THE “REALITY” OF SOCIAL MEDIA

DISCUSSION - REALITY TV BACKGROUND

• When did reality TV start?

• An American Family originally aired on PBS in 1971

• They shot 12 episodes

• What show revived reality TV?

• Survivor in 2001

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

• 1. Why is reality TV so popular?

• 2. How realistic is reality TV? Consider characters, story lines, behavior, etc.

• 3. Which reality TV shows are more realistic?

• Consider the impact of reality TV• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m2vWEpmkmo

• 4. What – if any – negative social/cultural issues have emerged as a result of reality TV?

• 16 & Pregnant, Teen Mom, The Bachelor/ette, Celebrity Rehab

• 5. How might staged “reality” shows affect your perception of reality?

• 6. How does editing play into how characters are perceived?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cBKhnUOXNE

QUESTIONS CONTINUED

THE DARK SIDE OF REALITY TV• Which came first, troubles or fame?

• Mental Problems

• In a study published by The Journal of Research, when celebrities were given personality tests, the results for narcissistic personalities for reality TV stars was off the charts

• Reality TV isn’t necessarily an indicator of suicide but mental instability can be an indicator that a troubled person lacks the stability to deal with the dark side of notoriety

• If you fail on TV, you fail in a big way. Your life is an open book making you extremely vulnerable

• Mental issues continued

• Reality TV can fuel fantasy feelings of success, power & glory

• Drug Use/Abuse

• Some reality TV starts turn to drugs & alcohol as a copying mechanism to deal with pressures of reality TV

• In some cases, this may lead to drug overdose or suicide

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4izb44qL38

• Gia Allemand (Bachelor/Bachelor Pad)

• Russell Armstrong (Real Housewives of B.H.)

• Joe Carniglia (Kitchen Nightmares)

• Rachel Brown (Hell’s Kitchen)

• Cheryl Kosewicz (Pirate Master)

• Najai Turpin (The Contender)

• Paula Goodspeed (American Idol)

• Shain Gandee (Buckwild)

• Joey Kovar (Real World – Hollywood)

• Mark Balelo (Storage Wars)

• Mindy McCready (Celebrity Rehab)

• Corey Haim (Two Corey’s)

• Phil Harris (Deadliest Catch)

• AJ Jewell (Real Housewives of Atlanta)

• Julien Hug (Bachelorette)

REALITY TV STARS WHO HAVE DIED(MOST FROM SUICIDE)

REALITY TV ISSUES

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0jV6Wa19HA

• 7. What is catfish (ing)?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrkYhIyMuZ0

• Catfish stories

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36mCV6VtNTY

REALITY DATING

• Reality online?

• Would you participate in online dating?

• What would potential concerns would you have?

• Is it easier to express emotions/feelings/thoughts online as opposed to in-person?

• 8. How has dating changed over time in this online world?

• Consider computer/Internet, texting, avatars, etc.