Why Reality TV is Bad for Us

      
       While some reality TV may be helpful for us, the majority of it is harmful. These reality shows are harmful because they are mostly scripted and gives people a false idea of life, have no educational value, and exploit people.
       One of the bad things about reality TV is that it is mostly scripted and gives people a false idea of life. Almost all the arguing is scripted, and acted out for the entertainment of the audience. For example, after Kim Kardashian was quote "In Dubai", she was photographed days later exiting the studio looking exactly the same as she looked in the episode! Her now ex-husband (who was only married to her for 72 days, many people suspect it was a publicity stunt) tweeted soon after "“I can’t wait for the truth to come out! People will be surprised or maybe they won’t. #FCC.” Oftentimes in reality TV shows the producers edit down the multiple takes they film and only show what they think will be interesting to the people watching the show. Even in challenge shows such as "Biggest Loser", the film is all edited down to show only what they want to show.
       Another bad trait of reality TV shows is that they have no educational value. Old TV shows such as Thomas the Tank Engine taught lessons such as the importance of sharing. Reality TV such as the "Real Housewives" series are half an hour of the ladies talking or arguing and causing drama and have no educational value. They don't even learn lessons about respect in the end. The only lessons that can possibly be learned is how to lose your friends.

       A third bad trait of reality TV is that it exploits people. Reality TV often exploits young people, and certain cultural aspects. Many people watch shows such as "Finding Bigfoot" or "Ghost Hunters" just to make fun of the people's honest opinions. In shows such as "Real Housewives", the ladies rarely do much other than get drunk and argue, destroying friendships for the pleasure and entertainment of the viewer.
       One could argue that reality shows are good because they give you a look into the "real" lives of famous people. People like rappers, professional athletes, rich business people. But these are not their real lives. The drama and issues they face are often times scripted or not real. Why else would they have so many issues so often? People may also say reality shows can give you a look at the "real lives" of pregnant teens or people with eight kids. It isn't "real life" though. Even when there is a small issue, it is played up enough to make it enough of a problem to be an hour long TV show. While these shows may show some aspects of real life, they don't give a true look at the honest real lives of people.
       Not all reality TV is terrible and harmful though. Shows such as Duck Dynasty can teach important values such as the importance of God and family. That doesn't mean they aren't scripted though. The cast even admits things such as that they grew their beards for the show. The shows can still be entertaining to watch though. Unfortunately, even with entertaining shows like Duck Dynasty, the majority of reality TV is harmful, useless, and should not even be on TV. This kind of TV can only harm us and negatively affect the younger generation.