By: Open Book
Today, reality T.V.is a favorite past time in America. Some say it began back in 1992 with a show called The Real World on MTV. But in fact, it began much earlier on PBS with a show called An American Family in 1973. The idea was the brainchild of a documentary film producer, Craig Gilbert in 1971. He believed Americans were tired of situational comedies about families, like The Brady Bunch, Father Know Best and Ozzie and Harriet and wanted to try something new. But it’s important to mention, in 1973, 100,000 Americans lost jobs due to a number of US car manufacturers closing plants.[1] Needless to say, when An American Family aired in 1973, the show was a major success making it one of the most watched shows on PBS and it lasted for 12 episodes.[2] So what does all this have to do with American actors loosing jobs to International actors? A lot!
Many famous film actors in America today started their careers on television. In fact, this year’s Oscar nominated actress Michele Williams started her career doing television. Williams got the most attention as an actor on Dawson Creek and let’s not forget, Jennifer Aniston on Friends, Leonardo DiCaprio on Growing Pains and George Clooney on E.R. All of them and many more have come up the ranks using television as a stepping-stone into film. Now, one can surmise by way of T.V. American actors not only honed there acting chops, but also their popularity. In the 1990’s before Twitter, Google, YouTube, Facebook and IMDb, the way actors demonstrated there was a demand for their craft was through T.V. and tabloids!!
In the olden days, a television show’s Nielsen ratings each week, was an indicator on how well (a film staring a television actor) might do in theaters. Yet, if you are apart of an ensemble cast like Friends or E.R. how does one stand out from the crowd? Oh! How about our friendly tabloid magazine? Tabloid media is big business in America and over-saturation was the way many up and coming actors tried to boost their popularity in the 90’s. Tabloid media, combined with high television ratings, was key in launching Jennifer Aniston’s film career.
Let’s revisit what impact Reality T.V. personalities has had on American actors jobs in Hollywood. America’s growing addiction to celebrity scandal today is a kissing cousin to reality T.V. Why? You could say the 1994 O.J. Simpson trial started the obsession when millions tuned in to watch O.J. stand trial for murder. Add to that, the 1989 police exploitation reality T.V. shows like COPS where low-income citizens and minorities were hunted down and handcuffed and carted off to jail, the show lasted 23 seasons. The mass consumption of these “real crime situations” caused reality T.V. and celebrity scandal media to explode. Therefore, setting the stage for reality and talk shows like Jerry Springer to become increasingly vulgar and exploitative of low-income individuals. The late 90’s and early 2000, were the years of making celebrities of “real people” under “real crisis situations” like socialite Paris Hilton who starred in the reality TV show The Simple Life, which again mocked Americans who worked and lived in rural areas away from the wealthy.
In light of the changing climate and Americas growing obsession with reality shows like Survivor, The Simple Life, The Bachelor and many more. Actors who use to rely on situational comedies and dramas to hone their craft began competing with “reality TV personalities” for jobs. Many believe American’s obsession with reality TV is due to the declining economy and middle class in America. In December 2010 issue of Psychology Today, Steven Reiss wrote an article called “Why America Loves Reality TV.” Reiss stated,…
“Reality TV allows Americans to fantasize about gaining status through automatic fame. Ordinary people can watch the shows, see people like themselves and imagine that they too could become celebrities by being on television……….”[3]
Is it possible the reason American film actors lack versatility and preparedness because they’ve been replaced with “reality TV personalities” who are not actors? In the past, television was the way actors honed their craft before moving into film. Today actors are being told they’re not “popular” or “authentic” enough to relate to the American public. We have allowed our rich culture and hard work ethic in America to be replaced with fantasies of automatic fame without doing the work. So much so, reality TV personalities are now trying to move into film as well. In fact, in a article it was reported Kim Kardashian star of the popular reality show” Keeping up with the Kardashian’s tweeted to James Cameron recently for a part in the next Avatar film.[4] Really? Perhaps “reality shows” are more fabricated than what we initially thought? This is supposedly the reason Joaquin Phoenix, as a hoax took a break from his Oscar award winning film career and decided to do a mockumentary I’m Still Here highlighting the influence of reality TV on American entertainment culture.
There is some light at the end. America has had a long period of unemployment, recession and let’s admit used reality TV as a pacifier during this period. Yet, now that the economy appears to be improving, Americans can see the negative impact reality TV and scandal media has had on our rich culture, creativity and values. Perhaps, Warner Brothers choosing another British actor to play an American iconic character like Superman, was the wake up call Americans needed to re-evaluate our cultural investments and work ethics in this country?
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Comic Relief
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Lurker
ozzie20
Open Book
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Welcome all first time or returning visitors! Anyone can join in on this discussion. If u have questions, disagree or would like to voice an opinion about this topic we welcome your participation!!
Aaahhh!!! I miss the discussions every freakin’ time!! I promise I am here and love reading the posts and comments. Thank you for doing this. 🙂
alright I’m marking the 18th discussion on my calendar.
We are glad u enjoy our site. Thank u!!
I’m curious after reading your article, how long a shelf-life this issue with Henry Cavill being cast as Superman will have?
The reason is that most Americans have a short attention span and move on.
Do you have any thoughts on that?
In regards to Cavill probably not long.LOL!! However, I think this quick overview mentality really does not help us develop critical thinking skills effectively. People are looking for quick solutions to problems without having to work to find out what may be the cause. I have read about 8 articles on this topic of International actors stealing jobs from American actors and none of them addressed reality TV or the economy as an issue. To me I think it’s eroding away our rich culture!!
“People looking for quick solutions…”
This is exactly the issue, few want to commit the time to look into an issue. They want the 60 sec sound byte.
Its going on across the board. Even this issue with twitter feeds into that mentality!
It makes me question if we are going to experience a true sea-change with reality TV or if this is just the hot issue?
I think reality TV is undergoing a change but I don’t think it’s for the better. It’s too soon to tell.
It would be nice if more professional actors and musicians started following the lead of Prince, where he recently kicked Kim K off his stage.
True professionals should stand up for their craft(s) and not permit the fame-whores access.
LOL!! U saw that did u?
I agree more artist need to stand up and say something like Prince did. That’s what Joaquin Phoenix tried to do with his “mockumentary” but it was poor timing and badly marketed. In the end he came off looking pretentious, when he meant well.
Ugh, I am so OVER reality TV and it’s crappy “actors”. Bleh! I want quality, not quantity.
I’m beginning to think Twitter is the devil.
Hi 4string!
Why do u say that?
I guess because it’s too easy to have things get nasty. People are comfortable to hide behind a degree of anonymity. People can get pushy and disrespectful in how they feel whether it’s about politics, an actor, music, etc. I deleted my old ‘fandom’ twitter but created a new one. I don’t think I’ll delete mine, but I’m on the verge of not bothering with it–basically having it inactive.
Well see u bring up some really good arguments that I absolutely agree with. I think as I said to Lurker up above, these quick sound bites of insults don’t really add to any earnest discourse about our culture or society. Yes! U can over analyze and obsess about anything but twitter does not help people control there impulses very well. Great point!!
I may not be the norm, but I try to treat anyone I interact with online the same as I would if they were in front of me. I firmly believe that you should treat others how you want to be treated, but that’s not exactly popular in a “Me First!” environment.
I absolutely concur with u there!!
I agree!
Right with you on that feeling!
I’m here.
Howdee!
Hola Ozzie!
Nice to see u!! Jump in would love to hear what u think!!
Sorry! This message was to Ozzie!! I also meant to say would like to read what u think. LOL!!
Do u think Reality T.V. has helped or hurt our ability to think critically about our culture, economy, art, politics and society?
I may need to answer this a bit differently than you asked it.
I think reality tv plays into our psychosis of ‘voyerism’ on some of the shows like ‘the kardashians’, ‘hogan knows best’ etc. IMO, I don’t see how they contribute to our society other than playing into this idea that is truly an extension of gossip and wondering how the other half lives.
I think it is harmful in that it robs us of the time we could be spending on ‘other’ more culturally enriching pursuits.
I think ‘reality’ TV has been ruined. I remember loving the very first Real World. Sadly, TRW became an STD swapping avenue with producers looking for the most volatile and freakiest people.
Do u think entertainment producers have taken advantage of Americans desire to escape there own reality in favor of exploiting dysfunctional behavior to make a buck?
Absolutely!
Even Queen Latifah was calling the Kardashians show her “Guilty Pleasure” during the recently awards show.
They know these shows are being used for that purpose.
It’s a possibility. It could be a situation of an average viewer being made to feel like they aren’t so bad in comparison to the train-wreck of a person they are watching Real Housewives, Real World, Jersey Shore, etc.
I completely agree.
Do u think there is a huge gap between producers and consumers today? In other words do u think producers disregard consumers intelligence or values in favor of making money?
I think you hit the nail on the head. It’s about appealing to the lowest common denominator. It’s the old journalism adage: if it bleeds, it leads. Freak shows get press coverage for better or for worse. As a journalism/media major, it makes me want to cry.
I know this is probably a diff discussion for a different day (your reference to consumers’ intelligence made this pop in my head), but the way people from different geographical regions of the US are treated irks me. I have lived in Georgia my whole life and if someone were to look at me, they probably would have no clue I hailed from the ‘Deep South’. My accent has faded quite a bit since moving to Atlanta. Sorry…I need to stop before I go on a rant about stereotypes. LOL Sadly, a stereotype or how a producer wants to present a certain group of folks is how the public at large presumes them.
Jersey Shore?
I’ve never watched it, but from what I understand, those folks are trainwrecks in the highest degree. A friend who’s originally from NJ watches it though she’s from south Jersey (which is totally different from northern end of the state from what she says).
Stereotyping people seems to be a huge problem not only with Reality TV, but films as well. How do u think American filmmakers should address this issue and still earn money?
Sadly, people still get stereotyped. I guess it comes down to people still want to be entertained. However, Kevin Smith’s lame Red State movie failed to incite the vitriol he hoped to incite & get financial backers. As someone from a ‘red state’ and a Christian, I (and I gather most like myself) see through the farce and yawn. It takes away his thunder.
Sorry, Kevin. Making fun of Christians or conservatives is old hat and not edgy. If anything, it’s the safe thing to do by Hollywood standards. /rant
I don’t think you necessarily have to avoid it. I think filmmakers need to be more focused on the material and who their target audience truly is. I think as we’ve become global consumers, the idea of the same type of film appealing to all markets is gone.
Perfect example is Tyler Perry’s now amassed fortune. His character Madea has made him plenty of money!
It’s impossible to avoid. However, if I know a filmmaker is out to insult me, my friends, or any specific group of people (I’d never see a movie that insulted Jewish people–not because it’s just wrong, but my college BFF is Jewish), I don’t want to give him/her my financial support. I think there’s a reason that Oliver Stone’s W bombed at the box office (whether you liked GWB or not). People don’t want to be preached to about politics & get sick of Hollywood pushing their views down others’ throats.
PS: I lurve Madea.
Madea is great. Tyler Perry is just the best. At least his stories have a message while being funny at the same time.
I admire Tyler Perry for doing it his way & still being successful.
That’s true. 🙂 He’s trying to tell people to respect themselves, IMO.
Amen, 4String! Society uses Hollywood as the voice of reason. We should vote this way or that way because that’s what HW says. Uuuhhh…no. That’s retarded.
I agree with 4string. I liked reality TV when it started but now i don’t. It only interests me if there is something you can learn from it. Unfortunately, there aren’t many shows like that. I think reality shows have ruined TV for me. We just got rid of Big Brother here, now it’s coming back on a different chanel. I’m sick of my favourite shows or ones that are of much better quility being removed for several weeks and replaced by a bunch of idiots dressed in ridiculous costumes, doing equally idiotic challenges to try to win a popularity contest.
LOL!!!
Ah. I’m trying to keep up here. I can still name all the peeps from the first Real World, but don’t ask me to name any others. Julie, Eric, Heather, Becky, Kevin, Norm, & Andre. 😉 I do know there was a Julie in New Orleans, but I only know that because it’s my name.
Oh they’re making a British version of Jersey Shore. Where is it going to be based? A city in my region! I nearly cried when I heard that. We’re already mocked in the UK, we don’t need the whole world to add to it! We’re more than a druken slutty mess. Some important people and history come from here!
Sorry for the rant!
I totally agree. I don’t want to know about people’s personal lives. What do you think of Guiliana and Bill? Have you seen it?
I have not seen either one. Would u care to elaborate?
BTW: How are u?
I’m great! Guiliana and Bill is a reality show based on the lives of Guiliana Rancic from E! and her husband Bill Rancic. He won the first Apprentice. Their show is based on their marriage and their struggle to conceive.
i have seen many episodes and sometimes I feel horrible because I feel like i’m sharing their most private personal moments with them. I don’t know. Maybe its just me but I could never put myself on t.v. in that manner unless I was truly going to help others with what I had to say.
I’ve not watched the show, but from seeing pictures of Guiliana, she gets thinner & thinner every time I see her. I think that could be part of her problem with conceiving. She was thin already, but she’s a toothpick which if she’s thrown her body into shock (just my guessing), it can make it harder.
PS: I say this as someone who was training for a marathon when she found out she was prego. 🙂 I didn’t get to do the NYC full marathon, but I did do a half marathon and 2 weeks later a 10 mile race. Not fun with sore ‘pregnancy’ boobs. Sorry for the TMI, but we’re all chicks here. 🙂
LOL that’s true. 🙂
That’s what i was thinking. Maybe her metabolism is really high.
But it shouldn’t get higher as she ages. Sadly, she is in the Hollywood entertainment biz which pressures women to look pre-pubescent thin. 😦 I’ve seen new actresses who look beautiful shrink away before my eyes & it makes me sad. There’s nothing sexy about a toothpick.
Before anyone (not anyone here commenting) says I’m just jealous… I’m just under 5′ 3″ and weigh under 110 pounds and am athletic. So, no, I’m not jealous of their bodies. It just makes me sad that these women feel they have to look stick thin. It’s diff if that’s your natural body type, but with Guiliana, I don’t think that’s the case.
PS: It seems I remember Courtney Thorne-Smith saying she would be a little heavier if she wasn’t on Ally McBeal. This was an interview in her Ally days. But I guess that’s a diff topic for a diff day.
I’ve seen Calista Flockhart in person and she is toothpick thin but then again so am i. so i can’t really talk to much.
I agree its very sad. I can’t remember the name of the model but she’s a “plus size” model. She did a shoot for a magazine and they photo shopped/airbrushed her down to a size 2. That’s just really sad.
If Marilyn was around today – they would have called her fat and run her off!
I remember that some magazine did that to Kate Winslet and she was POed majorly.
Parisienne, there’s a diff if you are naturally that way & if you feel pressured to be that way (which was Courtney’s or Portia de Rossi’s case).
See I don’t think there is anything wrong with Kate Winslet. I think she’s very pretty but didn’t they make some stink about her being “plus-sized” when she did Titanic?
Oh! Thank u for explaining!! I don’t know what to think about that? I mean with every show u need to have a climax and conclusion. For TV shows they have to stage these things to occur in an hour or thirty minutes. I’m sorry but real life does not operate on a hour or thirty minute schedule without it being manipulated or forced.
your welcome. 🙂
America’s second largest export is film, music, television and entertainment. Do u think because of this, Americans should be more aware of the world around them not just what matters to Americans?
Historically – films and tv were the main vehicle to export Americana. What America was about. Recall though that we’ve had a sea change around the globe with the availability of news, TV, internet, etc. The information about America, is no longer isolated to our portrayals in FILM.
International audiences – if we look at the Box office article from last week, aren’t interested in American genre films as much.
So yes, American film makers should consider that when picking stories to tell going forward.
Hi Everyone!
Sorry I’m late. Let me catch up. 🙂
I despise reality t.v. I don’t see the point in it. People will do or say anything to be on t.v.
BTW, i’ve been to Jerry Springer…those people are actors.
Yep, Jerry Spring is just entertainment. LOL Is that show still on? My hubby has a lot of fam in Chicago & I remember seeing parking for Jerry Springer, Jenny Jones and Oprah when we were looking for spots during one visit. LOL
PS: I can’t type tonight. You’ll have to forgive my type-os. 🙂
No, problem. It’s all about content and critical thinking tonight. No worries!!
Oh! I know Jerry Springer was a complete farce!!
LOL i know. Jerry is very nice though.
hahahahahahaha! And the WORST actors ever! Holy crap! I can’t remember which one of you just posted this, but I agree in that I would never have my family filmed. What goes on is our business and does not need to be bashed around the country. And yes, I do think a lot is staged, but still, I think it’s a little much. Gosh girls, I really don’t have many stimulating thoughts right now. Sorry. 😦
Do u think entertainment producers are trying to enlighten the American consumer about the world by hiring more international directors, writers and actors?
They are trying but I also think they know that international actors don’t mess around. They do their jobs, keep their mouths shut and leave.
In such a politically charged climate, I’d almost prefer to see a film by a foreign filmmaker who isn’t immersed in all of this.
Do u think it’s due to having a distinction and respect for work and their personal life?
yes. I don’t think foreign actors are all “look at me.” maybe some are but not as bad as americans, IMO.
How are you,Open Book? i forgot to ask you when I replied. lol
I agree!! I think they are able to balance their work and personal life better than American’s I think. No!!!
P.S. I’m doing very well thank u!!
It’s hard to say if one set is more ‘fame whore-ish’ than the other. They are all trying to survive in a majorly competitive industry. I’m American so I am not as familiar with the British or European press. A lot of these folks now rely on the paparazzi to survive and get an edge. In Hollywood, it’s sort of out of sight, out of mind.
I think they are looking for a wider scope of ideas and they aren’t finding it in the U.S. I wouldn’t necessarily point that to consumer enlightenment.
I think the U.S. movie consumer is fairly astute. Look at how well Inception did?
If anything, I think they are short changing the consumer with the same repetitive reboots.
I completely agree about Inception!! I think consumers can handle and like original works and complex subject matter. I agree having twenty different retellings of Superman or Spiderman is getting boring!!
Why do u think people like to see others in crisis situations for entertainment they still get huge ratings? Case in point Celebrity scandals etc…..
I guess it’s one of the reasons I don’t mind American Idol. It’s up front that these people are seeking fame and the ones who get past the initial screen process do have talent.
“They are the same as us”
“They might be famous but they have the same problems”
“Their mega money didn’t keep the immune from self destruction with drugs/alcohol/sex”
“proving that MONEY doesn’t solve all your problems”
So true!! So true!! Great responses
IMO, people like to see it because it helps them to think their life is better than that person. does that make sense? People think celebs have everything and then when they fall they become “human” again.
Do u think people use entertainment for social and cultural enrichment much more today then they have in the past?
I’ve been thinking about this one. This is tough.
I think across the board, music definitely has expanded over the years into social and cultural areas that were never considered.
On the other hand, traditional entertainment, symphony hall, operas, ballets, museums are all struggling to keep their doors open. The National Endowment for the Arts funds programs like these and is always up for cuts from the federal govt. That means that visitors aren’t providing enough to keep them afloat. So entertainment sources have shifted and I don’t know if I could say movies enrich ME as much as hearing the power of a live symphony or viewing art.
Sort of difficult to answer, and might be very subjective.
Well I think Europe has a greater appreciation for Theater, Art Museums, Symphonies and Opera than America. I think it’s because all these areas fail to connect with the average consumer in America regarding affordability, relatable content etc… and have only begun doing more outreach programs but it’s too late and poorly funded. Also, artist in Europe are more respected and supported than they are in the US. So this has been a big problem for the lack of cultural enrichment other than TV and film in this country.
I remember growing up going to symphonies and ballets all the time because they were so big. Now I try to find things to take my daughter to and it is very difficult to find. I want to expose my children to all avenues of the arts but it is becoming increasingly difficult to do.
This is a really big issue, in terms of other art forms not being as easily attainable as they once were due to numerous reasons. Also, u have film studios like Disney taking over Broadway Theater. For example, Spiderman the musical on Broadway which recently opened and bombed. Then, the Legally Blonde film was made into a Broadway musical as well. So Broadway Theater is replicating big box office films to stay solvent. Where it use to be the other way around in this country. This is a whole other topic up for discussion. Wish we could have discussed this more. Great post!!
Well everyone,
I’m going to finish up in about five minutes. But u are welcome to continue on the discussion. Some very great discourse going on tonight!!
I’m off too. I have to be up early tomorrow, plus I’m really tired and I’m sure I’m making no sense at all! 🙂
I’m going to go for the night as well. It was fun talking to everyone!
Night night. I’m off of here soon too.
It’s hard to say if one set (Brits vs. Americans) is more ‘fame whore-ish’ than the other. They are all trying to survive in a majorly competitive industry. I’m American so I am not as familiar with the British or European press. A lot of these folks now rely on the paparazzi to survive and get an edge. In Hollywood, it’s sort of out of sight, out of mind.
Goodnight everyone!!
Thank U!!
i love it