Introduction
The broadcast media, particularly, television and its varied programs, is now considered a big part of everybody’s life. Everyday, almost every hour, people of all ages, sizes and/or gender can be seen glued to the TV watching their favorite program. Indeed, TV has become a detrimental part of everybody’s life which is why TV producers and/or networks make sure that they will be providing some thing new or something different to the viewers.
It is in this aspect why reality shows came into prominence. Reality TV shows, as the name implies, are TV programs which highlight real life dramas. The characters or the ‘stars’ of such programs are common individuals (ordinary members of the society) who are either invited or auditioned themselves for the said programs. Reality programs/shows are normally aired everyday, or of not, every particular day of the week.
Some of the highly known reality shows we have nowadays are Big Brother, Survivor, Amazing Race, Top Chef, among others. This paper will focus on one particular reality show, Big Brother, as this has been a very famous program which various countries around the world (such as the US, UK, and in some parts of Asia) had their own version.
Results from an Interview Conducted
A family (who wished their named to be kept in private) was chosen to participate in an interview concerning reality TV programs. this study. They are a family of five (with a 35 year old father, 33 year-old mom, 16 year-old daughter and 11 and 6 year-old sons). This particular family may look like the ordinary families we have around the community, but what’s so special about this family is the fact that they are so engrossed in watching reality shows, especially the Big Brother, that they could not go out at nights unless the place where they going to would have a TV set (where they could watch Big Brother).
It should be noted that in reality shows like the Big brother, there really is no script to follow. The director and the program producers totally rely on the characters on how the ‘story’ will evolve. What they need to do is to find certain display of various humanistic emotions in which they think the viewers can certainly relate to. Directors and program producers will also need to think day-to-day activities that they will be asking the ‘characters’ to do so that every night of every show, there is something new to watch for by the viewers. Such activities also serve as tests or challenges for the ‘characters’ which will, sometimes, in turn push them to their limits forcing them to be evicted out of the Big Brother house or of whatever reality show it is.
Below is the summarized version of their responses to interview questions:
- How long have you been watching reality shows like Big Brother?
The members of the family are one in saying that they have been watching Big Brother since it was introduced in TV. In fact, they subscribed to cable so that they will be able to watch other country’s version of Big Brother too.
- Are you giving enough attention to the way the show is aired: the characterization, the script, and the message it imparts to viewers like you? What do you notice?
The older members of the family (both parents and the 16-year old daughter) revealed that they are very particular with the characters and how the directors and program producers conceptualize activities for such characters. They would find it amusing if in some parts, the ‘characters’ could not perform in the activities (and they personally feel that those activities are nothing but an easy task). Sometimes, they empathized with the characters when they miss their families and would want to go out of the Big Brother house. The teenage-daughter even disclosed that she feels that she could not live 45 long days in a house full of strangers and without her family to hang on to, much worst, without any contact to the outside world.
Meanwhile, the two youngsters (the 11 and 6 year-old boys) said that they do not care much about the ‘characters’ or of the directors and the program producers. They watch it because their parents and older sister watch it. they laugh with them when the ‘character’s did funny things or when they failed at some easy-looking challenges.
- Are you bothered by the presence of ‘stars’ or characters’ which are not really from showbiz, and are just, in fact, part of your ordinary circle of people? What about the twists in the ‘story’ which are very unpredictable that even the producers have not thought coming, what do you feel about it?
The parents, especially the mom, stressed that what she loved about the Big Brother house is the fact that the ‘characters’ are just ordinary people. They come from various walks of life. They represent the majority of the populace that s why she can easily relate to the characters’ thoughts and feelings.
The father further added that when certain national issue is raised in the Big Brother house, and the characters commented on it, he would always find himself agreeing or disagreeing with the characters because they have raised a point which represents him, as a commoner, or as an ordinary citizen. And he personally think that if big personalities (either from showbiz or politics) are the characters in the said Big Brother house, he would not feel the same.
The teenager and the two youngsters have different views from the parents. They said that it is nice to have those ‘unknown’ characters in the reality shows, but if known teenagers from the showbiz circle are to be included, it would be more exciting for them.
- Have you been affected emotionally, physically and/or psychologically by what you have seen from Big Brother? In what ways?
“Definitely!” This the common answer from all the members of the family.
The parents are affected emotionally and psychologically. In this reality show, they have seen how youngsters act when they are out of their parents’ sights. And that’s what bothered them the mot. They now worry about their kids. They tend to be paranoid sometimes, especially when their 16-year old daughter will go out with friends. The father would worry about what his daughter would be doing. The mother will even think that their daughter might be acting differently when not in front of the family.
The 16 year-old teenager revealed that because Big Brother house is a very famous reality show in the country, she sometimes pattern the way she dresses herself to her favorite ‘character’ in the said reality show.
The boys said that they are affected but could not easily pinpoint how. They said that all of the characters in the Big Brother house are much older than them. But their opinions towards certain things and their style of expressing themselves affects how them.
- Do you pattern your way of living as how you’ve seen it done characters in the reality show you’re watching? (Y/N)
Both the mother and father said no. They said that because they are old enough, they know what they want and how to do it better. At most times they would comment ‘been there, done that’ at some of the experiences highlighted in the Big Brother house.
The teenager re-stated that she normally patterns her style of clothing with her favorite character in the Big Brother house. While the two youngsters said that no, they cannot do that as they always ask their mom and dad what to do or what to get, etc.
Conclusion
TV programs are forms of media that create a big impact to the society. It may affect the whole being of the viewers. Because of the tremendous success of various TV programs, TV producers have thought of something new and something different to present to their avid viewers, thus the birth of reality shows.
Big Brother is one of the famous reality shows being aired in many countries around the globe today. A lot of versions have been used but the concept remains the same – the people who will act as the ‘characters’ are mostly ordinary citizens representing people from all ages, gender, and/or cultural background; unlike any other TV program, there will be script to memorize and/follow and there’s even no director to cut or edit if the characters did something wrong. It is a reality show and it certainly shows real life dramas, event and emotions.
Based on the literature reviewed and the responses given by the participants of this study, it can be concluded that TV programs like the reality shows do affect the viewers. They give profound impact in the people’s psychological, emotional and physical state. And this is exactly how reality shows, like the Big Brother house, construct meanings for its viewers.
Reality shows, like the Big Brother house, is meant to show to its viewers the other side of life. These reality shows really intend to reveal what people can do and cannot do when they are confined in a place with no outside communication. They exist and become famous because they are able to impart to their viewers that life in TV is exactly like the life in the outside world – real, challenging and unpredictable.
References
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