Ever since I can remember reality television has invaded our television screens with overall shenanigans. It all started off with the Real World on MTV in 1992. A show of “seven strangers...picked to live in a house...work together and have their lives taped..” The show skyrocketed to success (currently on it’s 23rd season) and left a legacy for many other shows to follow. AND THEY SURE DID. Fast-forward eighteen years later where reality TV dominates everything in television and entertainment - The Hills, The City, Survivor, American Idol, College Hill, Keeping up with the Kardashians, Flavor of Love, I Love New York, America’s next top model, and my personal favorite Jersey Shore.
What shocks me the most is the salary that these “reality stars” make per show. Lauren Conrad was making a whopping 75,000 dollars per episode by the time her last season came on The Hills.
MTV received a record high with 4.8 billion viewers for the Jersey Shore finale, surpassing the former number one show, The Hills. Now that is great publicity. MTV has offered the cast of Jersey Shore to return for a second season (smart choice MTV). What’s the catch? All of the original members are demanding 10,000 dollars per episode. You mean to tell me that all I have to do is fist pump my way through night clubs, tan, work out a lot, and act crazy on camera to get paid 10 grand a week? Sign me up.
It is completely astonishing to see the direction entertainment has taken. I am not mad at all at the fact that reality TV is dominating the world. To be honest, am one of those avid consumers of reality television, especially the Jersey Shore.
However, I know that creating a very successful television show is extremely difficult because not only do you have to be that “next creative reality show,” but, you also have to be able to please the public and do it well. To be honest, that is one of the hardest things to do. It just shocks me to see how people with absolutely no talent are getting paid astronomical prices for doing absolutely nothing. Maybe we should all just jump on this “become famous” band wagon.
This trend is no where near the end, I see it as a continuos growing monopoly for all consumers. Whether people are a fan or not, there is no doubt that reality television is the ring leader and saving many networks out there. The publicists that represent all these reality stars can’t really complain with there job right now.
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