I say “Lighten up!”

Sure reality television is a bit bold, but obviously the majority of America (myself included) can’t get enough of this real-live TV drama.
For example, an estimated 25 million people tuned in to watch the 1st episode of Joe Millionaire, thus confirming America’s devotion to sick and twisted television.

However, the question still remains-- have the networks gone too far? Is there something wrong with wanting to watch an angry Englishman crush a young girl’s hopes of becoming the next American idol? I think not!

There are certain facts that I as a responsible viewer am quick to point out. Sure Simon is harsh with the contestants, but let’s face it, he’s right!

If the girl can’t sing, then the girl can’t sing, and which of us wouldn’t like to point that out to her in a Simon-like fashion?

None of us believe that Joe Millionaire will leave us with a happy ending, but instead with an annulled marriage, or, more likely, no marriage at all.

As a reality TV junkie I am cautious not to get completely wrapped up in the mayhem, and I am quick to remember the true under belly of these programs.

After all, knowing that Joe Millionaire will end up with an incredibly disappointed girl is half the fun.

Obviously reality TV is an American television sensation despite the critic’s opposition.

They should remember that as long as true, red-blooded citizens like myself tune in each week to see a young girl’s dreams sink like a stone trout at the hands of Simon, like it or hate it, reality TV is here to stay!

~Article prepared for web by Steven Linger and Joy Wheeler~