Risque reality

The utopia of television is here, dare I say, to stay?

During my childhood growing up days in the 80s, I was permitted to the kid's entertainment time on TV – that was like from 3 pm to 6 pm, when cartoons and other shows specifically for kids were aired. The channel options to surf were just a handful of national television and private players. 

After 6 pm, it was the elder's TV time, where they get to stretch their legs after the long day's work and perhaps get couch-potatoed. They would then surf through content such as movies, music, news, sports, soap operas, entertainment gossip etc.

Satellite TV changed all that and more. Now there are at least a 100+ channels to choose from, with no less than 10 channels that air children's programs all day long. From channels specifically for sports, news, music, movies to spirituality, youth, health, cookery, travel etc. 

Well that covers everyone's choice in the family, from kids to teens to parents to grandparents. When there are pets who are family too, don't be surprised with the media gurus who have fished out the Pets channel!

But the media strategists did not just limit their thinking to creating programs by keeping in mind the intended audience and their preferred content. Instead they went a step further by introducing the world to reality TV, and getting the audience to step inside the idiot box and not just sit idle at the other end.

Reality TV is not a new concept, as it was introduced as early as the 40s with shows such as Candid camera and other talent shows. What's interesting is how the sub genre in reality TV has changed over the years with the increasing number of channels. 

The various sub genres include: game based, dating programs, makeover programs, documentary soaps, talent contests, court programs, reality sitcoms, celeb reality. This list has further variants such as:  special living environment, professional activities, dance reality, survival reality, get-rich-quick schemes etc. 

To save myself the torture of even having to glimpse such nonsense, I have developed extra reflexes with handling the TV remote control, bypassing reality content.

There are few movies such as 'The Truman Show' and 'Slumdog Millionaire' which had reality TV as the subject. I was particularly touched by Jim Carrey's character in 'The Truman Show'. 

Jim Carrey plays Truman, who was literally born into reality TV, and the audience hooked at watching his life unfold from birth to adulthood. 

If that was movie, with the character of Truman having no idea that his life is a reality TV show, the world today have people willingly queueing up to become reality stars. 

Becoming a star means quick money and fame. Some with an attitude like, “Who cares if its the reality nonsense, as long as there is money.” 

And others who enjoy the limelight gushing, 'Oh wow, can you believe I have so many followers.'

Leading the reality celeb list is Kim Kardashian, who now has one of the highest social networking followers. Being motivated to garner attention and in the process 'Breaking the internet' the sole goal. 

The new mantra for their cause is: 'risque' it all the way.

Gain publicity by creating a controversy – by either wearing revealing outfits or no outfit at all, by being foul-mouth or by speaking foolishness or any weird antics. 

For every risque act, there is a pile of money to be earned with TRPs, personal branding etc. It should come as no surprise to hear that Kim Kardashian used her branding to create a game in her name, and that made 120 million dollars at launch.

The regular people too are in the hunt. With their various selfie acts imitating their stars, they too are creating milestones with their growing followers list. 

Agreed, that the talent shows are a platform to identify and showcase potential talent. But when it goes to the extent of encouraging unwanted gimmicks, then its not a worthy cause.

Can you ask yourself this question, “Who in their right sense would watch reality TV?”

I was wondering - “People do watch and enjoy circus. But who in their right sense would enjoy this kind of circus".

Statutory warning: Performing circus is a risky choice. And watching reality TV unfold is a personal, risqué one.