The screening of Project
Runway and the readings left me thinking in the appeal that reality
television has. Why is it so massively consumed? After reading Illouz’s piece
and the relationship between consumerism and emotions, and Ahmed’s take on
happiness, I’ve come to a very basic distinction between reality shows.
Reality shows that inspire feelings of desire of what could be a
possibility, and the reality shows that inspire feelings on desire of what you
wish could be, but know is not an option.
Some reality shows are designed to portray the privileged and the
opulent lives they live. Shows like the Kardashian’s, the Real Housewives of
(insert city), or the Shahs of Sunset have the potential of awaking feelings of
desire and envy. Desire because it makes you wish you had the money and
connections to live like them. Consume the products they are capable, having 10
expensive luxury cars in which you can go shopping to Rodeo Drive. These type
of reality shows leave audiences with a little (or a lot) of envy and jealousy
of that that you don’t posses.
On the other hand, reality shows like Extreme Makeover or Hoarders
call for feelings of empathy, empathy towards other people’s problems.
Sometimes it makes us return to the feelings of class and taste (hoarders are
distasteful, but at the same time they are sick, so you feel bad for them).
Finally, you have reality shows like Project Runway, Cupcake Wars,
or America’s Next Top Model; that promote feelings of aspiration, personal
achievement, and again, desire. This time though, desire comes in a different
way. While watching rich people inspires desire of material stuff but you are
aware that the possibilities of living that life are remote; the desire
inspired by this last type of reality show is that of accessibility. You can
relate to the contestants, they are regular people, with issues in which you
can see yourself reflected; they are competing in order to achieve a dream, and
sometimes, their dreams are the viewers dreams as well. The desire becomes a
projection of a possible future: “If I get in X show, I would be able to become
X”.
Reality shows inspire emotions, reflect feelings, and allow the
protagonists and the viewers to connect through those feelings. Whether those
feelings are short or long lasting depends on many other factors. But it is the
human desire, what we aim for, finding a meaning, that gives reality shows such
a success.
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