Reality Check: We Love ‘Em

By: Danielle Cort
Posted In: Opinion

It is exactly 5:42 p.m. on a Wednesday night and I have anxiously been awaiting the next episode of “America’s Next Top Model” (followed by the “PCD Search” and the ever-popular “Real World”). Why? I haven’t the slightest clue, except that for some reason, I have become fixated on reality television. Hazardous and overly-dramatic, I know. Entertaining and self-satisfying? Absolutely.

As much as people hate to admit it, reality T.V. is a craze that won’t seem to waver anytime soon. Sure, it is a complete and utter waste of time. And yes, it prolongs the present problem of procrastination that college students continuously find themselves buried under. However (and there is a ‘however’), it does, in its own twisted-psychologically-altered-media driven-attention biting way, bring closure to our lives.

Think of it this way: what better ways to detract from the frustrations and craziness of our own lives, than by watching someone else go through the same things? I mean, let’s take “Brooke” from the “Real World” for example. A Nashville native, this woman is definitely a little extreme, and not in the “out-doorsey” sense of the word. If wearing booty shorts while hiking up mountains or throwing 5-year-old tantrums because she can’t find the nail salon does not spark your interest, I won’t know what will. Watching reality television is like watching our own lives play out in front of us. The confusion, heartache and betrayal that we see week to week is indicative of our own lives. The only difference is the absence of the cameras.

I know for a fact that I am not the only reality junkie on campus. I must be honest and tell you that every week I watch these 30-minute episodes with not one, not two, but about five other girls. We are catty and like to gossip, this I know. But we do it tastefully. For us, it’s the anticipation of what any new show might bring. Will “America’s Next Top Model” break the mold and sign a plus-sized model? Will Sanjaya ever get kicked off of “American Idol?” These things are important, people. And if you knew what I was talking about in these last two sentences then you are in agreement with me.

When it comes down to it, reality T.V. emphasizes daily life under extreme circumstances. Nine times out of 10, the players involved in these reality charades ultimately become famous for being famous. Not too bad of a life, I guess (unless your name is “Coral” and have been a member of the “Gauntlet” for way too long). All joking aside, reality T.V. isn’t that bad. It can be educational and does actually address serious issues that the public should be aware of, but I’ll leave that for another time.

All in all, I’m an advocate for the juicy gossip that filters through television screens across America on a daily basis. Why shouldn’t I be? I mean, it is a good liaison between homework and all our other responsibilities. And now it’s 6:15. I need to eat dinner, shower and finish a paper before another episode of “Top Model.” Some advice? Watch it. The chaos is refreshing.