How Real is Reality TV? by Laryssa Grinenko (Dec. ’01)
“Tuesday night! The Real World is on! Turn it on!” This is the thought that runs through the minds of millions of teens and young adults every week when their favorite reality-based television show comes on the air. But whether you’re watching Fear Factor or Big Brother, you have to stop and wonder…how real are the lives of these people that we’re watching? Ever since the conception of reality TV, people have been obsessed with finding out what drama would ensue this week on The Real World or who would be the next contestant voted off Survivor. As an Orthodox Christian trying to live a Godly life in a world that is often difficult to live in, should we be looking to these reality-based television shows to see what reality really is?
The Real World is a show on MTV portraying the lives of seven people who are chosen to live in a house together for several months. It is also the show that started the reality TV revolution. During the time that cast members are in the house, all their needs are provided for and they live a life of luxury. The real life we see on the screen is a life of partying, drinking, and hooking-up. Homosexuality and promiscuity are looked upon as natural aspects of life, almost as virtues rather than the sins that they are. In fact, those cast members who were virgins were bombarded with jeers and cynical comments about their abstinence, and those who attended church were constantly questioned about their faith. Physical confrontation and hostility were always underlying elements that constantly erupted in the house among the roommates. They could not respect one another or act calmly when upset. If The Real World is undertaking an effort to convey the difficulty of leading a spiritual Christian life, then it in fact is an accurate depiction of real life. However, the more obvious message that is being communicated through this show is that sex, alcohol, and homosexuality are ok, even a good thing, and that violence and anger should be the medium of communication between people.
With the increasing demand and rise in popularity of reality television, it is inevitable that the producers will push the limits of the show and push the cast members to their own limits. When will these shows go too far? Every season on Survivor, we saw how far the contestants pushed themselves for the sake of the show. Not only were they all emaciated and practically starving by the time they left, their health and physical strength were compromised. A perfect example of the great lengths contestants will go to in order to win is exemplified in Michael from the Australian Outback. Despite his severe malnutrition and deprivation of energy, he constantly surveyed the camp for food, using up his limited energy. Finally his body gave out; Michael passed out, unfortunately right over the fire pit. His hands fused together in the heat and caused him severe pain. How much farther will the producers push the limits of the people? Is it not enough that someone was seriously injured from the harsh, unrealistic conditions? Is this really what life is like?
Temptation Island, however, takes the cake. I must admit, I was hooked. From the moment I was introduced to Mandy, Billy, Shannon, Andy, Valerie, Kaya, Ytahzee, and Taheed, I was obsessed with finding out who would stay together and who would end up breaking up. And is it just me, or was everyone on that show absolutely gorgeous? This was yet another reason to watch. Realistically, what kind of situation is this show presenting? It puts a monogamous couple in a position in which they are almost encouraged to cheat. Conversely, Orthodoxy promotes relationships that are long-lasting, monogamous, and faithful. When looking at Temptation Island from a religious standpoint, it is the epitome of adultery: lusting after someone other than the person you are with. Realizing that the actual content of the show was based on sin, I, myself, had to deal with my addiction and give up my ritualistic viewing of the show.
Even though I was an enormous fan of all three of these shows and rarely missed an episode, I had to remind myself that the life we see on these shows is not a Godpleasing life. What we are seeing on the screen is a life that society is telling us is fine. We see violence, sex, and homosexuality on The Real World portrayed as good things. Survivor portrays people pushing themselves so far to the point of physical harm, and possibly even death, and Temptation Island exemplifies the wrong type of relationship to have. But it has to be okay because this is what real life is, right? Wrong. Once we start to believe that these reality-based television shows are actual depictions of real life, we need to recollect ourselves and focus on what is real and true in life — God.
Reality TV is sweeping the world as the new big thing in television. From Road Rules to The Amazing Race, the media is exploding with real-life scenarios. We still have to be careful of the shows, making sure that by watching them we are not deceived into believing that we should imitate what we see. Our Orthodox convictions should not be jeopardized.