Jan 27 2008
How reality shows improve our lives
We have a spare bedroom that we are presently using as a computer room. I suppose in about nine months, it will be converted into the baby’s room. But, oh, the daunting task ahead. The room serves as a workout area/study/storage. The stuff has to go somewhere. But where?
I have the TLC show Clean Sweep on my DVR and I watch it from time to time. After viewing an episode, I find myself peering at my surroundings with a critical eye and I get an overwhelming desire to make “sell”, “toss,” and “keep” piles. The only problem is that I don’t have the luxury of a personal organizer and carpenter at my disposal to design space-efficient storage units for me. Also, since I live in a townhouse, I am lacking a vital component to a good garage sale: a garage. So, instead of a “sell” pile, I have a “donate” pile. We still have a long way to go, but I’m whittling away at it.
Aside from the entertainment value, I realize that we watch reality shows to make us feel better about ourselves in some way. Shows like Clean Sweep puffs me up by allowing me to say, “heck, at least my house isn’t that bad!” We relate to reality shows and compare our state of affairs to the folks on the show, who sacrifice their privacy and pride in exchange for free stuff, money, or an improved lifestyle. I sometimes wonder if I could be convinced to make such a trade.
In addition to improving our self esteem, certain reality shows can spur us to action and inspire us to make improvements in our lives. Whether it’s de-cluttering your living room, staging your house for sale, or simply learning how to dress more professionally, reality shows tell us that even average Joes like us can do it.
I’m not sure how this entry ended up making me an advocate for reality shows, but perhaps it’s because I spent the entire day watching TLC and the Discovery Channel in my pajamas. Unfortunately, nearly an entire weekend of downtime still didn’t banish this cold, but at least it’s not getting worse.
A 30-something Christian girl, blissfully wedded to her perfect match (the yang to her yin) of 14 years. Living life in Hawaii, less than 5 miles from her hometown, a slave to her mortgage payment, but seeking balance in her pursuit of family, faith, recreation, and rest.
There are certain reality shows I’m fond of too, for reasons similar to yours. However, there is a downside (as there is to everything, I guess): Reality programming is turning humiliation into our nation’s pastime. And then there’s the flipside of that same coin: A new value seems to be arising, and it covets fame at almost any price, and it doesn’t demand fame for a good reason. Fame for any reason at all is apparently just fine by this new American value.
With that is coming a certain immodesty that I definitely do not agree with. While I am in favor of having open, intelligent discussion of our problems, when the discussion becomes a vicarious thrill for someone else’s cheap enjoyment, I feel uneasy. People with eating disorders should feel comfortable enough to share their problems with others, but when the sharing turns into exhibitionism, well, I’m not sure what that means. I just know it makes me wonder what ever happened to discretion.
@mitchell: Point taken. I suppose the reality programs that I’ve been watching lately are more likely to humiliate a person because of their inability to choose a decent outfit or keep a neat and tidy home. Much lighter than the scenario you described. As for those with actual medical or emotional issues, I don’t think should be taken so lightly. Sometimes I think shows of that sort (like Intervention — which I have not yet seen myself) can educate viewers and show the downsides to self-destructive lifestyles and choices in hopes of deterring others from doing the same.
did you see the episode of clean sweep where the mom is so unhappy with the end result and she just wants all her old mess back? that was hard to watch. but i wish i could get someone to help me organize too.
good luck with converting your room…we had to turn our “storage” room into the baby’s room and i’m still dealing with stuff that was displaced. there’s just never enough space.
@mars: Oh, my goodness. I didn’t see that episode. You would never think anyone would want their old mess back! As far as finding a home for the displaced stuff, that’s the hard part. I refuse to pay for public storage, so I have a feeling I’ll be donating a lot of stuff.
I think I seen that one as well…i think was only the mother and daughter…