Steven Reiss’s article, “why America loves reality TV”, explains that Americans fantasize about being famous. Many Americans believe that if others can achieve fame, so can they. Reiss clarified that contestants from different television shows compete everyday to get the highest ratings out of viewers. Reiss stated: “what seems real about reality TV is that it allows Americans to fantasize about gaining status through instant fame”. According to Reiss reality TV educates viewers its shameless behaviors that are shown by the contestants.
Twenge states, “To many older people, it’s funny. But too many younger people the main consumers of the reality shows on, say, MTV it shapes their views of the world” (pg 7). Narcissism is shown often, and without hesitation on reality TV younger viewers are being conditioned by the depiction of narcissism. Slowly, the excess amount of narcissism seems normal. For instance, on “America’s Next Top Model” young viewers wish to be thin, tall, and overall a model, but go about it in the wrong ways.
It also airs in more than a dozen countries. South Park has had a positive influence on society. The show takes serious and current topics, and it presents them in a hilarious manner. Whether it be in a satirical form or serious approach, South Park never misses to teach the audience a lesson. Every episode reminds us that we live in such an amazing country that allows us to exercise our right of freedom of speech in any way possible.The show also targets celebrities and politicians to shows that they are just like everyone else.
The younger generation think that is what they should do since that is what they see on TV and the internet. Divinecaroline.com state “Reality shows have become very popular and teens have begun to realize that you can become famous just by being a bad girl, teen mom, or a crazy party animal who likes to do nothing but drink and “smush,” like the cast members on Jersey Shore.” Shows like this are giving teens the wrong idea. Why should the cast be paid so much for setting a bad example? This country is supposed to be looked up to as a great clean country. With shows like this on air for the world to see it is a disgrace.
An enormous factor that plays into the number of viewers for The Super Bowl is the commercials; they are often very entertaining and usually funny. However, these endorsements are often very sexist and filled with logic fallacies. According to Merriam-Webster Online, sexism is “prejudice or discrimination based on sex” or “behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex.” These “sexual connotations” (Nilsen 36; 15) are shown throughout commercials year-round, but during the Super Bowl they are especially prevalent. Sexism is often shown through language. In the article “Sexism in English: Embodiment and Language,” Nilsen observes, “Going back to what I learned from my dictionary cards, I was surprised to realize how many pairs of words we have in which the feminine word has acquired sexual connotations while the masculine word
The writer of a TV show, especially today, has a highway to communicate with the entire world. At a time where there were so few options for programming writers like Rod Serling basically had exclusive means to communicate to the world. Mr. Serling seemed to take that opportunity seriously and chose to provide more than just entertainment. He chose to entertain by leading the masses to a certain frame of mind, a place where we were able to notice the unimportance of some things and always the ever-present bigger picture. With over 200 produced teleplays over just 25 years, Rod Serling is definitely one of the most successful screenwriters in television history (Vahimagi).
In order for a sitcom to be great, it should be re-watchable. Seinfeld has a number of inside jokes including catch phrases and character flaws which are repeated throughout the episodes. The inside jokes are generally only picked up by dedicated viewers who realise that they’re funny, hence they are necessary in re-watchability. Another factor in a great sitcom is chemistry among the characters. The characters of Seinfeld have such great chemistry that we love to watch them, and feel like a part of it.
A thriller is a show filled with anticipation, tension, and excitement. Such shows would include Lost and 24. Both shows will leave audiences at the edge of thier seat and wanting more by the end of each episode. It is almost as if the characters are our best friends, and we are going through the adventure with them. A horror show will create an uneasy, eerie atmosphere and is intended to frighten watchers.
I would definitely say that Comedy Central's Daily Show with Jon Stewart and the Colbert Report are part of the "media" that affects people’s opinion. These television shows are a way to provide comedic relief to the issues our economy faces; however, these shows still have an impact of how the viewer will understand an issue at hand. It is very difficult for anyone to be completely unbiased and with constantly hearing other people’s opinion through the media. We cannot make a decision of how “we” feel about the topic. Thus, democracy and a fair voting group become tainted.
For instance on the website “Hi I’m Emily-Anne Rigal” says that she has been on many talk shows like The Today Show,Nickelodeon Halo Awards,Good Morning America and many other shows. Also her quote ‘We stop hate” has been on hit childrens show Monster High. According to article Daily Mail.Com titled, :Teenage Star of Documentary Finally Escapes his Tormentors… and Finds Happiness in New School”, claims that Alex Libby created a movie,Bully which he created to try and stop bullying and helped a little but not enough to end bullying for him. Also in the article About We Charity, titled A Connection Around the World, claimed that Iqbal a boy who was sold into child labor at age four because his parents could not afford to pay for a wedding so Iqbal had to work in a carpet factory and escaped when he was 10 and did many speeches which were shown on live television and was murdered at age twelve.This grabbed many people’s attention especially Craig Kielburger who became an activist because of Iqbal. From Time for Kids,titled a heroic return says that Malala Yousafzai has been on many talk shows for example she has been on the Jimmy Kimmel Late Night Show,Jon Stewart Show,etc.