NEWS: Surprise! Reality TV is Fake.

It's all about the money. So-called "reality TV" is much cheaper to produce than sitcoms, dramas, or news. Cheaper production cost + good ratings = bigger profits from advertising. And because "reality TV" generally makes the subjects look like jerks, it makes middle America feel better about itself through ridicule of others. Sort of like Star magazine's exposes on famous actresses' body fat.

Never forget that the TV shows are just what the networks put on between the commercials.

and most manage to remain staunchly non-union. grr.

Wasn't 'An American Family' (70s show) the first reality show? I just remember it as the one that Lance Loud was on before he moved to New York and joined (started?) the Mumps.

Damn you , you ruined my wrestling joke

I'm personally boycotting MTV until they put the M back in it.

If you've ever seen "Idiocracy" and taken a gander at what's on TV, in the media, driving down the road, and walking around town, you'd see that the movie was not without basis in reality. "Reality" television is just another distraction for America's sheep. Much like "Ow, My Balls!".

'Rage Against the Machine' (and a number of other bands) have spouted lyrics like "Take the Power Back", and "Wake Up" presumably referring to the government. I hear them and think of the media and entertainment industries.

We already have a word for real Reality Television: Documentary!

they shot at my yoga studio once..
it was stupid. everytime time someone called it reality tv, the producer would correct them and say "reality based".

All representational media are reductive. Sometimes the reduction enhances the ability to perceive otherwise obscured or perhaps often overlooked aspects, useful, insightful slivers of the fuller tapestry we call "reality."

In the hands of the mediocre and venial, the reduction accomplishes only that, reduction. The result is always banality.

But Undressed was still real? Right?

To everyone who hates "reality TV", you'll take away my Project Runway when you pry the remote from my cold, dead fingers.

"Seriously, folks. This shit is so hyper-meta-fake that it makes me question the concept of reality itself. Is anything real? Am I secretly a robot? What if it's all a dream, man?"

LOL... I love it!

Reality TV is scripted because real life kind of sucks. And watching it on tv?

Who the fuck would want to watch "Extreme Lawnmowing?"

These events are scripted because they add a little bit of humor and spontaneity to normally mundane lives. Why do I say mundane? Because millions of people wouldn't watch a show like this if their own life was accurately reflected in it. These shows are conditioned for optimal viewing potential. They just happen to have dumbshit actresses that need five takes to fucking order from a menu.

You know what I want to see? Take 15-20 people, drop them on an island covered with hidden cameras, with no food and no water. Tell them to survive. Come back in a month or two, if anyone's still alive, put them in a cage and throw a pizza in it and have them fight over it.
Now that's fucking "Survivor" damn it!

damn, thats fake? i base my whole life on that show. guess now i should just jump off a bridge.......