Behind the Lens of Reality TV
Image Courtesy: Elle
While presenting at the Emmy's, Kim Kardashian and Kendall Jenner became the butt of the joke after claiming that their family was just "real people being themselves" who told their "unfiltered and unscripted" stories. The apparent falsehood of this statement questions the integrity of reality television. Reality television functions as a mirror, but one within a funhouse. The twisted storylines and stretched truth allow for good television but also allow viewers to wonder if they're being duped.
Much of reality television's drama is generated within editing. A whole season can provide hundreds of hours of footage, while viewers are seeing the highlight reels. The editors of The Real Housewives of New Jersey aren't going to feature a scene of the women tending to their mundane responsibilities, but rather scenes of them flipping tables. These dramatic scenes may not be entirely truthful themselves. Producers use the technique of "frankenbiting," or combining unrelated clips to cater to the storyline. They are encouraged to "imagine the story I wanted to happen and leave out everything else," a previous producer explained.
Producers of reality television dodge the title of 'writer' because if that were the case, reality television would truly be scripted. Instead, previous reality show cast members argue that producers are "master manipulators." In the end, reality television is designed to attract viewers, and therefore gain a profit. Producers are inclined to twist reality, whether by encouraging cast members to behave a certain way, or during the editing process, to ensure success among audiences. This mindset can lead to the exploitation and emotional manipulation of cast members. When combined with grueling schedules and a lack of self-care, it can lead participants to their breaking point.
The dramatic personalities of reality television often leave viewers wondering where casting directors found these people. While casting, producers are looking for characters, not people. The more flawed the better, as producers look deep into the personal lives of potential participants. However, as a result of this mindset potentials lie within their audition, crafting a character that isn't true to reality. A previous reality television producer explained that if cast members are unable to maintain this persona and generate drama, they would be removed from the program.
Image Courtesy: Cheat Sheet
Given this information, can we blame reality television personalities for their bad behavior? In a recent season of The Real Housewives of Orange County, Tamra Judge was criticized by viewers for her calculated behavior, including getting caught in lies and gossiping behind her co-stars' backs. This behavior fueled rumors that she wouldn't be invited back to the next season. Despite this, Judge defends herself by claiming "it was all a set up" and blaming the editing in a story on Instagram. Cast members frequently blame bad editing for being portrayed as the villain of the season.
On the other hand, there are reality television personalities that own their behavior rather than denying it. Bethenny Frankel is, arguably, one of the most entertaining personalities of Bravo's Real Housewives franchise and is described as "a more neurotic, Upper East Side, real-life version of Carrie Bradshaw." By encouraging her co-stars to "mention it all" in regard to her personal life, she has managed to perfect her persona through her seasons on The Real Housewives of New York. Frankel is so beloved that viewers question if she influenced her portrayal, but I would argue that her sense of humor and willingness to be vulnerable is what grants her a spot in the 'Housewives Hall of Fame.'
Despite its reputation to stretch the truth, reality television continues to be America's guilty pleasure. The genre has perfected its formula: dramatic enough to be entertaining, yet its viewers can relate to its storyline. This allows viewers to disassociate from their issues while focusing the spotlight on someone else. An article for The Odyssey says, "We can't help but be drawn into watching others act even more dysfunctional than ourselves. It's fun to be a spectator as the drama unfolds elsewhere, knowing your life isn't nearly as chaotic as the show you're watching." Our issues, and the way we handle them, often pale in comparison to those of the larger than life characters.
In addition to this game of comparison, viewers can learn from reality television. Perhaps viewers are looking for hope, a role model, or assurance within their own lives. The relatability of reality television offers them the chance to do just that. During Frankel’s time on The Real Housewives of New York viewers watched the humble beginnings of what is now Skinnygirl, her multimillion-dollar company. She turned into a business mogul while overcoming divorce, raising her daughter, and, eventually, grieving the loss of her boyfriend. Her storyline proved to women that they can be girl bosses despite their circumstances.
A study done by the Girl Scout Research Institute supports the idea that reality television can be used as a "learning tool" for girls who regularly watch reality television. Despite the bad behavior often televised by these programs, it offered role models for goals that assured them there are people like them achieving their dreams. Another study analyzed the brain activity of regular viewers. It concluded that the secondhand embarrassment you undergo activates areas in the brain related to empathy. These studies show that the relatable aspect of reality television is doing its job; viewers are putting themselves in the character's shoes, even if these shoes aren't a true reflection of reality.
Acknowledging what is happening behind the scenes of reality television should urge viewers to acknowledge what is going on 'behind the scenes' of a cast member's life. While we see the entertainment of reality television through its viewership, we can see its toxicity through reality television personalities that remove themselves from the public eye due to poor reputations or an invasion of privacy. While we watch these programs and get invested in the lives of the characters, we must consider the circumstances before casting our judgments.
Strike Out,
Writer: Haley Hauk-Landon
Editors: Giselle Parks and Savannah Tindall
Tallahassee