Has the reality TV craze gone too far?
By James Sarek, 12/05/2005. .
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In late May, the next instalment of Big Brother will begin, as will the ensuing frenzy of the masses of the British public reaching for their phones to vote. We, as a nation, seem to enjoy watching people sit down and do nothing; the question is - why?
Big Brother, when first broadcast in 1999, was seen as revolutionary; nothing had really been seen like this before on British television, and was considered a success. Unfortunately, this triggered a spate of shows that tried to copy the format - for one "I'm a Z-list (sorry, Celebrity), Get me out of Here!". Viewers can now get 24 hour access to the undoubtably interesting lives of everyday citizens just by pushing a button, surely far more interesting than living a life of their own. Why has the format become so popular?
It may just be down to human nature; the curiosity of seeing how other people react to different situations and how relationships can be formed. The programme-makers are in fact just exploiting these contestants - leaving them at risk of ridicule from the general public, perhaps even as far as death threats, all because they might have not flushed the toilet or had an argument with some-one.
The "celebrity" shows are probably the worst; washed-up has beens who refuse to let go of their ego, eager to grab just another 15 minutes of fame perhaps by milking a pig or eating a beetle. Perhaps they should be on television, just to show what ridiculous lows they have gone to just to nurse their inflated opinions of theirself.
The reality TV phase may be one that never dies out within this generation; we just want more and more, an unquenchable thirst that can never be satisfied in our lust for those who just want to be famous - then cast off into the wilderness again, just like those who watch them religiously.
