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Reality TV, is it real? Not really. Reality TV got its start with the avant-gard MTV show The Real World. The Real World orginially started as a social experiment bringing seven young people from very different socio-economic demographics to live under one roof and film them as they interacted with one another. The provocative nature of the show quickly caught the audiances attention. Though The Real World first aired in 1992 it was several years later before reality TV caught on in the television industry.

Reality TV brings to mind the age old question 'Does art imitate life or does life imitate art?'

What one must realize is that these programs, while not scripted are definitely manipulated by the producers. Even The Real World has evolved in to a predictible docu-drama where each cast member fits a character role the producers want to fill. Where original cast members reflected every day young people from around the United States, todays cast is decidely beautiful and human knock offs of hollywood stars.

Since 1903 the world has had a love affair with Hollywood and every person has fantasized at least once about being a celebrity. Over the years this hunger for the glamorous life has developed into an insatiable quest for fame. With more and more industry stars opting to protect their private lives, every day Janes and Joes are all too willing to play out their best or worst qualities in front of a camera for their own fifteen minutes of fame.

All of these shows are creatively edited to highlight character flaws and strengths to further support the story line the production staff has developed. If you happen to watch several of these shows you will notice similar themes and segment profiles thread through most of them. It is junk television at its best and whether it be a competition program, dating show or social experiment, the train wreck that happens is hard to ignore.

It is true that there are demographics that still have not interacted with one another, hold certain prejudices and fit in with some stereotypes. It is also true that the moral fiber of America has degraded in such a way that ones body is no longer widely viewed as sacred, and sex is no longer special. There are in fact many devious and conniving people willing to step on and over anyone in their way to get what they want. All of which are highlighted in these shows.

However,todays viewers are certainly too sophisticated to believe that its all real. Unfortunately many viewers are not smart enough not imitate it. So while reality tv is not truly reflective of real life, real people do try to live reality TV.

Learn more about this author, Mel Murphy.
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