Viewers Contribute to Toxic Reality TV

(From an editorial)

Last week I ranted about the media’s perpetuation of greed and growing obsession with fame; now let’s turn a discerning eye on the audience. A respondent to last week’s column got me thinking with a suggestion that the mean-spirited nature of most reality television serves as an even more powerful indicator of cultural regression.

It almost seems as if mean-spiritedness has become a new national pastime—with reality television trafficking in humiliation. The primary aim of countless television shows appears to be setting up participants for ridicule and degradation for the enjoyment of the viewing audience.

“Participants of some shows are clearly encouraged to bad-mouth their adversaries in the most personal terms, usually making themselves look like boorish, bitchy, self-absorbed asses in the process,” wrote the respondent.

Examples of such shows include “I Love New York,” “Elimidate,” “Next,” “Rock of Love,” TV court shows and talk shows… the list is endless. Admittedly none of these shows pretend to be highbrow entertainment, but what does it say about the viewing public that they are so popular?

Their only appeal seems to be watching people humiliate themselves, and others, on national TV. These shows also often reinforce racial and gender stereotypes (see “Flavor of Love”), whether through the participants’ own antics, editing and/or the manipulation tactics of producers.

Most of these shows lack any shred of redeeming value, existing simply to exploit contestants. VH1’s “Charm School,” for example, was portrayed as a way to teach the women manners and self-respect. Translation: VH1 wanted to exploit the women one last time for ratings. Granted the women willingly participate, but again, why does demand for such a show even exist? And why are they willing to humiliate themselves on national TV? The fame-obsessed culture of today is certainly a factor.

The malicious and mean-spirited nature of other shows is veiled, rendering it far more shameful when masquerading as family entertainment. The auditions for “American Idol,” anyone?

Again, many of the individuals who show up to audition clearly just want to be on television. Equally clear is the questionable sanity of other contestants, earnestly auditioning for the show. Exploiting a vulnerable group in society—along with the judge’s callous insults—on national television, and the audience’s collective pointing and laughing is appalling. On the surface it seems like harmless entertainment, but think about it: If it was a mentally ill family member, would it be as funny?

The viewing public devours these spectacles, which exposes an apparent penchant for ridicule and humiliation. It leaves one wondering how anyone with any shred of empathy or basic civility left in them shouldn’t find these displays way too unbearable and ugly to watch, let alone enjoy.

Even more sickening is the parade of media outlets and news programs willing to wring out these contestants’ last drop of dignity, bringing the contestants on their shows to ask questions about just how it felt to be called odd-looking and a “bush baby” on national television. How is this newsworthy? It’s not, but it’s good for ratings.

The media get in on the mean-spirited antics in other ways as well. When the ever-annoying Donald Trump and equally annoying Rosie O’Donnell had their “celebrity feud,” Trump was on countless news programs calling O’Donnell “fat,” “ugly” and other sexist and homophobic insults.

It is irresponsible and unprofessional that respected news programs would bring on this egomaniacal windbag simply to let him hurl sexist insults for 15 minutes for the sake of ratings, usually not bothering to challenge his tactics or assumptions. Balanced news coverage it was not. Actually, news it was not.

All the catfights, stereotype perpetuation, maliciousness and cringe-inducing antics of most reality television make one nostalgic for the cheesy family entertainment of yore. Where’s Danny Tanner when you need him? (Cue lesson-learning background music.)

I am not claiming non-guilt of ever watching any of these shows, but I often end up wondering why the public enjoys such malicious programming. Its sad humiliation and ridicule is so palatable and tolerable now as consumption in mass media.

Nor is it my intent to judge viewers. My intention is simply to ask why it is that mean-spirited, train-wreck TV shows are becoming a norm on television. As O’Donnell said in reference to the ridiculing tactics of “American Idol”: “If you keep serving people crap and telling them its a meal, eventually they’re going to think it’s a meal.”

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