Reality TV Shows

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How players of a Reality-Based show win or lose, based on the outcome of their behavior Reality television engages the viewers by providing a story line and plot similar to the way a writer engages their readers, the only difference is viewers are seeing those things played out by regular people like ourselves. According to Penn state communications professor S.Shyman Sundar the most appealing aspects of reality television is “ The power to make audience members feel like part of the action, viewers join the creative production; the experience feels less like simply watching television and more like being a part of a shared national project”. Like most reality shows, many viewers tend to pick and choose who their favorites or least favorite players are, based on the behavior of the participants. As the game progresses viewers tend to rally for the individual who’s ethical and moral odyssey results in winning the game this is accomplished not only by being a strategic player but also being a person who doesn’t cross to many unethical boundaries. While watching a show I look for what the average person might do to win, will they play in a way that makes the viewer route for them or hope for their quick departure. In a game where a participant could win a million dollars, many players put their own personal beliefs about how people should be treated aside; some will do anything by any means to win and in doing so could result in the loss of the million dollars. The reality-based show “Survivor” has been on the air since May, 2000. Millions of viewers from all age and backgrounds tune every week to watch sixteen people that have been dropped off in a desolate area to fend for themselves (Ryan). Viewers like myself watch not only beca... ... middle of paper ... ... ideas for this essay on Reality – Based television I found it hard to come up with a lot of examples on effects of people playing a moral and ethical game when the end result is the loss or win of a cash prize. I think overall the people participating in these types of shows may be good people who have to resort to unethical behavior or poor judgments. Since everyone lives by their own standards most people would agree their belief systems are similar to one another so being a participant really can test those beliefs. Works Cited Hicks, Jesse.S.Shyman Sandur.” Probing Question: Why do we love reality television? PENNState.Pen State University 24 Aug.2013. Web. 5 November 2013. Ryan, Maureen. “Why do we still watch ‘Survivor’ “Chicago Tribune. 1 Feb. 2006. Web. 2 November 2013. Shirley, Clayton. “Why we watch Survivor” Survivor Oz. n.d. Web. 5 November 2013

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