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We’ve all seen reality shows and some of us watch them religiously. So, what is it about reality television that is so addictive?
One of the most popular and successful reality shows is “Survivor”. The contestants are on a desert island and must survive the primitive conditions of the island. “Survivor” tests each contestant’s endurance through a series of physical challenges. Two teams compete in these challenges and the losing team must vote off one of its members in each episode. Of course, the politics and dynamics of the group carry substantial weight on the group’s decision, which sometimes makes it unfair. The reason this show is addictive is because viewers enjoy watching the unpleasant challenges the “survivors” are faced with. For example, in one food eating challenge, viewers watch in horror as castaways are forced to eat worms.
Another reality show where contestants have to prove their survival skills is “The Apprentice”. In “The Apprentice”, contestants have to survive in the ruthless world of business. In the original “Apprentice”, an American, business tycoon, Donald Trump, is the host. Every week, Trump creates business-oriented tasks in which contestants have to show their imagination and business skills. In one episode, candidates had to work in teams and develop a brand-new toy for the toy manufacturer Mattel (the manufacturers of Barbie). In these tasks, all members of the team must also show good leadership and project management skills. Of course, by the end of each episode, one contender must leave. The tense build-up to Trumps’s catchphrase “You’re fired!” keeps viewers on the edges of their seats. The lucky winner walks away with a 6-figure salary, and a job working for a world famous businessperson.
Another popular reality show, which involves the music industry, is “Pop Idol”. This time, contestants are competing for pop star status and their own record label. Each week, the wannabe pop stars take the stage, hoping to impress the judges and public with a star performance. The structure of the show is similar to other reality shows in that there is a candidate voted off by the judges and the public at the end of every episode. Each week, loyal viewers watch and hope that their favourite contender will triumph. Audience participation makes this popular, as viewers across the nation text in and vote for their favourite “pop idol”. More people vote for these shows than they do for presidential elections.
Each of these reality shows is popular with the public for different reasons. The fact that there are such high television ratings show how much we love to watch live drama. We enjoy knowing what’s happening behind closed doors. And reality TV shows help us turn the key.