Conference on World Affairs: Reality TV – can it get any dumber?

Panel agrees that reality TV has hit bottom, will soon be on its way out

With MTV’s “Real World: Denver” unfolding in CU’s backyard, the topic generated a lot of reality-related energy as Tuesday’s CWA lecture, “Reality TV: Can it Get Any Dumber?,” got underway in the Duane Physics and Astrophysics Building.

Panelists Mark Levine, Amy Fox and Andy Ihnatko led a discussion that touched upon the effects and implications of the contemporary reality shows that have flooded American media.

Ihnatko opened up the meeting with a little humor, clarifying that anyone looking to join CBS’s next crew for the reality show, “Big Brother,” better have an application in by Friday, or the deal is off. He continued by admitting that “Deadliest Catch,” “Dirty Jobs” and “The Amazing Race,” all reality shows, are his three most TiVo-ed programs.

“What it comes down to is that you really do have an obligation to recognize and celebrate the humanity of other people,” said Ihnatko. He repeated that certain reality shows, such as “The Amazing Race,” which he said lack extensive producer-controlled scripting, come closest to the ideal of “reality” television.

“They give us a chance to look at the world through other people’s eyes,” he said.

Fox, a successful script writer herself, said, “I’m not outraged by (reality shows).”

“Could they be any dumber? TV is pretty dumb,” she added, putting the question to rest with ease as her fellow panelists agreed in nods.

The three panelists quickly geared the discussion toward the dynamic of reality TV and the basis for such high ratings.

“I think people watch reality TV shows because in the back of everyone’s mind they’re thinking, ‘What would I do?’,” said Levine.

He continued his analysis by breaking down the “real” in reality TV, construing that the process of creating a filmed experience inherently sheds reality.

Fox agreed. “We’re so hung up on this word. Of course it’s not real,” she stated.

Receiving support from her fellow panelists, Fox said that responsibility lies in consumer decision. She explained that it is the consumer’s responsibility to recognize the facade of reality TV and to avoid letting it mean anything more than raunchy entertainment.

The panelists seemed more worried with a notion that reality TV motives are filtering into news programs.

“What I’m real concerned about is when news shows start to become reality TV shows. Beat for beat for beat they’re not trying to tell you about a news story; they’re giving you a reality TV show,” said Ihnatko.

Levine followed, “In the field I’m in (political radio talk show host), they want entertainment. They don’t want policy.”

Ultimately the panelists decided that reality TV shows are on the downfall and that TV patrons can expect future weekly schedules without the flood of “reality.”

“Reality is having its 15 minutes of fame, and we’re in minute 14,” said Levine.

Contact Robert Higginbotham at [email protected]