Reality Tv; is it sanctioned bullying?
May4Written by:
Monday, May 04, 2009 10:33 AM 
I don't watch a lot of Tv due to time, quality of programs and so on. Recently I watched the Biggest Loser with my children and became quite captivated, yet conflicted. I am still conflicted. You see my gut reaction was; why are these overweight people agreeing to be tortured by skinny people on national television? So this made me feel uneasy about watching; yet as a coach I had to admire the way these people had set themselves goals and set about achieving them albeit often whilst being humiliated on tele. I mean, do you really need to make them crawl thru mud and have them yelled at, for them to achieve their goals? Or is that just for the viewers to create better television and we secretly think "thank god it's not me" just like when people crane their necks to catch a glimpse of a car crash?
Undoubtedly the contestants achieved phenomenal goals and they all seemed to have gained or regained their self esteem. Without wanting to be a naysayer; will it last or was the lure of the 15 minutes of fame the driving factor? Now I am fascinated about the so-called "reality tv" genre. What will be next? As my 9 year old said maybe it's 100 kids and who is the best at licking a lollipop. Masterchef, some renovation program is also coming up. Is this to do with our own lives being boring and instead of working on our own goals, we watch others fail/achieve theirs? Whilst I am full of admiration for the contestants on Biggest Loser, I am still conflicted. You know when you get that uncomfortable feeling inside?