By Shane Jester & Robert Tyler
Reality romance TV offers participants a quick chance at fame and fortune and at the same time allow viewers a very entertaining peek into the lives of others. “Rock of Love” and “Flavor of Love” both follow a similar format, in that contestants compete in various activities and situations in order to win a place in the star's heart. Some of these activities and situations seem to exploit women's bodies and thus, draw in a large male viewership. “Catfights” and dramatic themes are regular occurrences on the shows, both of which seem to provide viewers with the entertainment that they desire. Both are very popular among both male and female audiences,18-25.
Reality TV shows are very inexpensive to produce and maintain since they are all “unscripted” and feature unpaid contestants. Reality TV has been around for quite some time now, but this new trend of romance reality shows is becoming much more prolific among this age group. These shows give participants a chance to make a name for themselves, all for the cost of exploiting your everyday life to the world. Even though participants are unpaid, they are placed on a national stage which, in turn, makes them easily recognizable in public and therefore are popular candidates for future reality TV productions.
Reality TV has jumpstarted the careers of many, including but not limited to, Tiffany Pollard (better known as “New York”) and Tila Tequila. As a result of their romance oriented reality shows, these two were catapulted to stardom and have since been offered sequels to their shows, record deals, modeling contracts and many other opportunities. All of which would likely have never been presented to them had this trend never came to be. Even contestants of spin off shows, such as “I love New York” are given the golden opportunity and their chance of fame when they participate.
Traditionally, life revolve around the idea that hard work and dedication to studies is the necessary requirement for a long fulfilled and prosperous life, but these shows give a message that success is quick and painless. No longer must a person go to college and obtain a degree to have the quintessential “American Dream.” We have allowed ourselves to be swayed from this blueprint by envisioning a much easier and quicker way to obtain our goals in life. It is reasonable to see why reality television shows are not struggling to find contestants to participate in such shows.
Although, the contestants placed in these shows are “regular people” when compared to their celebrity host, they are not ordinary, in a sense. It seems you must possess a unique set of personal attributes. Being an outgoing person is a necessity. Judging by a recent series of shows such as “Tool Academy,” “Rock of Love” and “Flavor of Love, “ it seems you must possess many other important traits and characteristics, or lack thereof. Many of these people have no sense of humility, shame, manners or self respect; traits any reasonable person looking for love would be interested in. We have allowed ourselves to be portrayed on TV doing ridiculous and absurd things, all for a chance at an easy way out. Reality TV has progressed and evolved itself to fit the needs of an ever-changing audience and does not look to go away any time soon.
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