In NBC’s 30 Rock, Tina Fey’s character Liz Lemon argues that reality television should never be considered an art. To argue her opinion Fey says, “I don’t think eating bugs to earn tampons is art. Performance is an art. Writing is an art.” I agree with what she says one hundred percent. Calling reality television a form of art should be considered blasphemous. It is only when you capture a writer’s voice through the dialogue and emotions of an actor or actress, that you can truly call television art.
In my eyes, reality television is strictly made to entertain its audience and it should not be seen genuinely as art. With shows like The Jersey Shore and The Real World, it’s hard to believe that stupid people doing stupid things could ever be considered an art. It’s not fair that carefully constructed shows like Lost and Saturday Night Live should be classified the same as mindless reality television shows like Keeping up with the Kardashians and Flava Flav’s Flavor of Love. Without the use of scripting and performance, how can someone even consider reality television an art? If art is a skill not easily achieved and all you need is a camera and couple individuals being themselves to make a reality television show, why is reality television being an art form still even being debated?
Although I personally tend to have a distaste for reality television, there are some reality television programs I actually watch and enjoy. When I think of reality television, I think of Jersey Shore or shows like the Bachelor and The Apprentice. I wouldn’t generally view shows that I do watch, such as The Buried Life and Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory, as reality shows despite their classification. Although the majority of these shows are based on the characters’ real lives, there are scripted sections in them. That why, I prefer to categorize these kinds of shows more as documentaries rather than reality show. I would consider shows such as these art, because although they are based on people’s real lives, there is thought and creativity that goes into carefully constructing an episode. In these kinds of programs, the characters generally are doing something with a purpose, not just going to the bars to get drunk and degrade women.
If music is art then reality television shows like American Idol and Americas Got Talent should also be considered art. It is true that the contestants on these shows are artists but the shows themselves are only capturing their artistic talents. This goes for all contestant shows such as Survivor and Top Chef. Yes, in some cases the characters on the show are very skilled people, but to call the shows art doesn’t make too much sense. Besides planning events and tasks, there is nothing much the directors of these shows actually have to do.
If some say reality television is an art, then why are reality shows constantly being called the worst shows on television? It is true that many people tune in to watch these shows, but do they actually believe it’s quality television? Unfortunately I fall under this classification of individuals who tune into these crafty shows, due to my fondness for Jersey Shore. It’s not that I enjoy watching the show; it just make me feel better inside knowing thatI’m not that as senseless as the cast of Jersey Shore. In my eyes reality television is just a way to escape the stress of your own life. Reality television allows people to take time from their hectic days and to just relax as they watch people on MTV embarrass themselves on national television.
All in all, reality television for the most part is just a waste of time that should never be considered art. Just the thought of calling it art brings tears to my eyes. Without writing and performance, a television show is just footage from a camera that had been turned on. There isn’t much creative thought that goes into making these shows due to the fact that the characters are being themselves. I believe art is something that should be looked at and admired by many. Reality television in my eyes should and will never be an art form.
