by Peter W. Johnson, Guest Voice
There are two aspects of American Culture which I honestly cannot wait to see go the way of the dinosaurs—the Tea Party, and, “Reality” shows. But since the Tea Party is condemned or extolled about a million times a day, in a plethora of different article and web posts, this particular post will focus on what we so unabashedly call, Reality Shows instead.
Among the most offensive of these that come to mind are, The Jerry Springer Show, The Bachelor, and The Biggest loser. These shows are not without interesting content or completely devoid of redeeming social value. But their value is infused with cheap sexuality and judgmental social attitudes—and all too often—plain misleading information.
To tell the truth, I have seldom watched an episode of The Jerry Springer Show—which might be more specifically called a “Talk reality show,”—for more than a few minutes, and yet, I feel that I can criticize it in ways that I believe are completely valid and pertinent. I usually encounter it around 2:00 AM during late night bouts of insomnia and, at those times, even a few minutes sufficiently reveals its sensationalistic qualities and its downright cruelty!—aspects that are integral parts of its appeal. Episodes usually feature the suffering and resentments of what might be called “white trash” kinds of people who are willing to say outrageous things and engage in vicious fights with a fickle lover, or with a rival for his or her, affections. But even if crude and uneducated, like many other human beings, they do not deserve the public airing of their most hurtful emotions. The Jeers and taunts from a studio audience with a “get a load of them!” kind of mind set, effectively assaults numerous jilted lovers and those with different sexual orientations with malicious volleys of boos, laughter and claps, apparently designed to strip participants—on stage and off—of the last vestiges of human dignity and compassion. It is all calculated to boost ratings and win the loyalty of a television audience which loves to hear derisive comments aimed at these unfortunate people who are angry, hurting, and willing to come to blows just to receive some measure of personally desired justice. I know that this is not really delivered with a condemning and judgmental “religious” attitude, but none-the-less, I get the opposite and disconcerting feeling that what I am witnessing is not too far removed from the boos and cheers issuing from the Coliseum, as ancient Romans delighted in watching trouble making Christians be attacked by lions—or forced to fight each other to death—all in the name of entertainment! So, I must very quickly exercise my freedom to change the channel and escape this unfolding travesty that amuses so many young and apparently, insensitive people.
Shows like The Bachelor, or any others of the romance centered competitions, are likewise, not lacking in human interest, but, unfortunately they ARE lacking in depth! A virtual harem of young self centered female contestants vies for the affections of a hunky bachelor, in a way that says, “Look at me! I’m grabbing my moment of fame.” It may be unfair to call them Narcissistic just because they enjoy occupying center stage and being the center of attention, but, one can’t help but wonder why so many young, beautiful and often intelligent women need a television competition to find love? Where their prized bachelor is concerned, the whole thing must scream “buyer beware!” as loud as possible while he attempts to pick a compatible partner. And, is it just me, or is it any real wonder that almost none of these televised romances actually manage to survive once the game is over and actual reality must be faced? Besides, what woman can honestly sell herself and all her beautiful qualities while making out under a literal spotlight surrounded by cameras and lenses?
Last but not least, there is The Biggest loser—on the surface an interesting and heartwarming show about heroic obese people who prevail against their own obesity through sheer force of will. The only problem is that the way they are being coached is rarely recommended as a tried and true approach by personal fitness trainers and health experts of today; Every trainer I have ever met recommends losing weight slowly and, not punishing oneself with constant feelings of being deprived. But instead, contestants are tortured with grueling physical tasks and arduous boot camp drills that showcase their virtue and determination to win through noble suffering!
Since I personally have a weight problem which only grows more difficult to manage with age, I understand how a boot camp mentality can lead to impressive temporary results. But, all too often the victory slowly fades after a few years—I personally succeeded in losing more than 70 pounds over the course of two years by relentlessly pushing myself with intense workouts. However, even though I often burned more than 1000 calories during each visit to my gym (at least according to the computerized calorie counters) I eventually became stuck on an inescapable plateau while slowly and inexorably my feelings of frustration and depression returned—effectively erasing any permanent progress.
To the credit of contestants on The Biggest loser, they do know what they’re getting into when they sign their contracts, and, they are brave enough to undertake the competition as a last resort and a last chance to salvage their health. However, I often feel that viewers are more impressed by seeing “fat people” who regain the right to be qualifying members of the human race through their raw effort and sacrifice, and, as atonement for their morbid obesity and supposed personal lack of moderation and discipline. Why else should they have to endure the pubic embarrassment of being weighed like prize cattle at the end of each episode—the fatty folds of their midriffs often being clearly visible to millions of television viewers? And, why would we delight in seeing them flip huge tractor tires like their own personal versions of Sisyphus in Hell or, in watching them dangle from pull up bars as long as they can possibly endure? Sometimes they are even emotionally manipulated by being exposed to bags of jelly donuts, or tempting banana splits. This is all the better to attract viewers and make large amounts of money—effectively exploiting the struggles of noble fat people, and, milking those struggles for all they are worth!
There is a common thread and a similar theme present in all of these, “Reality Shows”—the idea of just what it takes for us to cultivate physical beauty and/or social popularity in a world that dotes on these qualities like Prada obsesses over her shoes or like Vera Wang relies on the human sacrifice of her concentration camp like models who more closely resemble “freaks” in a circus sideshow.
If one reads between the lines, one can make out the shape of the biggest losers of all—those of us who have been embarrassed, intimidated, and bullied in a culture that rewards popularity and perfection with a fanatic zeal. No wonder so many of our children resort to suicide while our most emotionally fragile peers become caught in the tentacles of anorexia, and, we become steadily, more and more crude and cruel—all the while pretending that we truly know how to become caring, empathic human beings. We are still lacking the virtues needed to be loving and compassionate members of the human race while merely seeking personal success and transient social status. Unfortunately, this is also the true reality show, that we all must face and survive in every day!