Reality television gives unrealistic expectations to real people

The dramatic world of reality television has taken the world by storm. People are destroying their self-confidence by unrealistically expecting to look like the picture-perfect personalities on screen. Problems seem to always be solved at the end of the day, but this is far from true.

Shows such as The Bachelor, 90-Day Fiance, Big Brother and others distort scenarios in order to create a false reality. Production teams want the audience to believe that the situations their contestants, or “real people” are in are authentic. 

Along with this, the companies producing the shows want to collect views. Sometimes, they will tamper with sets and storylines as much as they have to in order to increase drama, which leadss to more views. 

Editing what the actors say and who they are talking to is also an infamous way producers manipulate the storylines. The newest bachelorette, Clare Crawley, was a victim of editing on Bachelor in Paradise. In the middle of the season, Crawley had an emotional episode in which she expressed herself to a producer, but instead the clip was doctored to make it look like she was talking to a raccoon. 

Reality television production is not below getting down and dirty to create content and drama. This does significant damage to the people who are watching. Not only is this form of television incredibly dishonest, but it can send a bad message to viewers. 

As entertaining as shows like The Bachelor or Love Is Blind may be, they give unrealistic expectations of love to an easily-influenced society. People who watch these shows hope for a love story as easy-going and real as they see on television when behind the scenes, it is anything but easy.

People can also be negatively influenced by the casts of these shows. If the people on television look or act a certain way, viewers wonder why they don’t look like them. They can also be influenced to act a certain way or persuaded to believe things that are not true at all. 

The idea that anybody can become famous just by being themselves is incredibly distorted. Some of the people going on these shows get brand deals and popularity which does not require them to work a typical job. Young and impressionable audiences can interpret this and apply it to their own lives, thinking there is no need to try hard when it is so easy to become famous and successful.

Another harsh reality of these cult shows is that there are more people becoming celebrities for acting out of character. They may be rude to others, lie or lash out in order to climb their way to the top for fame.

 A lot more people who come on reality television are only looking to further their careers outside of the show. This is a popular theme with The Bachelor, as bachelorette Hannah Brown’s ex-fiance Jed Wyatt only came on the show to gain popularity for his music career.

While many people look to reality television as a release and a form of entertainment, it can be extremely toxic for viewers. Spreading toxicity, dishonesty and diminishing confidence are the last things needed in such a hostile world.