TVSquad

Okay, I admit it. I like reality TV. Or maybe I should say unscripted TV. These days the parsing of the term "reality" has become as much a discussion as the genre itself. And don't kill me for calling it a genre. It is. It's here to stay. As long as producers can come up with ideas that make money and networks give them air time, reality/non-fiction/unscripted television is going to continue to proliferate the tube.

It's not with any great pride that I admit I'm hooked on reality shows -- some reality shows. My favorites include the high quality, classy shows, like The Amazing Race and Top Chef and Project Runway, as well as trashy ones, i.e. The Real Housewives of Orange County (and New York), Hell's Kitchen and Bridezillas. I like some of the competition-oriented shows, but that doesn't stop me from gazing in astonishment at the train wreck docu-series like Hey Paula and Being Bobby Brown. In fact, when I hear Kathy Griffin riffing on those shows -- her imitation of Whitney screaming "Bobby!" is classic -- I want to cry out, "Yes, yes, I watch that one, too."


Watching many of these shows definitely falls into the guilty pleasure category. They're definitely not art or anything resembling timeless TV. Even something award-winning like The Amazing Race is not on the same plane as a scripted drama, comedy or actual documentary series. That's not a diss on TAR; it's more a realization that these types of shows, Survivor and The Amazing Race, etc., shoot reams and reams of footage which is then assembled into an exciting, interesting, entertaining program. A true documentary is edited; but not manipulated. At least not the ones that are true to their journalistic roots. (That means I'm not talking about Geraldo Rivera!)

But The Amazing Race and Survivor and Bridezilla and Project Runway et. al are entertainment. That's the point. Even a show like The Deadliest Catch, which has been catching great press for the ferocity of the action they present, is not immune to creative editing. Does is matter to me that they've edited the footage to create a more exciting show? No. But don't think for a minute that the reality in unscripted entertainment like The Deadliest Catch, Project Runway, The Celebrity Apprentice, The Next Food Network Star, et. al are really real. They're real in that they are real people in actual situations. But any segment of The Deadliest Catch cannot be confused with the reality of a 60 Minutes story. There's no journalistic truth to reality TV. It's just entertainment.

As entertainment, producers don't just set up cameras and show any hour of Millionaire Matchmaker or Platinum Weddings or The Real World (any city). They cut to present the most interesting and dramatic and funny (if appropriate) sections. But there are moments when I can't help but check my conscience and ask, "Is it a good thing to watch Intervention? Should I be fascinated by the collapse of another human being because of drugs or alcohol or something just as debilitating?" What about shows like The Bachelor or My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé (which I must admit I watched in reruns on Fox Reality TV a few weekends ago)? How about Workout and Supernanny? Do I need help?

No. I'll own it. I like some reality/unscripted/non-fiction TV. To me, this kind of television is like sideshow carnival fare or the circus. Some people adore the circus and worship the tinsel and sawdust. I don't. I've never gotten over the stink of the elephants. But I do like reality TV -- some reality TV.

Television is a big tent. There's a lot of entertainment under the tent, and news and substance. I'll accept the jeers and continuing tuning in to the shows that pique my curiosity. Call me lowbrow, if you will, but I'm just one of many of millions who keep these shows afloat.