Before I begin, I want to clarify that I AM NOT accusing any tv show, production team, or network of harming their actors or other team members. I am not referencing or speaking about a specific show. Please do not be offended or think I am targeting a show, production, or network!
Reality TV has always been infamous for ridiculous premises, and likely guilty pleasure shows ultimately useless but entertaining. In all honesty, my guilty pleasure is reality drama; though I acknowledge that many of the shows I watch have fantastical elements, I will not deny I was entertained. However, a lot of the backlash reality TV gets how it may not teach audiences anything and have poor writing and execution. Most importantly, many reality TV shows will be called out as scripted, overedited, and fabricated to remain entertaining. However, having fake scenes in presentations can be bothersome to some audience members and can lead to much more severe consequences. First off, One must say that some audience members expect their entertainment to have a level of integrity and honesty when it comes to their "live" and "genuine" events. The integrity of TV can be said to be prevalent in people's expectations, as we rely on television and social media to feed us information about the world around us. Though, it is incredibly easy for public media to fool us [Again, NOT ACCUSING ANYONE!]. Through the power of editing and setups, reality TV can be faked. Like mentioned earlier, this is an upsetting and possibly harmful method of entertainment.
Behind the scenes, many production teams can not only edit but manipulate how their cast is viewed and used. I am not claiming a production team is harming a cast member, only bringing up a possibility. Editing and even behind the scenes tampering or encouragement can significantly affect how the show's final cut will turn out. I will start with the possible defamation to someone who stars in these programs. Editing truly is one of the most powerful forces in the cinematic industry. The tool can lead to the truth being twisted and the final product being completely non-sensical and inaccurate to real life.
The second point that I want to touch on is the possible dangers production teams can present in people's lives. Many shows will rely on drama, lousy health, fighting/abuse, etc., and can even go as far as to promote it all in the name to keep their shows entertaining (ALLEGEDLY!). In the world of media and TV, the value of entertainment is superior. I do not believe any show is doing this but instead has the potential to do so. The arc of a reality television show is nowhere near a fiction drama show. Fictional shows may not always end in happy endings, but they finish the best way the writers saw fit. This dynamic does not fall under the functions of reality TV. Instead, this genre has to avoid endings and usually end under disagreements or contracts ending. Due to entertainment being superior, the production's emotions, ethics, and logic are not the main priority. Shows with drama, fights, and troubles are always the most popular in channels with a high promotion and body of reality TV. It makes sense that they would be encouraged or faked on set because of the popularity of these vile elements.
At first, I remember thinking this was not a bad thing, as I compared it to watching a fictional show that was entertaining and that show producers had to do what they had to do. However, this is not the case. Fake reality television can be dangerous for the reasons mentioned and because their cast and crew are not actors. They are people that are having their actual lives documented. The drama and toxicity could have provoked the production or already existent and exploited. I'm not accusing anyone, but fake reality television usually leans for the worst side of people and exploits them or makes their lives worse, only to create a "better" show. On top of that, shows can heavily promote unhealthy lifestyles since it is presented as "fun" and "watchable." Conclusively, faking elements and scenes in reality TV can be dangerous, all-around disappointed, and probably the biggest hint to stop consuming it.
Disclaimer: I do not think Tifanny Pollard nor the show Flavor of Love are fake. I DO NOT believe that any show I referred to or may have seemed to be talking about is affected. I am only providing hypothetical examples, and everything mentioned is either coincidental or unintentional. It's just a good photo.
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