Reality Shows are the genre of television shows or programmes which feature common people and or celebrities or both, in real life or scripted situations/environment or a mix of both real and scripted incidents. Reality Shows are also referred to as ‘Reality Television’. Reality shows have become quite a rage of late; these were non-existent until the 1940’s. Reality shows in those times were quite authentic. This was because it was a new concept and as such manipulation was limited to only creating unordinary situations for ordinary citizens. However, the reality shows of today have blurred the reality. The irony of Reality Shows is that even though they are known as Reality-Based Shows, most of them are Unreal

• Facts of Reality Shows
  
  • History of Reality T.V.
  • Popularity Factors
  • Types of Reality Shows
  • Effects of Reality Shows

• Reality Television Pros and Cons
  
  • Reality Shows Advantages
  • Reality Shows Disadvantages

• Curbing or Limiting the Effects of Reality Shows

Real Life is nothing, what popular Reality Shows depict. The idea of placing people in situations, just to see how they react, became imaginable and almost ‘Passé’. Audiences have seen and known what will happen. As such, previous projections of human behaviour do not hold that much ground as compared to the ones that are being churned out with all the melodrama and unexpected spoofs or stunts. Real Life on day to day basis is not as much Dramatic and entertaining as is depicted in these shows. Life is very much real as we witness it, not what we are made to see. Reality shows edit and manipulate scenes which appear and imitate reality. The situations created or occurred are altered in order to make things interesting. To sustain the interest of the audience, producers of such shows resort to the depiction of emotions which incite humans. Thus, conflict, drama, sleaze and humour are added as per the TRP. These may not be scripted but depending upon the response of these audiences, these may be added as per the requirement. Such shows will create an exciting footage from various clips mixed with each other. Sometimes, the producers of the show will involve a celebrity to create hype for the show.

So, a question arises what, when, why, where and how of these shows. There are many reasons behind it. These have been analysed below.

Reality Shows - Facts

Facts of Reality television have been subdivided into its History, Popularity Factors and their Types.

History of Reality T.V.

It was during 1948, that Alan Funt, came up with the idea of the first Reality Show in the form of TV series ‘Candid Camera’. It was initially launched as Radio Show, titled – ‘Candid Microphone’ on 28th June 1947. Later, he shot a series of theatrical film shorts, also titled Candid Microphone. It was his next venture that materialised into the ‘First Reality Show’ which appeared on television (ABC channel) on August 10, 1948. The show featured ordinary people encountering unusual situations, who were being secretly taped with concealed cameras. Sometimes, these would involve trick props, such as a desk with drawers that pop open when closed or a car with a hidden extra gas tank. When the joke was revealed, victims would be told the show's catchphrase, ‘Smile, you're on Candid Camera.’ Peter Funt, his son became the producer and the host of the show from 1998 to 2004.

Soon others too conceived similar ideas with the different approach. Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour and Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts also appeared during 1948. These show started the much famed ‘Talent Shows’ or ‘Talent Search Shows’ which featured amateur competitors and introduced the concept of ‘Audience Voting’. In the 1950s, game shows – ‘Beat the Clock’ and ‘Truth or Consequences’ involved contestants in wacky competitions, stunts, and practical jokes. Then, appeared the ‘Game Show’, known as ‘You Bet’ on NBC-TV in October 1950, which was simultaneously broadcast on the radio and the television. In 1954, ‘Miss America Pageant’, a beauty contest appeared on T.V. whose winner achieved the status of a national celebrity. During 1950-1959, a new type of series ‘You Asked For It’ had some elements of an ‘Audience Participation’ in the sense that viewers were given a certain freedom to see what they wished to see on television. The show created and hosted by Art Baker, involved the ‘Real Re-enactment’ of William Tell shooting an apple off his son's head. Many other reality-based shows featured on T.V., like series Seven Up! in the UK. during 1964 (Granada Television).

However, the Shows with the flavour of Modern Reality Shows started to be produced during the 1970’s. PBS series ‘An American Family’ was more or less documentary in purpose and style. It featured the daily lives of the Loud family. The televised decision of the parents to divorce and the on-screen coming out of their gay son shocked audiences. This prompted the sociologist, Margaret Mead to suggest a different genre for this series as it didn’t fit the category of Documentary. This show gave birth to the ‘Reality-soap Genre’ in which compelling storylines through careful writing and editing shaped the real-life subjects into reality-show characters. In 1974, a counterpart program, The Family, was made in the UK, following the working class Wilkins family of Reading. Similar such productions were ‘Chuck Barris: The Dating Game’, ‘The Newlywed Game’, and ‘The Gong Show’. These participants shared some of their privacy and dignity in a televised competition.

Then, there were ‘Camcorder Taped’ reality shows which appeared in 1989. First of such a show was ‘COPS’ which showed police officers on duty apprehending criminals. The Rescue 911 was another such show which featured people in dire situations and their efforts. America’s Funniest Home Videos was also such a reality show in terms of recording equipment. It featured unique and funny incidents taped on the camcorder. Further themes of reality shows were conceived in the 1990’s. The concept of grouping strangers for a certain period of time in a certain environment and the drama that followed originated in the form of series ‘Nummer 28’. It aired on Dutch television in 1991. This show was backed by computer-based non-linear editing systems which enabled quick editing of hours of video footage into a usable form. The idea of ‘Competition and Elimination’ was introduced by TV producer Charlie Parsons. He created the TV show ‘Expedition Robinson’, which first aired in 1997 in Sweden. In the show, cast members/contestants battled against each other and were removed from the show until only one winner remained. These shows became popularly known as ‘Elimination Shows’.

The end of 90’ and the advent of 2000, saw an unprecedented popularity of the reality-based shows. These new generation of Reality shows were more blunt, witty, sensuous, sensational, glamorous and more. These were produced by specialists who created complex and unexpected shows which stirred the emotions of the masses. Their uniqueness and the ‘Awe’ factor made them a huge success. Survivor became such a show. It was originally named ‘Expedition Robinson’ and appeared first on the Swedish public service network SVT in 1997. Then, ‘Big Brother’ first televised in the Netherlands during 1999 on the Veronica TV channel became a worldwide sensation. It was picked up by Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Portugal, USA, UK, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy and Indonesia. It is a hit show in almost 70 countries; further licensing rights for same format program but with regional people. Example, ‘Big Boss’ in India. Another major hit is ‘American Idol’. It is based on the British show Pop Idol, which was in turn inspired by Popstars. The show debuted in 2001 in Britain and soon spread to other parts of the world, with its Indian Version, known as ‘Indian Idol’. Soon more shows followed with different concepts and ideas like the Amazing Race (2001), Fear Factor (June 11, 2001), America's Next Top Model (May 2003), The Apprentice (2004), Dancing With The Stars (2005) and others. These all became an instant hit all over the world and inspiring licensed version and unlicensed altered shows in dozens of countries. Furthermore, these shows inspired channels totally devoted to reality shows, like Zone Reality (UK) was launched in 2002 and Global Reality Channel (Canada) was launched in 2010. Several cable channels started featuring original reality programming as a mainstay. Thus, today various types of reality shows have got a permanent slot during their telecast. The reality series of modern times borrow a lot from their precedents and differ mostly in scope and locale.

Popularity Factors of Reality Shows

So what makes Reality Shows Tick? There are multiple factors attributing to the success of these shows.

• Human Curiosity: There is saying that says ‘Curiosity killed the cat’, here the ‘Curiosity lured the Public’. Though not as deadly as the original saying but alluring, that is to say, that the public is always willing to know the unknown or the mysteries. Of all the entertainment series we are aware of, we think that’s the end of it. However, the brainy producers are always up to new tricks, they introduce new formats, new faces and other unexplored or unimaginable acts. Anything new or different is obviously bound to be noticed, the same goes for reality shows. Such shows engross and tease the mind into watching them. This is one important ingredient of a reality show.
• Entertainment Value: Watching the mundane soap operas and movies cause the mind to get bored. It is here that reality shows score over other programs. They are filled with drama, shock value, original stunts, talent, celebrities, laughter, sleaze and violence. It fills the void of human mind bored with conventionally formatted programs. Some series featuring original acts are applauded because here someone with the best talent gets acknowledged, appreciated and paid. Here, they see what they haven’t realised or imagined, especially the ones which are dramatic. Even if the audience is aware of the manipulations, they don’t mind it as it adds spice and zing to their lives, which is otherwise dull and dreary. Also, they like to be acknowledged for their prediction of the outcome or can gossip about it with their friends and so on.
• Aggressive Marketing: One of the major factors of the popularity of reality television is aggressive marketing. This marketing is clearly visible in Television promos, large hoardings, the cover story in magazines and other media. It grabs the attention of even an uninterested person and that is what the advertisers want and that is what influences us into watching these programs.
• Belief in Reality Shows: Though the public is smart it can be fooled. Reality shows are an example of this occurrence. There are certain sections of viewers who still believe that what is being shown is ‘Reality’ as it matches the normal daily life routines. This notion becomes a permanent fact in their minds and they find it hard to dismiss it as fake. Then there are young minds which do not have the wider scope of thought as to ‘What is real?’ and ‘What is not?’. They perceive the fake acts as real and the shows become their favourite ones.
• Favourites and Non Favourites: Whilst watching certain such shows we tend to have our ‘Favourites’ and ‘Non-Favourites’. We like our favourite ones for a variety of reasons; some are cute, some appear honest, some form their own region or religion and some sympathise. On the opposite side, we hate certain participants for a variety of reasons; some are ugly, some appear fake, some don’t belong to their region or religion and some we simply love-hate. Our emotional attachment to these characters is the source of the popularity of these shows.
• Thirst for Power: The concept of voting for favourite ones is sort of quencher of thirst for power hungry people. They think that their vote is a contributing factor in the victory of their chosen one. It makes them feel important, related to whom they are voting and self-satisfaction of having some power or a certain portion of power.
• Pleasure in other’s Sufferings: There are some demented minds who like to see other people in pain and gore. It gives them a certain euphoria which they get addicted to. The causes can be many; some can relate to the pain which they have suffered or the pain which they want to deliver to their oppressors but haven’t been able to do so. It provides them with a certain outlet for emotions.
• Peer Influence: Some people just watch these shows just to stay in tune with the current flow of trend. They stay in touch with these shows so they have something to talk about whenever a conversation occurs or whenever they are socialising. It is embarrassing for certain people to be unaware of what’s hip and what’s not.

Types of Reality Shows

Reality shows cater to different age groups and tastes because of the wide range of themes available.

These shows can be classified into:

• Reality T.V. Talent Shows: A reality-based talent show is ‘Made for Television’ program which is televised live or deferred live featuring a number of participants who present their talent or talents in front of a panel of judges. These talents can be in the conventional forms like singing, dancing and or other unique forms of talents. Most of these shows have a format where certain performers are selected and judged. Based on the quality of their performance, these are either eliminated out of the competition by judges or by the public through voting. Each week or each episode one or more contestants are eliminated until a winner emerges. Reality-based talent shows are the most popular reality television shows. These are the most popular as these present a much authentic presentation as compared to others which can be easily pointed out as fake. Some of the most popular reality shows of this type are American Idol, America's Got Talent, Dancing with the Stars, Celebrity Duets etc. These may be licensed to other countries which work on the same format to produce a local show like ‘India’s Got Talent’ is the Indian version of AGT.
• Fly on the Wall Shows: – Fly on the Wall Shows are those shows which are styled in a documentary format but maybe scripted partially or wholly to create sensationalism; camera shooting and footage editing give the viewer the impression that they are passive observers following people going about their daily personal and professional activities. These are known as ‘Fly on the Wall Shows’ as events are seen candidly, as a fly on a wall might see them. These shows are also known as factual television shows as they do show some actual happenings.
  
  Some of these types of shows are:
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  • Environment Confined: These are live or deferred live televised shows, where a number of familiar or unfamiliar participants have to live along with each other and perform tasks in an artificial living environment surrounded by cameras at strategic spots. Every day they are given a task to perform and their behaviour is recorded. Every week or every episode voting is conducted wherein the members nominate each other depending upon their preferences or task performance. These nominated members are further put to vote by the public until a winner emerges. The winner is awarded a large sum of amount. Participants are often interviewed, often by an off-camera voice. The ancestor of these types of shows is MTV’s ‘The Real World’. The most popular amongst these shows is ‘Big Brother’ with different versions produced in many countries around the world. Some other shows in this category are ‘Road Rules’, ‘The 1900 House’, ‘Temptation Island’, ‘U8TV: The Lofters’ etc.
  • Celebrity Shows: Reality-based Celebrity Shows are the ones which show a daily routine of celebrities or show celebrities in a certain environment with other celebrities performing task or tasks. These show some scripted, unscripted, kinky or unknown aspect of celebrities. Some routine based shows are Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kathy Griffin: Life on the D List, The Anna Nicole Show, The Osbournes, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica and Hogan Knows Best etc. Some of the Environment Confined shows are Celebrity Big Brother, The Simple Life, Tommy Lee Goes to College, The Surreal Life, and I'm a Celebrity... Get Me out of Here!
  • Based on Professional Lives: - Professional Lives is the type of a reality-based show which shows professionals either going about day-to-day business or performing an entire project over the course of a series. These shows unseen footage of a professional on a day to day basis, thereby providing an insight into the life of professionals engaged in different occupations. The first of its kind series is COPS which premiered in 1989. Other examples of this type of reality show include the American shows Miami Ink, The First 48, Dog the Bounty Hunter, American Chopper, Deadliest Catch etc.
• Game Shows: Reality-based Game Shows are televised events which involve members of the public and or celebrities competing as a team or as a dividual against each other in a series competitive games which can physical challenging and or mentally challenging usually for money and/or a variety of prizes. The prize can be cash, a spouse, a date, a contract, trips, goods and services etc. Game shows are also referred to ‘Competition Shows’.
  Games Shows can be Categorised as:
  
  • Mentally Challenging Games: These are quiz or information based game shows where the host of the show or panel of judges asks the contestant general knowledge questions divided into various levels. The contestants have to answer these in a certain period of time and gather points and or cash for every correct answer. In the process, they may get evicted or gain certain advantages which are useful in the later stage of the game. Some of this type of games is Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, American Gladiators, Dog Eat Dog, Deal or No Deal, Weakest Link etc. These are usually shot in an enclosed environment or TV studio over a short period of time.
  • Physically Challenging Games: These are mostly stunt based or adventure based game shows which involve members of the public and or celebrities performing weird, dangerous or tricky physical tasks better and/or quicker than all the other contestants or simply completing the task given. The game is divided into several zones and stages with each round getting tougher and tougher. These usually take place outdoors with specially created structures and or equipment. Some of these are Minute to Win It, Who Dares Wins, Fear Factor, Total Wipeout, Takeshi's Castle etc.
  • Self-improvement / Makeover Shows: – Reality-based Self-improvement / Makeover Shows cover the attempts and success of a person or group of people (afflicted celebrities or common people) improving their lives with the help of an expert along with a celebrity as a host. The improvements in life can be related to problems like obesity, lack of fashion sense, bad behaviour, psychological issues etc. Thus we have Charm School and From G's to Gents focussing on self-improvement and manners, Biggest Loser and Fat March which focus on weight loss, How Do I Look? focusing on fashion makeover, ‘Queer Eye’ and ‘What Not to Wear’ which focus on style and grooming, ‘Made’ focusing on attaining difficult goals, ‘Supernanny’ focusing on child-rearing and so on. At the end of a season, contestants’ efforts are applauded publically or within the ‘Peer Circle’ and awarded as per the show’s policy. Such shows maybe real or a mixture of scripted and real occurrences.
  • Dating Shows: Dating Shows, as the name goes are based on the theme of Dating. Dating shows have a basic concept – pairing a man and woman amongst various contestants towards a relationship and possibly marriage. These shows are also known as ‘Dating Game Shows’ as there are a number of tasks which the individuals have to complete and based on their performance are eliminated until the final suitor remains. There is a varying amount of scripted situations depending upon the viewer interest, thus it may show reality imitating situations intended to garner or sustain the interest of the audiences. It may involve a celebrity offering himself or herself available for dating or possible marriage amongst various suitors in a series of competitive levels. Rock of Love is one such example, where Bret Michaels, the lead singer from the band Poison offers himself available as a boyfriend amongst various competing girls. Similarly, Rakhi Ka Swayamwar (India) featured Rakhi Sawant (Indian celeb) who married her choice of groom amongst various suitors in a series of televised episodes. Other dating shows with different format are Average Joe, For Love or Money, Paradise Hotel, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Temptation Island amongst various others.
  • Job-Based Shows: Reality-based Job Shows are the ones where the prize and the challenges are all based around a particular career. The prize could be a career in a world-renowned firm or learning a new job skill or creating a firm etc. Some of these shows are totally celebrity based, like - Celebracadabra, Deadline, The Celebrity Apprentice etc. Other job base shows feature pre-screened skilled contestants where they perform a variety of tasks based on that skill. A judge or a panel of judges rank them according to their best performance and retained or removed in a series of episodes and until a worthy competitor emerges as a winner. Examples of such shows include Face Off for make-up artists, Hell's Kitchen and Top Chef - for culinary skills, Project Runway for clothing design, Shear Genius for hair styling, So You Think You Can Dance for dancing skills, The Apprentice for business skills, Comic Standing for comedians etc.
• Hidden Camera Shows – Hidden camera shows are the ones in which hidden cameras are used to record people’s behaviour who are exposed to a variety of staged situations. Such shows use various props and tricks to incite various emotions. Sometimes a celebrity or cast member guises in various characters and indulge in obnoxious behaviour with the public or acquaintances in public or other places and when the victim has been fooled, he is revealed that he is on camera. Such pranks maybe pulled on celebrities themselves. 'MTV Bakra', India is one such show in which Cyrus Barocha performs these acts and later on does reveal that they are on television. Some of these shows are Candid Camera (1948 onwards), Totally Hidden Video (1991), Punk'd (2003), Scare Tactics (2003), Just For Laughs Gags etc.
• Talk Shows: Reality-based Talk Shows are the ones where a Host (mostly a celebrity) interviews a Featured Guest (famous people) or Discuss a Chosen Topic with a Guest or Panel of Guests either in front of the public or just the Guest and Host, mostly in studios or outdoors. The Topics discussed are frequently outrageous, taboo, provocative and are specially chosen to create public awareness, on-screen drama, tension, outrageous behaviour etc. These may indulge in charity or provide coverage to the efforts of unknown humanitarians, hidden emotional issues, unique individuals or a local hero. These also involve some gags and pranks to bring some humour to the show. These are also referred to as ‘Tabloid Talk Shows’ when they indulge in Sensationalist Journalism and ‘Trash TV’, especially when they indulge in controversy or confrontation of two opposing groups. Some of the major Talk Shows are Larry King Live, The Phil Donahue, Oprah Winfrey Show, Ricki Lake, The Jerry Springer Show and many others.
• Original Life Event Shows: Original Life Event Shows are the ones which show authentic real-life events captured on tape by amateurs or professionals who happened to witness the events. The events shown are accidents, bad behaviour, disasters, daring rescues, escapes, stunts, police chases and other extraordinary events. Some of these shows specialise in only one category, like National Geographic’s ‘Caught in the Act’ show which showcases incidents involving animals. Some of the popular such shows are Caught on Camera, Maximum Exposure, World's Most Amazing Videos etc.
• Hoax Based Shows: Hoax based shows are real in the sense that they are actually making a fool of an individual or a group of individuals. In such shows, the targeted person or group is manipulated to believe in a false premise and are convinced to believe in what is being projected. The rest of the cast are actors who are in on the joke. These shows often served to parody the conventions of the reality TV genre. The first such show was ‘The Joe Schmo Show’ during the 2003's. Other examples are Hell Date - based on Blind Date, Invasion Iowa – the town was convinced that William Shatner was filming a movie, My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss based on - The Apprentice, My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance, Superstar USA – based on American Idol, Space Cadets – contestants are convinced that they were being flown into space, Reality Hell - different target and premise every episode. Other shows offer misleading information to some cast members in order to add a wrinkle to the competition. For example - Boy Meets Boy and Joe Millionaire.
• Supernatural and Paranormal Shows: Supernatural and Paranormal Reality Shows are the ones where the participants are placed in frightening situations which seemingly involve the paranormal. In general, the shows have similar stylized patterns of hand-held camera footage with odd angles; subtitles informing place and time, desaturated imagery, night vision, surveillance, rapid-fire, non-melodic soundtracks and other objects. The format of these shows may vary, for example – in ‘Celebrity Paranormal Project’, it is the investigation of supernatural activities. Series like ‘Scariest Places on Earth’ challenge participants to survive the investigation, ‘Paranormal State’ and ‘Ghost Hunters’ use a recurring crew of paranormal researchers. Series like ‘Scare Tactics’ are filled with supernatural overtones purposely to incite fear or aversion in the cast.
• Sports Shows: Sports based reality shows are involved in organising a sporting competition among sports person who attempts to establish their name in a chosen sport. Sports may be the common factor but the prize can vary. For example, Knight School (2006 US series) focused on students at Texas Tech. University vying for a walk-on (non-scholarship) roster position on the school's men's basketball team under legendary coach Bob Knight. These shows are sometimes used as launching pads for certain participants who may not win the competition but their skills impress sports firms they offer a contract to them. For example - The Ultimate Fighter a.k.a. UTF (U.S. series) has offered good deals to certain individuals in spite of losing. One of the First Reality based sports shows was ‘The Club’ (2002) where a fabricated club competes against real clubs in the sport of Australian rules football; the audience helped select which players played each week by voting for their favourites. Other such shows are ‘The Big Break’ - golfer’s competition, The Contender - boxing show competition, RTÉ One's ‘Celebrity Bainisteoir’ (Irish series) involves eight non-sporting Irish celebrities becoming Bainisteoiri (managers) of mid-level Gaelic football teams, leading their teams in an officially sanctioned tournament.
• Renovation Shows: Reality-based Renovation Shows are those which involve restoration or transforming wholly or partially, a person's house, workspace, vehicle etc. to improve the functioning and or utility. Some of the Renovation Shows is Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Debbie Travis' Facelift, Designed to Sell, While You Were Out and Holmes on Homes. ‘Pimp My Ride’ and ‘Overhaulin' shows vehicles being rebuilt. ‘Restaurant Makeover’ and ‘Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares’, show both the décor and the menu of a failing restaurant being remade. The renovation was taken to its social extreme with the ‘Life Laundry’ (U.K. Series), in which people who had become hoarders, even living in squalor, were given professional assistance.
• Social Experiment Shows: Social experiment shows are the ones where contestants have to undergo different types of social experimentation which produces drama, conflict and occasionally - Transformation. Famous amongst is the ‘Wife Swap’ (2003) which began on Channel 4. In the show, people with different values agreed to live by each other's social rules for a brief period of time and sometimes learn from the experience. Then there have been shows like ‘Faking It’ where a member of the public trains with an expert and then takes part in a contest against experienced participants in certain activities they have learned. The judges had to find amongst the contestants, the ‘Faker’. The prize here is coverage the fakers receive over the course of the month's filming. ‘Shattered’ (U.K.) a 2004 series showcased contestants who could remain without sleeping, the most. Other such shows are Holiday Showdown (ITV), Secret Millionaire (Channel 4) and The Bad Girls Club (lifestyles and actions).

Effect of Reality Shows

The effects of reality shows are multi-pronged, far-reaching and unpredictable. Though not all reality shows are the same but the ones which indulge in creating fake realities are the ones to blame the most. These are the shows which create influencing negativities in the society. Apart from certain shows, most of the reality Television shows are created purely for profit without realising the future consequences on the mindsets of the people at large, especially the young genre. The shows which have achieved significant popularity, cultural prominence and benefit only a few aren’t necessarily, good for the society. Even the so-called ‘Game Shows’ are nothing but promoters of greed where the contestants are playing to the tunes of how much they have won, even if it means humiliation and another behaviour. Majority of the reality shows are derogatory in one way or another, however, the ones without any drama and other negative emotions, do have their advantages.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Reality Shows

Advantages of Reality Shows

• Awards and Prizes: Most of the reality shows give prize money to a variety of contestants which is a beneficial factor of such shows. Apart from cash, they may provide certain facilities, packages and so on. In the process, the common man also benefits.
• Acknowledgement of Achievement: – Many of these shows allow common people to display their skills. Here reality television becomes a platform of display of skill and its consequent praise and applauds by the masses. It provides them with a worldwide coverage which wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Some participants become national celebrities, at least for a short period of time. Talent shows are examples of this kind. Jamie Chung, a former contestant on ‘The Real World’, went on to pursue an acting career, starring in films such as Dragonball Evolution.
• Cheap Source of Entertainment: Television Reality Shows are certainly a cheap source of entertainment as you just have to turn the Television to get entertained, that also in the comfort of your home or wherever you happen to watch them.
• Stardom to Unknown Celebrities: Reality shows like ‘Big Brother’  provide lesser or unknown celebrities with unprecedented Stardom, For example, Shilpa Shetty (Indian actress) won the Celebrity Big Brother 2007. This victory provided her with the status of an international celebrity. Similarly, forgotten celebrities get another chance at redeeming the lost glory or make their presence felt in the entertainment industry.
• Experience: The experience or exposure gained from these shows provide a host of opportunities for participants who may not win but who may catch the attention of a prospective employer. For example, many participants of World Wrestling Entertainment's ‘Tough Enough’ and ‘Diva Search’ shows have been picked up by the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
• Exposure to Unknown Talent: Talent-based shows are major promoters of unknown and rare talent in the form of dance, song, music, art etc. Many of these talents are unique and unseen by the larger populace and if they did not have such a platform, they would have perished or remain secluded in their native environs. Such talent from far corners of the world not only provide awareness of their existence but also the promotion and continuation of such.
• Opportunity to Participate: Talent and game-based shows provide the common public with an opportunity to participate in the televised competition. If there were no such shows there talent would have remained confined to them only. Even if many of the undeserving are rejected they are inspired by their failures to return back without their shortcomings. The opportunity to participate also provides justice to the talent of individuals, who have not received recognition because of various factors.
• Promotion of Brands: If not any, various brands find a new avenue to promote themselves through these shows. The process of placing products in these are known as ‘Product Placement’, where companies and corporations pay the show producers to have their products included in television programming for marketing purposes. For example, The Biggest Loser promoted 6,248 brands and American Idol promoted 4,636 products.
• Publicity to Certain Regions: Reality-based shows not only recognise the talent of the unknown or lesser known but they also provide free publicity to the regions from where the talent has emerged. In this manner, it may attract people who want to research or just visit the place etc. Thus making the region be highlighted on the world map.
• Revenue Generation: There is no doubt that the most popular of these shows end up earning a fortune which further results in more employment for various unemployed individuals. Not only this telecom, advertising agencies and other related industries too benefit from these shows. Example - 2005 season of Super Girl (Chinese version of Pop Idol) drew an audience of around 400 million people and 8 million text message votes.
• Better Understanding of the World: Reality-based shows which feature ‘Original Life Events’ like Caught in the Act’ Caught on Camera, Maximum Exposure, World's Most Amazing Videos etc. help us improve the understanding of the world. They teach us to be disciplined, respect for law, brave, intelligent, respect of nature and other valuable lessons which books are not able to provide. Renovation Shows also provide us know-how of certain things and related ideas.

Disadvantages of Reality Shows

• Do not Portray Reality: Fly on the wall shows and dating shows are the most unreal shows even if they might mention that these are original. They may use the documentary style of filming but they follow a specific path of lies. The producers of the show indulge in carefully designed scenarios, challenges, events and settings to encourage particular behaviours and conflicts. They specifically select certain participants and deliberately use them in their editing strategies to label certain participants as heroes or villains and may guide the drama through altered chronology and selective presentation of events. There are events which have not been recorded at all and the event may be re-staged for the cameras. Then there are instances where the winner had been already decided to owe to some favours provided by the contestant.
• Develops Wrong Notions: Most of the shows based on dealing with melodrama indulge in controversial issues and highlight these to stir up the emotions of the people. In their greed for money, they establish and encourage notions which were either non-existent or had been resolved. Racial discrimination was fully utilised in ‘Celebrity Big Brother 2007’, where it indirectly affected the sentiments of the Indian population. These and other fabricated events promote hatred amongst the different sections of the society and create unrest at large. These are further promoted by politicians and the issue can gain a large proportion even when it was not so.
• Deviates Youth Mentality: The young mind which should be engaged in productive activities are lured to such shows in expectation of quick money and fame. The mentality of youth deviates in this way from academic pursuits to seemingly shortcuts which actually require as much effort and at times more efforts than the conventional paths. Moreover, the glitz and glamour of possible stardom dim the actual potential of youth, who would have otherwise benefited the whole through their genius applied in the right direction. It is to be understood that not everyone can achieve fame and fortune.
• Exploitation: Though, it is evident that exploitation does take place as the contestants are portrayed as villains. However, a more grim exploitation takes place when the contestants are kids. Kids of age as less as 6 years are pitted against each other. Exposure to such competition at such an age causes emotional stress, early maturity and other psychological problems. While the kids should be going about their normal daily lives, they are coerced or moulded to be competitors. Those good in dancing imitate vulgar movements of their favourite numbers. Just because someone has a talent does not mean that they should be pushed in a competition. Let the child develop over a course of normal routine. In this ‘Run for Money’ parents forget that they themselves are becoming a part of this ‘Rat-Race’ and further promoting this race as well. Example, Jon & Kate Plus 8, Kate Plus Eight balloon boy case where 6-year-old Falcon Heene was reportedly coerced by his father to stage for a frantic, live-on-TV chase for an out-of-control helium balloon in which he was suspected to be. This was done by the father in hope of generating publicity.
• Erodes Ethical and Moral Practices: Certain obvious shows, like Big Brother, Bachelor, Temptation Island are purposefully filled with glamour, filtrations, indecent acts, promiscuity, greed, jealousy, conflict and other sensitive issues. These are meant to create controversy and its consequent popularity which are promoters of unethical and immoral practices. Humans tend to get affected, more by negative behaviour rather than positive behaviour, thus these shows provide an appropriate environment for the propagation of aforesaid behaviour. Ultimately it is the society and the world at large which suffers because these shows are breeding grounds for anti-social activities like corruption, murder etc. whose dearth is endless.
• False Image of Life: Reality shows depict a ‘False Image of Life’ which the young mind can perceive as the ‘Actual Reality’. Depending on the perception of the individual mind, it can influence the thoughts and behaviour. They may end up creating a virtual life around themselves which is in accordance with their perception of life. While doing so they may end up in situations which can harm others and the individual as well. The distorted pictures of reality leave an even bigger negative effect of regular television.
• Humiliation as Entertainment: Though not all of us will laugh at humiliations such shows encourage such behaviour even when we don’t intend to. However, repetitive humiliations do make us laugh as well, sometimes just because others are laughing. In this manner, Humiliation becomes an Entertainment for us and we feel satisfied especially when someone whom we don’t like is embarrassed and has to go through pain. It further becomes a known fact which the production houses take special care of while producing the show.
• Means of Business: It is but obvious that more than anything else, these shows are merely profit-making ventures. Production houses are not built on morality, the only morality that they follow is – Profit. It doesn’t matter what the means are, what matters is the end result. In this pursuit, they will go to great lengths and further strengthen the belief that ‘Money is everything’.
• Promotes Aggressive Behaviour: Amongst other anti-social sentiments, aggression is promoted directly or indirectly by the dramatic reality shows. Most of the situations scripted or unscripted showcase conflict of personalities. Contestants often use aggression to make the show spicy, like cat fights, display of anger, use of abusive language etc. While doing so these are glorified with slow motions and impress the viewers as means to an end or otherwise.
• Propagation of Fake Personality: Reality-based shows have another con, that is creating fake personalities out of ordinary. They will show an ordinary person as a high profiled one, which further stirs the imagination of the viewers to consider it as a suitable behaviour. However, such acceptance has its consequences in the form of humiliation and insult. In other cases, a certain contestant is portrayed as a villain even when she isn’t. An edited version of a person is showcased making his personality as someone who should be hated. Unaware of this fact, in the real life, the contestant is hated by the outside world. Similarly, a negative person may be glorified as good human even when the contestant is not so. A victim of the distorted image has been Manigault-Stallworth who appeared in ‘The Apprentice’ was painted with negative portrayal; she earned the title of ‘The Most Hated Woman on Television’.
• Psychological Disorders: There are certain Psychological Disorders which are often observed in people which are direct effects of such shows. Some of these are - Low Self Esteem, Frustration, Depression, Anger, Addiction, Stealing, Celebrity Imitation and other disorders which further encourage anti-social behaviour. Certain psychological issues go unnoticed and unaddressed which is dangerous for any society as it may result in psychopaths. A glaring example of Psychological Disorder was observed when a contestant in the first version of Survivor, which was made for Swedish television, committed suicide after he was the first person voted off the island.
• Source of Voyeurism: Reality TV also promotes voyeurism in varying dosages to prevent the wane of interest in the audience. Thus they will indulge in partial nudity blurred or otherwise, skimpily clad girls, revealing camera angles and other strategies which titillate the audience and maintain the interest of the audience. Voyeurism further ignites lust and in its fulfilment, some people rape, torture and indulge in another inappropriate behaviour.
• Wastage of Time and Energy: Not all but the majority of reality-based shows are wastage of time and energy both for the contestants and especially for the audiences. Big Brother and their akin in several formats are just another sources of entertainment. If we look at our lives, we have so many sources of entertainment and we spend a certain amount of time in this entertainment. The youth indulge the most in such entertainment as they have a lot of time at their expense. In this world, we have endless ways of entertainment and yet we resort to such shows. It is a waste of time as we have already seen such media. We know what’s going to happen and we know to a certain degree that we do not need to watch it, yet we watch it. The time spent on these shows alters our routine to make way for them, we follow it religiously not to miss anything and whilst doing so we often overlook the other aspects of our lives. We forget to exercise, we become lazy and uncooperative. The time and energy if it was to be used for other activities it would benefit us far more than watching these shows.
• Means to File Expensive Law Suits: Reality-based shows are filled with controversies. And if the production houses end up at the receiving end, it becomes a means to file expensive Law Suits. Though nothing wrong with the victim getting compensation but who knows the truth. Furthermore, the state has to bear the expenditure of the lawsuit and not to mention the time utilised. This time and expenditure which would have been used for deciding important cases are taken up by such nonsense.
• Blackmailing: Another form of exploitation, blackmailing though not as much brought forth, is prevalent. In certain instances, indecent footage of contestants is used for blackmailing by the production house to suit their interests. Similarly, certain personalities are forced to participate in such shows owing to blackmailing. Politicians and bureaucrats may be involved in such activities making it an accepted practice and source of further blackmailing.

Curbing or Limiting the Effects of Reality Shows

It is very much evident from the above-mentioned pros and cons of reality shows, that the demerits of reality shows overweigh the merits. There are many other aspects which escape the attention of the public and the authorities as well. The scenario is more concerning than one may expect it to be. Yet, these shows are rampant all over the world, they are even infiltrating where they would be least expected to be. Moreover, it is the demand for these shows amongst the masses that there is a market for these shows. There is hardly any reason for watching the ones which only encourage anti-social activities and weaken the moral fabric of the society. However, if not eradicated there are certain measures which can be taken to limit and prevent the malice which these shows encourage to a certain extent.

• Viewer Discretion: The major contributing factor in discouraging these shows can be the viewers themselves. Reality T.V. shows wouldn't be produced if we didn't watch them. Yes, we do find them entertaining or we find them so shocking that we are simply unable to turn away. However, most of us are by now aware that it is all fake. It is not an easy task because the non-traditional element of reality is a big pulling factor. But at the same time, we can try and encourage others to do so. Viewer discretion can be encouraged by simply pushing the button to another channel. It can be done in the process by limiting the time spent on T.V. One can also watch a few scenes and then turning to another channel. Parents can lock that channel for a particular time of period or reward their children with abstaining these by rewards and appreciation in front of others to make them realise the importance of doing so. This also encourages similar behaviour amongst other parents and their siblings.
• Renaming ‘Reality Shows’: Another measure that can be useful in limiting the negative effects of ‘Reality Television. The term reality itself should be removed wherever it is being used to describe these shows, excluding this article! The benefit of this strategy would be that it would lose the charm of being labelled as ‘Real’ and they will be categorised as fictional or regular soaps. This itself will bring them to the level of ‘Just Another’ series.
• Encourage Parodies and Secret Revealing Series: Certain benefits or incentives should be provided to producers who make parodies in the so-called ‘Reality Television’. News agencies and other media should reveal the reality behind these shows to open the eyes of those who believe in them. Award categories by the name of ‘Best Truth Revealing Series’ can also be added to encourage such productions and discourage the production of fake reality shows.
• Role of Popular Media: Print media like newspapers, magazines etc. along with audio-video media should also play a pivotal role in revealing the ugly face of such shows. They can also reveal in details the tact’s used by the production houses in making these shows appear as genuine.
• Limitations on Production Studio: The authorities can limit the production of such shows by applying extras taxes on these type of shows which will act as ‘Deterrent’ towards the filming of these shows. Similarly, the concerned authorities can put a limit on the number of shows which can be produced in a year.
• Censoring or Banning: Special censoring of such shows need to be conducted in order to remove all sorts of obscenities. Removing these discourage the initial practice of resorting to such lowly acts. Banning is another effective way by which these shows can be stopped. Anybody found dealing in these should be punished as per the law.
• Heavy Penalty on Offenders: Reality-based shows which indulge in scripted activities in the name of reality shows should be heavily fined not only monetarily but also by imprisonment on the basis of ‘False Presentation’ along with insulting coverage in popular media.
• Interesting Alternate Entertainment: Special incentives and other support should be given to those who produce alternate entertainment-based programs which not only entertain but also provide valuable information through its presentations. If the westernised concept of reality shows can be copied, then unique and other useful formats can also be utilised.
• Strict Laws: Strict laws should be implemented so that no one can indulge in any kind of malpractice whilst creating these shows. These laws should also be publicised so that the public also knows that such laws exist. They can, therefore, inform the concerned authorities if such an activity is occurring and informers should be awarded as well.
• Late Night Slots: Though not a deterrent but a discouraging measure can be the late night slots which these shows should get and only on weekdays and not on weekends. This will discourage a large audience to abstain from waking up late to see these. These slots should be provided after 12 O'clocks at midnight. Furthermore, these should be made in a format by the producers so that they cannot be recorded and no repeat telecast during the day.