by T. Lynn Wright

Created on: September 19, 2009

With the exception of a few shows that are genuine underdog success stories (weight loss) or philanthropic gestures (building a better house for someone who needs it) reality television reveals the ills that plague our society. Most of these shows, which are hardly realistic, glamorize superficial qualities like greed, physical appearance, back-stabbing competition and irresponsible behavior. Realistically, most American women don't spend their days indulging in make-up artists, spa treatments and infidelity. Taking fertility drugs and expecting taxpayers to support your brood is not a choice that should be rewarded with celebrity. Yet, these are the shows that young people are tuning into. These are soap operas with a skanky talk show twist. America is riveted by the show about a married couple with eight children who fight in front of the kids and the cameras. When did this generation morph into tell-all, bare-all crybabies? There is a cruelty to this viewing of trashy behavior. It is a type of oneupmanship that has permeated American homes. It is a "Better her than me" spectator sport. Reality television is the advertisement that manners and courtesy have been given over to the hospice of culture. Look for them in dusty tomes and museums. Any semi-literate person can write poorly spelled protest signs, rant and comment on news stories, and compete for the next sordid reality train wreck. The reality television blight has drifted onto live television when the President speaks, and live award shows, which used to embody appreciation and graciousness.

There is a silent horde who believes that television can produce quality news, movies and entertainment. Entertainment in the form of well-written comedy, drama and documentary. There are those who would much rather learn about the planet, see a firsthand filming of the drama of war, or watch an Emmy-winning episode of a long-running series. The truth is, reality television has turned many viewers away from television as a medium. Reality TV is cheap, it's tawdry, and the shows are a dime a dozen. The generational divide is so evident when a group of Boomers have no idea who Jon and Kate are, and certainly don't care. Boomers remember Guiding Light, but also realized that it was fictional entertainment. The line between manners and good choices and reality television is constantly erased for younger generations. Television is not better. Those in charge of programming are in the business to make money. It requires artiistry and talent to produce quality telvision products. The space for artists is dwindling and is now occupied by some overpaid executive's idea of reality.

Learn more about this author, T. Lynn Wright.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.