“It matters how mature and wise a person is,” said Brice Lunt, a sophomore English major. “I don’t take any of those shows seriously. I don’t think of it as real TV, I think of it as junk television.”
Fox’s top-rated show, “American Idol” shown on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. and Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m., is currently in its second season. It includes celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. The purpose of the show is to audition, critique and na
rrow
down singers from all over America until they find the one who will continue
as a singing superstar.Students like Amanda Flores, a sophomore Music major, look at “American Idol” as an inspirational show.
“Watching ‘American Idol’ inspires me to keep up with my singing career because they are giving unknown singers the opportunity to show what they’ve got on national TV.”
MTV’s top-rated show “The Osbournes”, shown on Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m., is currently in its second year. It stars Sharon, Jack, Kelly and Ozzy Osbourne. The show gives a glimpse into the life of an aging rock icon and his family as they navigate the everyday roadblocks that appear in the lives of the rich and famous.
“It g
oes
to show that every family, rich or poor, has problems,” said Mike Valdez,
a freshman Biology major. “Even as funny and weird as the episodes get,
it has some great moments.”One of thelongest top-rated reality shows is “Survivor”, which features men and women who want to challenge their strength on a deserted island. Its many seasons take place in distinct areas of the world with different groups of people.
Brittany Gartner, a freshman Biology major, said, “I like the way ‘Survivor’ shows women doing just the same as the men. It goes to show that it’s not about the gender of a person. It’s all about survival and team effort.”
For hands-on house improvements, the top-rated show “Trading Spaces” is popular. The show documents neighbors switching homes to remodel a single room in each other’s homes with $1,000 and just two days.
“That show cracks me up, but at the same time it gives me great tips for remodeling my home,” said Casey Morgan, a freshman Education major. “Some people don’t like reality shows. I don’t see anything wrong with them. I learn and get entertained at the same time.”
Katie Kilicki disagrees. “I think it’s a waste of time. Having a stressed life, the last thing I want to do is turn on my TV and see someone else being stressed. I just want to be able to relax.”
Others, like Laura Hernandez, a sophomore Psychology major, hope that reality TV programs are just a trend that will soon be gone.
But reality TV has boomed quite a bit these past few years, and there is a history of reality shows that have been around for some time. “Cops”, which tapes policeman in the line of duty, MTV’s “The Real World”, which features a group of strangers living together and talent shows like “Star Search”, have been airing for over a decade.
Nobody knows how long the reality TV fad will be around for or what impact it will eventually have in America; only time will tell. But for now reality TV is making celebrities out of ordinary people and captivating America in the process.