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Reality Shows: Advantages and Disadvantages of TV

Table of contents

Advantages of reality shows, disadvantages of reality tv shows, solutions to overcome the addiction of reality shows.

• Andrejevic, M. (2004). Reality TV: The work of being watched. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
• Bell, M. (2015). Reality TV and class. In A. Hill (Ed.), Reality TV: Key ideas (pp. 135-150). Routledge.
• Choueiti, M., Khanduri, R., & Pieper, K. (2019). Inequality in 1,200 popular films: Examining portrayals of gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ, and disability from 2007-2018. USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative.
• Hill, A. (2015). Introduction. In A. Hill (Ed.), Reality TV: Key ideas (pp. 1-10). Routledge.
• Holmes, S. (2004). Reality TV: Audiences and popular factual television. Routledge.
• Mastro, D. E., & Kopacz, M. A. (2016). Race, reality television, and stereotypes: Examining the content of network and cable reality series. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 60(2), 208-227.

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Beyond the Screen: Reality TV and its Influence on Social Norms

This essay about the influence of reality TV on societal norms explores how these shows transcend mere entertainment to shape our perceptions of fame, success, beauty, and relationships. It into the portrayal of idealized romance and physical appearance, highlighting the potential reinforcement of harmful stereotypes and unrealistic ideals. Moreover, it discusses how reality TV commodifies personal experiences and emotions, blurring the line between reality and performance. Despite concerns about its impact, the essay recognizes the genre’s redeeming qualities, such as sparking important conversations about identity and celebrating creativity. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of approaching reality TV with critical discernment to harness its potential for positive change in society.

How it works

In the digital age’s sprawling landscape, reality TV emerges as a formidable force, threading its narratives through the social tapestry and subtly shaping our collective understanding of societal norms. Beyond the confines of screens, these shows transcend mere entertainment, leaving an indelible mark on our conversations, behaviors, and perceptions of what is deemed acceptable and desirable. From culinary showdowns to romantic escapades and everyday dramas, reality television mirrors both the banal and the extraordinary facets of human existence, leaving an unmistakable imprint on our cultural consciousness.

One of the most striking impacts of reality TV lies in its redefinition of fame and success. Once the exclusive domain of actors and musicians, celebrity status now seems within reach for anyone willing to bare their lives on camera. The meteoric rise of reality TV stars suggests that success is not solely contingent on talent or perseverance but also on visibility and marketability. This shift in perspective can breed a generation fixated on fleeting fame and superficial validation, potentially eclipsing the pursuit of genuine accomplishment and fulfillment.

Moreover, reality TV exerts a profound influence on our perceptions of beauty, relationships, and social dynamics. Shows like “The Bachelor” or “Love Island” present an idealized version of romance, where love unfolds in a meticulously curated environment under the relentless gaze of cameras. This portrayal can distort viewers’ expectations of healthy relationships, fostering unrealistic ideals and behaviors. Likewise, the emphasis on physical appearance and interpersonal conflict in many reality shows can reinforce damaging stereotypes and fuel insecurities among viewers.

Beyond individual behavior, reality TV shapes broader societal norms and values by commodifying personal experiences and emotions. In the relentless quest for ratings and drama, authenticity often takes a backseat to sensationalism, blurring the line between reality and performance. This culture of spectacle can desensitize viewers to real-world issues and perpetuate harmful stereotypes and biases. Moreover, the lack of diversity in many reality TV casts can further entrench existing power dynamics and marginalize underrepresented voices, exacerbating societal inequalities.

Despite these concerns, reality TV is not devoid of redeeming qualities. At its zenith, reality television serves as a catalyst for empathy and understanding, offering viewers glimpses into diverse cultures, perspectives, and lived experiences. Shows like “Queer Eye” or “RuPaul’s Drag Race” spark vital conversations about identity, acceptance, and inclusion, challenging conventional notions of gender and sexuality. Similarly, reality competition shows such as “Project Runway” or “MasterChef” celebrate creativity and craftsmanship, inspiring viewers to pursue their passions and embrace their unique talents.

In conclusion, the influence of reality TV on social norms is a multifaceted phenomenon, reflecting the genre’s diverse content and audience. While some shows perpetuate harmful stereotypes and unrealistic expectations, others have the potential to provoke meaningful dialogue and positive change. As viewers, it is incumbent upon us to approach reality TV with discernment, interrogating the narratives presented and considering their broader societal implications. By engaging with media critically and consciously, we can harness the power of reality television to challenge norms, broaden perspectives, and foster a more inclusive and empathetic society beyond the confines of the screen.

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Reality TV Has Reshaped Our World, Whether We Like It or Not

By judy berman.

“I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to win.” So goes the ultimate reality TV cliché , one popularized by the first season of Survivor , which got broadcast audiences hooked on competitions between telegenic “real people” cashing in the 15 minutes of fame that are the birthright of all Americans. Two decades later, the declaration has proven true of the genre itself. Reality series aren’t exactly well respected; critics, social scientists, and even fans never stop unearthing revelations about their crass manipulations and toxic tropes . Yet despite all the antipathy directed at these programs, they’ve conquered the culture and claimed their prize: our attention.

Reality TV has radically altered the landscapes of celebrity, politics, and power. It has made many people extremely rich; Kim Kardashian has a net worth of $1.8 billion . Reality stars have penetrated every corner of the entertainment industry, from Harry Styles , Kelly Clarkson , and Cardi B on the pop charts (appearing on The X Factor , American Idol , and Love & Hip Hop: New York , respectively) to Jennifer Hudson , Laverne Cox , and Emma Stone in Hollywood (first seen on Idol , I Want to Work for Diddy , and VH1’s In Search of the Partridge Family ). West Side Story best supporting actress Oscar winner Ariana DeBose began her Broadway career following a stint on So You Think You Can Dance . While Project Runway launched Christian Siriano into the fashion stratosphere, Guy Fieri honed his everyman-gourmand persona on The Next Food Network Star . Without the Real Housewives, the Kardashian-Jenner clan, and the Selling Sunset cast, the pages of gossip rags would be virtually blank.

To state the obvious, reality TV also restored the cultural capital and catalyzed the political rise of our 45th President. In a 2016 interview that the critic James Poniewozik highlights in his book Audience of One: Trump, Television, and the Fracturing of America , a former supervising editor of The Apprentice explained the show’s aim: “Make Trump look good, make him look wealthy, legitimate.” Well, it worked. And Trump, the consummate reality star, brought the medium’s guiding principles—conflict, chaos, and public humiliation—to the West Wing

Read more: The 50 Most Influential Reality TV Seasons of All Time

But he was hardly the first to politicize the genre. As early as the ’90s, reality TV was confronting third-rail issues like racism, LGBTQ rights, abortion, homelessness, and AIDS—and that was just in the first three seasons of The Real World . For more than a generation now, reality stars have played as central a role in debates around how Americans should live as any cable-news pundit or newspaper columnist. Millennials and Gen Z have grown up expecting to see their identities, values, and struggles represented on series as ostensibly apolitical as Big Brother and Dancing With the Stars . Which helps to explain the social-media outcry around Trump Administration alum Sean Spicer’s cynical attempt to launder his image with a stint on the latter show.

As that example suggests, reality TV’s winning streak isn’t necessarily good news for society. To the extent that the U.S. has become a harsher, shallower, angrier, more divided place in the 21st century, reality TV—which has helped normalize cruelty, belligerence, superficiality, and disloyalty, and rewarded people who weaponize those traits—bears a share of the blame. As sociologist Danielle J. Lindemann notes in her recent book True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us : “for all of its extreme personalities and outlandish premises, reality TV reflects how regressive we truly are .” With that in mind, our list of reality TV’s most influential seasons is not a celebration of every show, or of the genre writ large. It’s a measure of the profound impact these charming hams, malignant narcissists, and the bizarre situations they keep choosing to inhabit have had on our world, for better and worse.

The Apprentice

Jersey shore, the bachelorette, the masked singer, selling sunset.

It’s Time to Start Taking Reality TV More Seriously

Danielle J. Lindemann ’10GSAS , a sociology professor at Lehigh University, understands reality TV better than practically anyone else. Her new book True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us takes an intellectual dive into a massively popular but maligned genre. 

Why should we take reality TV seriously?

Despite the stigma associated with lowbrow entertainment, studies reveal that more people in the US are watching reality TV than not, and nearly half of all TV series are unscripted. Media research has long shown that what we see on TV impacts our beliefs, values, and attitudes and how we move and act in the world.

I see reality TV as a kind of fun-house mirror, because it can show us ourselves in caricatured or amplified form. The genre reveals some of the worst things about society — sexism, racism, classism, materialism — and dials them up to eleven. But it also shows us the best of ourselves in its creativity. Historically, reality TV has been more diverse than other forms of media in its representation of people of color and queer people, even if those representations haven’t always been positive. Reality TV reveals how much society has evolved and, at the same time, how conservative it remains. 

You teach a course that pairs episodes of reality-TV shows with sociological readings. Which shows do you find particularly interesting?

I like RuPaul’s Drag Race , because it emphasizes how aspects of gender are performed in everyday life. A show like The Bachelor , with its fixation on marriage and rigid gender stereotypes, reveals how long-standing ideas about courtship still powerfully influence the way we think and behave. The Real Housewives franchise offers fascinating character studies and insight into group dynamics, while Keeping Up with the Kardashians explores the strength of the family unit.

What’s your take on why reality TV is so popular?  

Reality TV is voyeuristic. We like watching the “train wreck” character to remind ourselves that even if we’re messed up in our own ways, we are not the train wreck. We might feel smugly superior to the people on these shows. There is a freak-show aspect to this voyeurism too. Sometimes, it’s marginalized groups that are ridiculed, as in the case of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo , where the central family is portrayed as buffoonish and stereotypically lower-class.  

Reality TV involves real people ostensibly reacting to real-world situations, which allows us to put ourselves in the participants’ shoes and see flashes of ourselves. The genre tends to traffic in broad character archetypes — the “smart one” and the “shy one” and the “athletic one,” for example. There’s usually someone you can identify with and say “I’m a Bethenny” or “I’m a Ramona,” and so on. Reality TV is also unique in the way it encourages audience participation: we engage with the stars via social media and, with shows like The Voice or Love Island , we even vote on the outcomes. 

Binging reality TV, at least for me, can have a kind of anesthetic effect. Viewers do not need to see these shows as pure mirrors of life in order to enjoy and connect with them. We know they are constructed by producers and some scenes may be staged. Personally, I enjoy looking for “really real” moments, the smudges in the gloss — like when the Housewives haul out one another’s real-life text messages to read during reunion episodes. 

How has reality TV influenced other areas of society? 

Studies have shown various behaviors to be associated with watching reality TV; heavy viewers of the genre are more likely to drink alcohol, get fake tans, and use hot tubs on dates. While correlation does not necessarily equal causation, one well-known study established a link between viewership of 16 and Pregnant and reduced teen-pregnancy rates. 

Many people have launched successful careers after starting out in reality TV. Cardi B, for example, entered into the public view in 2015 as a cast member of Love & Hip-Hop: New York , where she was portrayed as an aspiring musician. Since then, she has pulled herself up the celebrity pipeline and become a Grammy-winning rapper. 

Some reality stars have even entered politics, the most famous being Donald Trump. Would he have been elected president if he hadn’t appeared on The Apprentice and been shown in a position of power, wearing a suit, and barking orders from behind a desk, and been depicted as always being right? We can’t know for sure, but it’s reasonable to suggest that reality TV helped pave his road to the White House. The media coverage surrounding Trump’s presidency arguably became its own reality show — in 2018, major news outlets even covered a visit to the Oval Office from Kim Kardashian. Trump is an important data point for helping us understand how reality TV both reflects and molds culture. If we learned anything from his presidency, it’s this: one thing that’s “really real” about unscripted programming is its impact.   

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Does Reality TV Deserve Its Bad Rap?

Is reality television valuable or a waste of time? What messages have you gotten from these kinds of shows?

By Callie Holtermann

Students in U.S. high schools can get free digital access to The New York Times until Sept. 1, 2021.

Do you watch any reality television shows? If so, what are your favorites? What do you like about them?

Do you think of reality television as a time-waster, or a guilty pleasure? Or do you think that TV snobs are the ones missing out?

In “ 11 Reality Shows to Watch With Your Older Kids ,” Noel Murray recommends several entertaining, even substantive, reality shows for teenagers to watch with their families:

The reality TV genre often gets dismissed as irredeemably trashy and filled with fame-starved men and women who’ll stab each other in the back to get more time on camera. But that’s not always the case. Many reality series are more like a cross between a documentary and a game show, featuring a diverse assortment of ordinary people who demonstrate their wits, skills and simple human decency as they compete to win a lot money. And some, like the recent Netflix hit “Floor Is Lava,” are just good, goofy fun, ideal for all ages. The 11 shows below are exciting, funny, moving and educational — and exactly the kind of television that parents should be watching with their kids.

The article continues with Mr. Murray’s recommendations:

‘The Great British Baking Show’ There’s a reason this internationally popular cook-off is considered the nicest show on television. In addition to making some eye-catching cakes, pies and breads, the amateur bakers are all friendly and supportive rather than ruthless. By casting people who represent a variety of ages, ethnicities and religious backgrounds, “The Great British Baking Show” producers are presenting an encouragingly utopian vision of Britain in the 21st century, depicting an eclectic and inviting nation where people appreciate each other for both their differences and for what they have in common. ‘Nailed It!’ Maybe the funniest reality series, “Nailed It!” functions like a parody of “The Great British Baking Show,” replacing skilled home cooks with more ordinary, bumbling bakers. Tasked to replicate impossibly intricate and beautifully decorated confections — under ridiculously tight deadlines, with weird impediments to overcome — these lovable schmoes do their best to produce something that looks and tastes at least passable. Host Nicole Byer brings just the right note of cheery whimsy to a series that allows the audience to laugh at the contestants’ foibles while also encouraging us to admire their pluck. ‘Project Runway: Junior’ Most Little League versions of reality competitions are way too simplified and cutesy; but “Project Runway: Junior” contains nearly everything that made the original a hit, from the fiendish design challenges to the shrewd judging. The big difference is that these teenage designers treat their time together more like a fun and congenial summer camp than like a must-win struggle to become fashion’s next big thing. This is a “Project Runway” with a refreshing feel-good vibe, populated by some arty high school outsiders who boost each other’s self-esteem as they make amazing clothes. ‘Survivor’ It’s only right to end with the granddaddy of American reality TV competitions, which has been on the air for 40 seasons stretched across 20 years. It’s as fascinating in 2020 as it was in 2000 to watch a group of strangers test their physical limits on a remote beach while also forging alliances and secretly strategizing. As with so many other shows on this list, “Survivor” is packed with teachable moments, offering lessons about game theory, trust and the foundations of society itself.

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

Mr. Murray writes that “the reality TV genre often gets dismissed as irredeemably trashy.” Do you agree with this judgment? Why do you think that some television shows are labeled “highbrow” or intellectual, while others are considered “lowbrow” or trashy? Is this distinction valuable? How do you think art and culture are used to signal social status or class?

What worthwhile reality shows would you add to Mr. Murray’s list? Who are some of your favorite contestants, hosts or guest stars you’ve encountered on reality TV and why?

Mr. Murray describes two of the shows he mentions as “depicting an eclectic and inviting nation where people appreciate each other for both their differences and for what they have in common” and “offering lessons about game theory, trust and the foundations of society itself.” What messages have you gotten from reality television? What lessons have you learned from your favorite shows?

What would you change about reality television? Do you think the genre promotes dangerous stereotypes or underrepresents people of color ? How do you think these issues should be addressed?

In 2015, we asked students which reality shows they would want to join as a guest star or contestant. Which shows would you want to enter? Why?

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What Is a Reality Show? Research Paper

Introduction, background information, types of reality shows, the role of reality tv show.

Reality Television World covers a great row of independent reality shows which involve and describe typical situations of ordinary people. It is considered to be a kind of television genre disclosing different actual events, funny or dramatic situations without participation of professional actors. Reality television is one of the most widely spread genres of television aspects and it includes different kinds of TV formats without any strict limitations or prohibitions. It gives an opportunity to express a kind of programming freedom in order to show real situations of our life with its difficulties and puzzles.

Television reality shows covers thousands of different life episodes with the usage of creative editing in order to make shows more emotional and bright. Reality shows can be devoted to different subjects but the main fact is that they should provide the participants of the shows with the freedom to play and react in the most real and typical way. It is important to stress that one should not confuse reality shows with all others types of TV programs in which the participants are to ignore the cameras and are asked to behave in a natural way. The main task of producers is to encourage their participants and in some cases private conversations are used which are typed and play the role of narration.

Television reality shows have been developing for a long period of time and covered many periods of television progressing. But it is necessary to stress that the peak in the development of this television type was in 2000 when the majority types of shows were produced. In the period between 1960s-1970s TV shows were scripted with the involvement of professional actors who were to create and play the characters.

People thought that reality shows were not thoroughly planned and actors were not normally trained though they were involved and played their roles according to the program. Producers could not meet the requirements of the public and create an interesting storyline. The first real TV show was created only in 1970 and was called An American Family. The author and creator of the show was Public Broadcasting System. This reality show disclosed the real life of different families which were about to face divorce. It had success while it showed some typical situations from the real life of people and highlighted life mistakes which should be avoided in ordinary families. (Pollick, 2006)

The next period in the development of reality shows was in 1980 when the next show COPS was introduced to the public. This type of reality shows was aimed at presentation of policemen’s work to the audience through the hand-held cameras. This reality show was really recognized and generally accepted. It considered to be the impact in the sphere of reality television, because this show gave a start to the plenty of others and production companies began their activities striving to create new exciting reality shows involving professional photographers, police cameras and news organizations. This period in the reality television development was very important and it brought real success to the sphere being very popular especially among the youth.

Meanwhile another type of reality shows appeared and was spread among the public. It was called The Real World and disclosed different unusual situations experiences by ordinary people. The audience enjoyed this show as it was really true to life and gave an opportunity to evaluate their actions watching ordinary people. This period left a print in the history of reality television development. (Keveney, 2007)

One of the most outstanding reality shows in the USA was considered to be CBS’s Survivor . This reality show was produced in 1999 and resulted in strong objections on the part of professional directors and actors. Nevertheless Survivor met the requirements of the public and found its audience in spite of all prohibitions and objections. This show was mostly concentrated on the play of non-professional actors and did not require a lot of cost for production, but all the same it was professionally done and satisfied the audience of that period. The success of this show was really vivid from the very beginning and that is why it caused an increase of competitiveness in the sphere of television activities.

Reality television has undergone a wide range of changes and periods of development. It was the reason for the creation of different sub-types of reality shows. The most popular are the following:

Documentary TV shows

This type of reality shows means that cameras are only passive observers watching usual activities of our every day life. This type includes the following sub-categories: celebrities, special living environment and professional activities. Such shows as Big Brother, The Simple Life, American Chopper, Temptation Island are considered to be the most prominent reality shows of this type.

This type of reality shows discloses the real competitions for some prize being isolated in a particular environment and showing team forces in different competitions. The participants are usually judged by the audience with the involvement of the voting or by the decision of the players themselves. Dating-based competitions, fear-centric, job search and sports are the main sub-categories of this type. The most famous reality shows of this sub-category are Flavor of Love, Making the Band, Top Design, Fear Factor and many others. (Dollar, 2008)

Self-Improvement

It is a special and very important type of reality shows because it brings positive changes to the life of the society and influences the audience. It is important to stress that this type of reality television format is aimed at the improvement of the ordinary people’s life with the involvement of the television. The most popular shows are the following: Extreme Makeover, The Biggest Loser, The Bad Girls Club and some others. One should note that this type is not only a kind of television entertainment but also a kind of aid to those who need support and look for different ways out of their difficult life situations and misunderstanding on the part of surrounding people… (Macartney, 2005)

Renovation reality shows describe the peculiarities of a person’s work or living space. It includes While You Were Out, This Old House, Changing Rooms and some others. The purpose of these reality shows is to describe the experience of the society in life and work, to show some mistakes and achievements in order to bring some improvements to the publicity.

Dating Shows

Reality shows which are devoted to the dating and romantic meetings are the mostly spread among the youth. They are considered to be rather close to real life as they show the most typical situations faced by modern couples. Such shows as Parental Control, Blind Date etc. are the most popular in the USA. Dating reality shows are very spread not only in America but on the international level, because they are of high demand among the modern population and their audience if large enough to produce them again and again. They are very entertaining and involving and usually they lead to their complete imitation in life on the part of teenagers.

Different types of discussions and interviewing belong to this type of reality shows. The main purpose of this show is to promote some useful information; these shows are very informative and strict in rules. They are created according to the traditional standards of news and broadcasting without any interference of other styles. To this type the following reality shows belong as The Jerry Springer, Ricki Lake and some others.

Hidden Cameras

It is one of the most interesting and relaxing reality shows which exist on the television. The purpose of these shows is just entertain and teach to laugh at each other and at typical life situations we face almost every day. Candid Camera and Scare Tactics are aimed at entertaining of the audience focusing on jokes and different funny situations of life.

The role of reality shows is very significant in our life, especially for those who prefer to devote their time to the television programs. Nowadays, at the period of globalization, our vision on life has changed a lot in comparison with previous generations. People try to imitate each others and demonstrate their life to the publicity. The youth tries to avoid quite and peaceful life somewhere apart from peers; and that is why modern reality shows are so popular in the society.

Sometimes TV programs may seem to be so real that we forget that it is only show not a real life. The demand on the reality shows production is very high and that is why they are so widely spread among the population. There is a type of people who are called reality TV junkies; these people cannot imagine their life without television and reality shows are their life with real actors and events. (Lynch, 2006)

The role of reality shows is quite vivid in our modern life. It is important to stress the main functions of reality shows:

• Informative;
• Entertaining;
• Instructive;

The basic purpose of all kinds of reality shows is to reflect the real life events in order to evaluate them on the examples of other people’s actions and understand your own mistakes or life happiness. Reality shows make our life not so boring and dramatic providing the audience with different funny cases and situations and demonstrating our natural reaction on them. (Kurtz, 2007)

To sum everything up it important to state that reality TV shows became an integral part of our modern life with their competitions, funny situations and useful interviews. Inmost cases reality shows are very Magistral and instructive; they can even change our opinion of bring some changes. But one should remember that they can also influence our life negatively, so it is just a show and we should not care about the flow of events or take close to heart the fate of the actors.

Michael, Pollick. What is a Reality Show? Informational Paper. NY. 2006.

Keveney, Bill. Real World Launched a Revolution. USA Today, 2007.

Dollar, Steve. Reality Never Looked So… Real. The New York Sun, 2008.

Lynch, Mark. Reality is not Enough. The politics of Reality. 2006.

Kurtz, Howard. Reality Show. Free Press, pp. 480. 2007.

Macartney, Jane. TV Talent Contest. The Times. 2005.

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IvyPanda. (2024, March 9). What Is a Reality Show? https://ivypanda.com/essays/what-is-a-reality-show/

"What Is a Reality Show?" IvyPanda , 9 Mar. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/what-is-a-reality-show/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'What Is a Reality Show'. 9 March.

IvyPanda . 2024. "What Is a Reality Show?" March 9, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/what-is-a-reality-show/.

1. IvyPanda . "What Is a Reality Show?" March 9, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/what-is-a-reality-show/.

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IvyPanda . "What Is a Reality Show?" March 9, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/what-is-a-reality-show/.

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Sport and Competition

How reality shows affect our lives and society, what are the negative and positive effects of reality tv.

Posted April 12, 2022 | Reviewed by Abigail Fagan

• People are often drawn to reality TV because they enjoy the drama and relate to difficult decision-making.
• The theme of self-interest vs. self-sacrifice runs through many reality shows.
• Reality shows often lead people to reflect on what they might do in a similar situation, which can be a good exercise in values exploration.

Millions of people around the world tune in to reality shows and have been watching for decades. What started out as an experiment has turned into mainstream programming and as a culture, we can’t get enough of it.

Is there any personal or societal cost to our ongoing fascination with reality shows? While opinions certainly differ on the topic, it comes down to a few factors:

• The malleability of your values
• Your commitment to behaving in ways that reflect your values

Television and all other forms of media have an impact on our thoughts, opinions, and behaviors. There is no doubt that what we take in for entertainment and information influences the way we think about the world around us. Our minds are designed to synthesize boatloads of information every day, from our interactions with others to the books we read and the entertainment we seek out. We make sense of the world through these pieces of information we gather, and this impacts how we live our lives every day.

Beyond the daily information we absorb, we are also influenced by our prior life experiences, our family of origin, the environment we are raised in and a slew of other cultural and genetic factors. These interpersonal and direct influences are more likely to impact our values and behaviors than reality shows. Does this mean that we should be unconcerned about the ways in which reality show trends impact us? No, we definitely need to pay attention to the underlying messages in these shows and explore why they appeal to us so much.

Why Do Reality Shows Reel Us In?

Reality shows keep us coming back, week after week. We want to know who said what to whom, which person betrayed another or who compromised their alliances or made a shady decision that influenced other people. It’s all about the best and worst of human behavior; it is an observational psychology class without the lecture or exams.

Often reality shows cause us to reflect on what we might do in a similar situation, which can be a good exercise in values exploration. The basic question of self-interest versus self-sacrifice is a theme that runs through most reality shows. These themes of good and bad behaviors, betrayal, competition , and connection are familiar to us; we make similar decisions every day, minus the cameras, artificial scenarios, and publicity. It calls to us because on a very basic level, we love human drama, and we relate to tough decisions. Whether it is a competition for love, money, fame, or notoriety, we enjoy watching the struggle. When we root for our favorite reality show participant, we are identifying something compelling within them, and this may say a lot about us if we choose to explore it. As we indulge in our favorite reality shows, we can ask ourselves:

• What do I enjoy about this show and what emotions does it elicit?
• What appeals to me about these characters and their role in the show?
• Would I make different choices than these characters? If so, why?
• What values do I embrace in my life that are either abided by or abandoned in this show?

Reality shows are ironically named because they are often far from realistic scenarios. Even though these programs are guilty pleasures for so many, we can use them as good conversation starters with friends and as food for thought within our own minds as we consider our values and how to live in ways that demonstrate those values.

Teyhou Smyth, Ph.D., LMFT , teaches psychology at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University.

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Example Of Reality TV Shows Essay

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Women , Time , Color , Reality , Life , Water , Family , Literature

Words: 1100

Published: 08/04/2021

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Write an intricate, confessional, or embarrassing essay

Introduction

Today, there is an obsession with reality and this is reflected in the great number of TV shows and series such as Survivor, The Apprentice, Hell’s Kitchen, Shark Yank etc. The success of these “reality” shows goes to show that life is made up of different components and is not a neat narrative as previously implied in conventional novels and fiction stories. This is captured by the statement: "As a work gets more autobiographical, more intricate, more confessional, more embarrassing, it breaks into fragments" (Shield 308). This statement is true because people are bored with the ordered fiction stories and TV shows, which do not reflect what truly happens in day to day life. This paper critically examines this statement and provides an example of an embarrassing essay to illustrate the meaning of: "As a work gets more autobiographical, more intricate, more confessional, more embarrassing, it breaks into fragments."

Real stories, which are intimate, confessional or embarrassing, carry different elements and ideas which lend themselves to various interpretations. They do not consist of a series of events leading up to one great revelation, but are a series of interestingly disparate and divergent revelations in themselves. This is because life is not prepackaged along narrative lines, which are always strictly followed but it consists of many points of diversion. This means that a confessional, embarrassing and intricate story presents the truth about life in a better manner than a reported fictional story presenting imaginations of what life is about. This is true because of the very nature of difference in characters between individuals, which is expressed in different reactions to different situations. Life is not a coherent, measurable whole which concludes in a major single revelation but it comes in bits and pieces which change characters, decisions and outcomes. This fact is illustrated through the following confessional story. I am sitting on my front porch thinking about what will be happening later today: I will be taking my five year old son and seven year old daughter for a swim. I can’t help but feel a sense of apprehension at the thought of having to see them attempt something I never quite became used to. More worrying to me is the likelihood of one of them failing or drowning. I have never quite known how to swim. I can float for thirty seconds but after that I just sink slowly to the cold floor of the pool. I have been to schools where swimming was taught but no. I remember our teacher in school shouting “move your legs! Move your legs!” as my classmates and I clung onto the rails of the swimming pool and oscillated our feet at the surface of the water. It was a great lesson on how to move on the water and attempt to float. The previous teacher, Mr. Smith had drowned in this very pool just a month to this lesson. That, coupled with my fear of large masses of water became a great impediment to my learning.

Here comes my son now. He is looking excited as he runs around the porch barefoot. He reminds me of myself, learning new things, feeling new textures for the first time and tasting new things: soil, grass, butterflies and even unmentionable stuff. He is wearing a flowered shirt and green shorts. The shirt looks a bit inappropriate I think it has a large marijuana leaf at the back. Something a hippy might wear. He is a naughty one, this one, always breaking things. But aren’t all boys? My daughter is more mannered. How could I have fathered such a composed and mature creature? She is asking me what time we shall be leaving the house and whether we should carry lunch money. We are getting closer and closer to the dreaded moment but I find solace in the little things I am currently experiencing. My wife Carol is in the kitchen putting together sandwiches for everyone. We have been married for thirteen years. Yes, I know. I also get surprised together with those people I tell this. She is a wonderful wife and her cooking is always delectable. Maybe it is responsible for my ever expanding gut but hey! I am not complaining. Her favorite color is blue and this can be seen all over the house and in her car. It reminds me of the ocean and Oh! It reminds me that soon, I will be taking my children out for a swim.

More importantly, it reminds me that cannot swim. She will not be coming to our little get away but how I wish she would. She is an excellent swimmer. She swam competitively in college and even has a few trophies on the mantelpiece. 17-nil is how I like to think of her achievements in comparison to mine. This is a little bit harsh but it is the reality I have to try and avoid every day. Remembering this gives me a bad feeling in the stomach. Don’t get me wrong, I love her to the moon and back. However, her achievements and her favorite color remind me of my failures and numerous “miss-hits” I almost became a doctor; I almost bought a Ferrari in college; I almost became rich but sold my shares too early; I almost became drafted to the NBA; I almost learnt how to swim. I cannot swim.

Life is made up of different splinters of, which do not necessarily lead to a big revelation. The more biographical, intricate and confessional a work becomes, it splinters. Life is not ordered or structured along narrative lines which must be strictly followed. This means that the different constituent happenings in life affect decisions, directions and outcomes. This is reflected in the confessional story above where different reflections and memories lead to fragments of ideas and plot. Different events are interwoven into each other rather than being one continuous stream of happenings. This should be considered in various shows and literary works to avoid the “unreal” unidirectional narrative type of work.

Shields, David. Reality hunger: a manifesto. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010. Print.

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The 10 Best Network Reality TV Shows, Ranked

We still shiver at some of the challenges on 'Fear Factor.'

Reality TV shows are a dime a dozen nowadays, with both linear networks as well as streaming services coming out with their own creative shows. From reality dating shows to celebrity lifestyle shows, competition series, and more, there is a ton of variety. Many of the most popular reality shows nowadays come from streaming services, such as Love is Blind on Netflix, or specialty networks, like the Real Housewives franchise shows on Bravo. But traditional networks like ABC, CBS, and NBC have exciting options as well.

When it comes to the best network reality TV shows of all time, including shows that aired in the past and many that are still on the air with new seasons today, there are a few that stand out. In fact, all but one is still going strong with new seasons into the 21st century, proving just how popular they are.

10 'Fear Factor' (2001-2018)

Created by pulse creative, evolution media, endemol usa.

Hosted first by Joe Rogan then Ludacris for its revival, Fear Factor aired on NBC from 2001-2006 and 2011-2012, then returned for a single season on MTV from 2017-2018. But it’s the original that really struck a chord with viewers. The controversial stunt/dare game show was designed to take the most common fears and turn them into a way to both conquer them and win money. Based on the Dutch series Now or Neverland , each episode sees the players performing different stunts, from physical stunts to consuming disgusting items, or something extreme involving heights, water, or vehicles.

The show is tense, exciting, and thrilling as fans watch to see just how far competitors will go to earn money and emerge the winner. While the format changed throughout with extended competitions and tournaments with past champions, the premise remained the same with the overarching question: what difficult, gross things will players do to pad their pocketbooks?

fear factor

Fear Factor can be streamed on Hulu in the U.S.

Watch on Hulu

9 'The Bachelor' (2002-)

Created by mike fleiss.

A staple for primetime viewing, a favorite guilty pleasure for many, and widely considered to be one of the best reality shows of all time , The Bachelor fascinates viewers as a single man is given the opportunity to date dozens of women from all walks of life in hopes that one will become his wife by the end of the process. He goes on individual dates, has conversations and interactions with each, then hands out roses at the end of each episode to those he wants to continue dating. The end sees the final two women waiting to find out who he has decided to propose to, if either of them.

Despite the unconventional dating set-up, The Bachelor has become all-consuming for fans who eat up every moment of drama, both among the women vying for the affections of the same man, and the bachelor with his various potential loves. While romance is at the core of The Bachelor , it’s really all the drama that surrounds it that makes the show so deliciously fun to watch.

The Bachelor

The Bachelor can be streamed on Hulu in the U.S.

8 'The Bachelorette' (2003-)

Created by elan gale.

The popularity of The Bachelor led to this widely successful spin-off that flips the script and puts a woman at the center. Following the same premise, she dates dozens of men in hopes of finding “the one.” Often, the bachelorette at the center is a favorite from The Bachelor who wasn’t chosen and vice versa. With similar drama, fans have a fly-on-the-wall view as the men fight for her affection and the woman deals with the turmoil of deciding who to keep dating and who to send home. It all culminates in the big final decision. The Bachelorette is just as popular as the original.

Shaking things up, later seasons featured two women looking for love. Plenty of controversy and conversation has been spawned through the most exciting seasons. The Bachelorette has made some pivotal moves in recent years, including casting Rachel Lindsay as the first Black bachelorette in season 13 and Jenn Tran as the first Asian American for season 21.

The Bachelorette

A single bachelorette dates multiple men over several weeks, narrowing them down to hopefully find her true love.

The Bachelorette can be streamed on Hulu in the U.S.

7 'Shark Tank' (2009-)

Created by mark burnett.

The venture capital-based reality TV show Shark Tank has been a boon for the economy, helping aspire entrepreneurs to get their concepts, ideas, and businesses in front of wealthy celebrity investors who can take them to the next level, like Marc Cuban . Based on the Dragons’ Den Japanese series, Shark Tank has been part of some of the biggest product launches, from Scrub Daddy to Bombas. The founder of Ring doorbells even appeared on the show (and did not receive an investment) before the company became a huge success.

Shark Tank is a feel-good show with emotional and heartwarming stories about individuals and families who have sacrificed so much to achieve their American Dream. But it’s also educational, teaching viewers of all ages about the fundamentals of business and negotiating, and sometimes, the harsh realities of both.

Shark Tank can be streamed on Hulu in the U.S.

6 'America's Got Talent' (2006-)

Created by simon cowell.

Following the tremendous success of Britain’s Got Talent , Simon Cowell brought the concept to America, where it has achieved just as much success. A fun and exciting talent competition, everyone from singers to magicians, dancers to stand-up comedians and others with unique talents take the stage in hopes of making it through to the next round. The panel of judges on America’s Got Talent provide their critiques and decides who goes through, after which it’s in the hands of viewers to vote on the acts they love.

The competition, which awards the winner a contract in Vegas, has resulted in some of the biggest stars, both winners and not, including Terry Fator, Mat Franco, Shin Lim, Jabbawockeez , and Tape Face . The show is also responsible for some massively viral performances, like Light Balance , Courtney Hadwin , and Kodi Lee . America’s Got Talent has become a launchpad for many performers who have gone on to appear in Vegas shows, whether they have won or not.

Americas Got Talent

America's Got Talent can be streamed on Peacock in the U.S.

Watch on Peacock

5 'Hell's Kitchen' (2005-)

Created by gordon ramsay.

Known for his scathing insults and potty mouth, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay uses Hell’s Kitchen as a way to find the next big chef who will work in one of his new or existing restaurants. As one of Ramsay’s best reality shows , Hell’s Kitchen sees aspiring young chefs compete to provide they have what it takes. But they quickly realize Ramsay’s expectations are high, and the heat is a lot to take in his kitchen.

The cooking competition show sees the competitors divided into two teams where they must work together to run dinner service, night after night. Each week, several are nominated and one is sent home until only two are left to compete head-to-head to win. Some of the show’s winners have gone on to run Ramsay restaurants, a few even continue to work on the show, helping the teams. Anyone fascinated with what goes on behind the scenes of a fine dining restaurant (embellished for entertainment purposes, of course) and fans of Ramsay himself absolutely adore this show. As formulaic as it is, there’s always something new and exciting each season.

Hell's Kitchen

Hell's Kitchen can be streamed on Prime Video in the U.S.

Watch on Prime Video

4 'The Amazing Race' (2001-)

Created by elise doganieri & bertram van munster.

Hosted throughout its entire run by Phil Keoghan , The Amazing Race is a thrilling journey around the world with teams of pairs competing in the most elaborate scavenger hunt. They must follow directions, make their way to different locales by plane, train, car, boat, and on foot, then compete in various challenges. Each challenge involves the culture of the country they’re visiting and could be everything from constructing items to learning a specific dance, doing strenuous manual labor, or repelling down a mountain. It’s a physically and mentally tough competition that combines travel with competition.

The views are spectacular, and the intensity is high as fans watch the teams, which include everyone from fathers and sons to married couples and long-time friends, deal with the pressure in their own unique ways. With both unknown players and ones from other reality shows, like Survivor and Big Brother , The Amazing Race has become a fan favorite.

The Amazing Race

The Amazing Race can be streamed on Paramount+ in the U.S.

Watch on Paramount+

3 'American Idol' (2002-)

Created by simon fuller.

Airing on Fox from 2002 through 2016 then resurrected on ABC from 2018 to present, American Idol has become the Star Search of this generation. The singing competition series welcomes young singers of all kinds to audition for the panel of judges. They make it through various rounds, from the first intimate round to group auditions before the final top 10 (or 12) is chosen and the performances become live. From this point, viewers at home vote for their favorites and a single winner is crowned.

Most famous for featuring artists like Kelly Clarkson (the show’s first winner), Carrie Underwood , Jennifer Hudson , and Chris Daughtry , along with incredibly memorable performances , not every winner has gone on to achieve success. But some who didn’t win also became major stars, gaining worldwide recognition and seeing doors open from the show. From the format to the lovely story of people from small towns achieving their dreams of performing on a big stage, American Idol is feel-good family viewing.

American Idol

American Idol can be streamed on Hulu in the U.S.

2 'Big Brother' (2000-)

Created by john de mol jr..

Based on the Dutch reality show of the same name, Big Brother uses the concept from George Orwell ’s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four . A group of houseguests from all walks of life across America are set to live in a house together through the summer. Cameras record their every move 24/7 while they are required to wear mic packs to record their words as well. They compete in physical and mental competitions and strategize with one another to determine who will be voted out each week. The fact that the players are completely cut off from the real world and any form of entertainment beyond a pool, exercise equipment, a bible, and a chess board, makes Big Brother a social experiment like no other.

Some strategize heavily as leaders, known among fans as Big Brother legends , others fade to the background in hopes they can make it through week after week without ever being considered a target. From the friction among houseguests to budding romances, Big Brother is always entertaining to watch. The show has become so popular that die-hard fans even subscribe to live feeds to view the houseguests outside the live and packaged episodes.

Big Brother

Big Brother can be streamed on Paramount+ in the U.S.

1 'Survivor' (2000-)

Created by charlie parsons.

One of the most revered reality competition shows , not to mention one of the longest running, Survivor has become inspirational as much as it is entertaining. People from across America (and now Canada as well) apply to go into the wild where they work with tribes to build shelters, find food, and compete in physical competitions for rewards and safety. Survivor continues to shake things up with new twists each season, from Immunity Idol to Exile Island.

What’s great about Survivor is that some players go on the show believing they won’t be able to make it but surprise themselves by coming into their own and pushing their perceived limits. With no real-world distractions, many open up to others about their personal struggles and prove things to themselves they never thought possible. Many past competitors have called being on Survivor a life-changing experience, even if they lost and went back to their regular lives after the season.

Survivor can be streamed on Paramount+ in the U.S.

Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show Episode 3 Recap: Is It Safe To Be Jerrod Carmichael's Friend?

In this episode, we meet his friend Jess. Does he do her dirty? And what happens to Jess after the show? We have the answers!

Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show raises a lot of questions. For example: Should queer people expect more than just tolerance from our families? I s monogamy necessary for a successful relationship? Important questions that are good to explore and air out. Episode 3 of Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show asks a different kind of question, but one we should consider just as carefully: Is it actually safe to be friends with Jerrod Carmichael?

“I have this problem,” Carmichael tells a crowd at the beginning of the episode (“Friendship”), “I only like to do exactly what I want to do.” Sometimes, he explains, he is forced to show up for other people and must reluctantly do so, like very early in this episode, when he is forced to show up at his friend Pooh’s wedding—because he is the best man. Best man jobs are of course like jury duty, you get that summons and you have to go, no questions asked. Carmichael says Pooh asked him to go to Men’s Wearhouse to be fitted for a rental tuxedo, but instead he sends his assistant—who has thus far been wise enough not to put herself on camera—to get a tux from Tom Ford. Carmichael shows up on the day of the wedding in the wrong clothes, makes a half-hearted attempt to get the right clothes, stops for a hot dog instead, and misses the ceremony entirely. We see only a furtively shot few seconds of the incomplete wedding party assembled for pictures, Carmichael-less, which tells me the bride was a hard no on participating in Carmichael's experiment.

“Am I a good friend?” He asks another audience. They—and I, and you, and Pooh, and Mrs. Pooh—lean toward no.

And then we are back to Carmichael’s New York apartment, where Jess, his friend from home, is coming to stay for an undefined amount of time. “Hey baby-daddy,” she says at the door. “Point me towards my domicile.” Jess has decided to hit pause on her job as a teacher in North Carolina and try her hand at acting. She’s done the expected thing, the comfortable thing, for too long—“I’ve steered myself away from the opportunity to even try to do this,” she explains—and now she feels it’s time for her to take a big swing. Carmichael tells an audience: “Jess and I used to dream together. When you grow up poor in the hood, dreaming together is big. I told Jess: when I’m rich: I’ll take care of you.” He pauses. “Then a crazy thing happened: I actually got rich.”

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Jess’s life is a little less orderly than Carmichael’s, as we learn right away. She’s a bit of a slob! She is not afraid to leave an empty bottle of Fiji water here and there! “I thought I had priced out of a roommate,” Carmichael tells an audience, which he has. In fact, he has enough money to put her up somewhere else right away, so you are left wondering how authentic this particular conflict really is, and who really benefits from her having a free place to crash.

Carmichael's boyfriend, Michael, comes for a visit, and he and Jess hit it off immediately, because Michael is good people. He and Carmichael have what Carmichael calls “secret sex, because I am a moaner.” Jess replies, “You ain’t gotta be quiet for me, because I’ll be at the door with a glass.” Jess, you and an unlimited number of Fijis are welcome in my home at any time.

Jess may be in the market for new friends soon anyway. Carmichael tells an audience he’s a little ambivalent about helping a friend with a dream that … he doesn’t even finish the sentence. He just makes a cringe face. “Look, I’m no mathematician,” he says, “but she probably won’t make it.”

Now, he knows she’s going to see this. He has either told her it’s coming, which is uncomfortable, or he hasn’t and she’s seeing it in real time with the rest of us, which is cruel. Worst of all, he’s allowed cameras into the couple of auditions she gets in the city, and as someone who used to audition a good amount, I can tell you this for sure: auditions are hard! Nobody is at their best in these situations! When they are pulled out of their context and aired for people who are not casting directors, audition tapes are just awkward! They should be confidential and locked up forever, subject to HIPAA regulation. Carmichael has done her dirty here.

Also here: Jess is talking a lot about her upcoming birthday, and whether they should go to the Hamptons for it. He maybe takes advantage of her excitement and anticipation a little bit by blindfolding her and taking her to a secret location, which is the apartment he should have rented for her in the first place. “I made it like it’s a fun surprise I’m kicking her out,” he says. And indeed, she is thrilled—“Look at God working in my life,” she says— but away from her, to Michael (and to the camera, therefore to the rest of us), he says, “I didn’t tell her I only got it for a month.” And then, perhaps most cruelly of all, he has left her alone to assemble IKEA furniture by herself.

From her own place, Jess calls and calls about her birthday, and he doesn’t answer. “Some people I just fall away from,” Carmichael tells an audience. “I need them, I get really close to them, and then something happens when I push them away.”

Carmichael and Michael talk about it, and Michael is characteristically level-headed: “Avoidance is cruel. Like, if you and I had a conflict in our relationship, how would you feel if I just went silent?”

“You better not,” Carmichael says.

“No, you better not,” Michael says, reminding him that the conversation is about Carmichael’s own actual real-time avoidance of his own actual friend .

“You better not,” Carmichael repeats, not getting the point. (Also it bears mentioning: Jess should have texted rather than called. This is 2024.)

At this point, faced with his own flaws in an apartment full of cameras and microphones, there is nothing for Carmichael to do but eat a moderate dose of mushrooms, watch a Brene Brown special, and apologize to everyone he has wronged. Most of them don’t seem to be too happy to hear from him, and we get snippets of some tough conversations: “Nobody can hurt you as bad as a gay man” says one. “You’re not even an A-list celebrity,” says another. Carmichael is having these conversations with earbuds in, but we hear them as if he is on speakerphone, so it’s hard to know what’s really happening.

“Friendship” ends with Carmichael flying to Atlanta to drop in on Pooh, the guy whose wedding has given the culture the most confusing Best Man situation since Young MC’s “Bust a Move.” Carmichael gives the Best Man speech he failed to give the first time around, and it’s fine, and Mrs. Pooh is not there, because Mrs. Pooh has some sense, which is something money cannot buy.

Last month, when I spent time with Jerrod for his recent Esquire cover story , I asked a broad question about Jess, which was: why on Earth would she sign up for this show in the first place? “She might have been the only one that had a motivation to do it,” he said. “I told her to use the show to her advantage, not just career-wise, but also for conversations in her life.” Submitting your entire life to cameras and editors is not the way most people address conversations in their lives, of course, which even he admits. “She was nervous. She's got a career, and she's nervous about her career. Every time I put a black woman on television, they always worry that they're going to say something that's going to get 'em fired. She's so nervous about that.”

It’s good to know he can acknowledge that very valid concern, which is why it’s even more baffling that the episode ends with Jess’s acting coach urging her to yell “fuck you” over and over, and then the words “you’re gay” with the subtext of “fuck you,” making her have to say, “Let me give a disclaimer: I love the gays.” Nothing there that can come back to haunt a teacher in the extremely laid-back political environment teachers are currently enjoying!

So where is Jess now? “She's in North Carolina,” he said. “It was hard, because all the strikes were happening, and so I wanted her to get some auditions, but there was nothing happening.” But, he adds, “She's considering coming back.”

That’s good news. And I will say this: Jess, the industry is thawing in a post-strike Los Angeles, and we have a guest room that is already a little messy. Think about it.

Read more of Dave Holmes’s coverage of Jerrod Carmichael:

• Jerrod Carmichael Has Done the Unthinkable (Esquire cover story)
• Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show Episode 1 Recap
• Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show Episode 2 Recap

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Screen Rant

10 "it was just a dream" twists in tv shows that actually worked.

Revealing that some events took place within one character’s mind is one of the most hated tropes in TV, but there are still ways of making it work.

• Dream reveals in TV can tank a show's credibility and cheapen storylines, but some episodes execute it well to subvert expectations.
• Successful dream episodes have real impact on the plot, reveal character details, and keep the stakes high.
• While dream reveals are often criticized, when done right, they can add layers of complexity and reveal hidden truths about characters.

The classic "it was all a dream" trope is one of the most hated and mocked storytelling crutches in TV, but there are some episodes which manage to pull it off brilliantly. The problem with the trope is that it cheapens everything that comes before it, by revealing that the events ultimately have no bearing on the plot. Also, it tanks a show's credibility, because audiences no longer feel they can trust what they see.

Dallas infamously retconned an entire season by revealing it was just a dream, and other shows like Grey's Anatomy and Doctor Who have had mixed success with this technique. However, like all tropes, there are ways of using it well. Comedy shows tend to have the best success rate, because they can poke fun at the idea and it doesn't matter as much if an episode doesn't advance the plot, but drama shows ocasionally have success with it too.

10 Mr. Smithers Dreams That Mr. Burns Is Alive

The simpsons s7, e1, "who shot mr. burns part two".

*Availability in US

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"Who Shot Mr. Burns?" set up the biggest cliffhanger in the history of The Simpsons . When the show returned for its seventh season, there was a lot of fan speculation about who could be guilty, so the writers immediately subverted this mystery. The show opens with Mr. Smithers waking up to discover that Mr. Burns is alive and well, but this is just a dream. After his dream spins off into a bizarre detective show about hotrod racers, he wakes up to brutal reality.

Mr. Smithers is a big suspect in The Simpsons' "Who Shot Mr. Burns?" mystery , so opening the episode with him suggests that his bad dreams may be caused by guilt. His dream about Mr. Burns is a false reverse, a technique The Simpsons would use multiple times. For example, in the season 6 episode, "Lisa's Rival" Lisa wakes up to find that Allison has bested her in a saxophone competition. She screams in terror and wakes up from her nightmare, only to discover that Allison really has won.

9 A Trip Into Dr. House's Subconscious Reveals Hidden Depths

House s2, e24, "no reason".

The reason this story works where other dream episodes fail is that the events of the dream have a real bearing on the world outside of it.

House has a few dream sequences, and it's usually fairly easy to tell what's real and what isn't. If Dr. House walks without a limp, then it's all inside his head. This is used to shocking effect when his house explodes and he dies, only for him to suddenly wake up. "No Reason" stands out because it is one of the first episodes which takes a dive into House's subconscious, and it toys with the audience a lot more.

Throughout season 2's finale, it's unclear just how much of the plot takes place in House's dreams. The reason this story works where other dream episodes fail is that the events of the dream have a real bearing on the world outside of it. Also, the dream reveals a lot about House's inner world that remained a mystery up to that point. He presents a facade as cocky and self-righteous, but his dream shows that he struggles with insecurity and fear more than he lets on. The man who shot him acts as the devil on his shoulder in the dream.

8 Cooper's Horror Experience Is All In His Head

Black mirror s3, e2, "playtest".

"Playtest" starts with an American tourist in Europe who decides to earn some extra cash by taking part in an experimental virtual reality gaming system. The first level consists of a simple game with a small woodland critter who would look at home in Snow White, but Cooper then advances to the next level, an immersive horror experience which weaponizes his own deepest fears against him.

The dream reveal works so well in "Playtest" because it makes the horror even more disturbing , not less. Rather than Cooper's experiences being caused by a malfunctioning system, they are caused by a perfectly working machine with malevolent intent. The false reveal also works brilliantly, when it appears that Cooper is pulled out of the game. This extra twist ensures that "Playtest" remains one of Black Mirror 's best episodes .

7 Greendale Wasn't Really A Shared Delusion

Community s3, e19, "curriculum unavailable".

By creating a layer of separation, Community can highlight how absurd some of its plot contrivances are, and it can also mock other shows which use dream reveals in earnest.

Community pokes fun at the "it was all a dream" trope with its season 3 episode "Curriculum Unavailable". A psychiatrist manages to convince the study group that their entire experience at Greendale Community College was nothing more than a shared delusion, and that he may need to institutionalize them again, since they are relapsing. It doesn't take long for the study group to figure out he's lying to them in an attempt to keep them off campus.

"Curriculum Unavailable" is Community 's way of deconstructing some of the common tropes and logical fallacies of sitcoms, and specifically the show itself. The study group are shown in a mental hospital acting out past episodes and babbling to themselves. By creating a layer of separation, Community can highlight how absurd some of its plot contrivances are, and it can also mock other shows which use dream reveals in earnest.

6 The Gang's Race-Swapping Adventure Takes Place In Someone Else's Dream

It's always sunny in philadelphia s12, e1, "the gang turns black".

"The Gang Turns Black" is one of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia 's most experimental episodes . The entire plot takes place within the dream of Carl, who the gang only refer to as "Old Black Man," and it reveals a lot about his life before he became just the old man who sleeps in the same bed as Dennis, Mac and Dee. His dream envisions a fantastical scenario in which the gang find themselves magically transformed into Black people.

The race-swapping plot allows the gang to see the world from a different perspective, so it's important to reveal this is just a dream, otherwise it's possible that they could learn some kind of moral lesson. This would go against what It's Always Sunny is about. The fantasy and musical elements of the episode also wouldn't make sense in the tone of the show, which usually devolves into shouting matches and insults.

5 Finn Can't Escape King Worm's Nightmare

Adventure time s4, e18, "king worm".

Usually, when a TV show reveals that a story was all a dream, it destroys the stakes, but "King Worm" raises the stakes, because it shows that waking up is no escape.

Adventure Time has a lot of terrifying episodes for a children's show. "King Worm" still stands out as one of its most insidious horrors, because the danger is coming from within Finn's mind, and King Worm can use his fears against him. King Worm aims to trap Finn inside a nightmare for as long as possible so that he can drain his life energy. Ultimately, Finn can only overcome King Worm by shattering his dream world by confronting his fears and insecurities.

The dream reveal works so well in "King Worm" because it subverts the usual formula. Usually, when a TV show reveals that a story was all a dream, it destroys the stakes, but "King Worm" raises the stakes, because it shows that waking up is no escape. There is nowhere for Finn to run, and with King Worm creeping deeper into his subconscious, it also seems as though he won't be able to fight his way out.

4 Jerry Doesn't Get Gunned Down

Seinfeld s2, e10, "the baby shower".

Seinfeld uses a dream sequence to reveal Jerry's neurotic fears in "The Baby Shower". When he agrees to Kramer's plea to let two shady individuals install illegal cable in his apartment, he has a nightmare of being hunted down and killed by the FBI. The dream reveal is the ultimate punch line to the joke, as Jerry's ridiculous fantasies highlight his paranoia.

Jerry's nightmare is a parody of the "it was all a dream" trope , and it also pokes fun at hard-boiled crime shows with spectacular shoot-outs. Since Jerry doesn't tend to take anything in his life seriously, he can only see any potential troubles through the lens of movies and TV, rather than by relating them to any actual hardships he has faced. In this way, the dream reveal underlines Jerry's immature nature, as well as being one of the show's more memorable scenes.

3 J.D. Can't Escape Into His Daydreams

Scrubs s1, e22, "my occurence".

Rather than the daydreams being used to add some levity to the show, "My Occurence" flips this technique by having J.D. retreat further into his fantasy world to avoid the uncomfortable truth.

Scrubs frequently dips into J.D.'s daydreams. He uses his childish fantasies as a way to entertain himself and cope with the stresses of working in a hospital, but the season 1 episode "My Occurence" takes this to extreme lengths. When Dr. Cox's friend is admitted to Sacred Heart with what seems like a minor injury, J.D. eventually has to deliver the bad news that things are much worse than they first feared.

Rather than the daydreams being used to add some levity to the show, "My Occurence" flips this technique by having J.D. retreat further into his fantasy world to avoid the uncomfortable truth. Most of the episode is revealed to be one extended daydream, but ultimately J.D. finds that he can't escape the reality of what is happening to Dr. Cox's friend. His most reliable coping mechanism can only do so much for him.

2 Professor Farnsworth Can Only Dream Of Inventing The Finglonger

Futurama s2, e16, "anthology of interest part i".

Futurama 's anthology episodes envision different hypothetical scenarios, all made possible by Professor Farnsworth's what-if machine, a device that can simulate any potential situation. While it's clear that each of the tales are merely simulations, the end of "Anthology of Interest Part I" reveals a hidden layer. The entire episode takes place within a hypothetical situation in which Professor Farnsworth develops the "finglonger," a glove with one very long finger.

The Professor sees his what-if machine as fairly ordinary, and none of his other inventions, such as the smelloscope or his doomsday devices, seem to excite him as much as the finglonger. The finglonger is the most simplistic of them all, but it remains out of reach for some reason. The reveal works on more than one level, as the crew's excitement over the finglonger in the simulation suggests that the what-if machine is calibrated to the Professor's warped perspective. In reality, nobody would care if he made a glove with a long finger.

1 The Abandoned Town Is All A Test

The twilight zone s1, e1, "where is everybody".

The Twilight Zone is notorious for its dream episodes, so it makes sense that the very first episode is revealed to be a hallucination.

The Twilight Zone is notorious for its dream episodes, so it makes sense that the very first episode is revealed to be a hallucination. Out of all the show's episodes which take place in a dream, "Where is Everybody?" is one that works extremely well. The key is that waking up does not put an end to the aspiring astronaut's terror. It merely reveals that he now knows what horrors he's in for.

"Where is Everybody?" is one of The Twilight Zone 's best episodes . It follows a man with amnesia exploring an empty town, but everywhere he goes it seems as though people have just left seconds before his arrival. The mystery begins to toy with his emotions as he feels as if he's chasing ghosts. In the end, it's revealed that he's an astronaut in training, and the town is no more than an induced hallucination to test how he might react to the stresses of prolonged isolation in space travel.

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‘Tia Mowry: My Next Act’ Reality Series Set At WEtv

By Peter White

Peter White

Executive Editor, Television

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Tia Mowry is heading back to reality television. The Sister, Sister star is to front Tia Mowry: My Next Act for AMC Network’s WEtv .

She previously starred in The Style Network’s reality series Tia & Tamera alongside her twin sister.

It comes after Mowry and her husband, Cory Hardrict finalized their divorce last year.

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Mowry most recently starred in Netflix series Family Reunion and recently published her second cookbook, The Quick Fix Kitchen.

Tia Mowry: My Next Act is produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment and she exec produces alongside Adam Griffin, Erin Richards, Dionne Harmon, Madison Merritt, Elaine Metaxas and Jesse Collins. Angela Molloy, SVP Development & Original Production, Unscripted and Lisa Marie Angelo, Director Development & Original Production, Unscripted Executive Produce for WEtv.

Mowry is represented by UTA, Vault Entertainment and Felker Toczek.

“I am excited to share more about myself, both personally and professionally. Having been in the public eye for most my life, things often get misinterpreted, or people get misled. I am excited to pull back the curtain on this next chapter of my life,” said Mowry.

“It’s been a joy watching Tia’s career progress since staring on beloved series Sister, Sister, to culture classic The Game and films such as Baggage Claim, proving she is the epitome of a true force within the industry,” added Brett Dismuke, Head of Content, WE tv and ALLBLK. “Tia has maintained tremendous success with a prolific career that continues to evolve, however, there is much more than meets the eye. We are thrilled Tia trusted WE tv to share her unfiltered journey, giving viewers deeply personal and unapologetic access as she enters her next chapter.”

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Reality Tv Nowadays

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