REALITY TV

July 2000
		What's behind the increasing popularity of "reality TV"? Robert Thompson, head of the Center for the Study of Popular Television at Syracuse University and Frank Farley, past president of the American Psychological Association, who teaches now at Temple University, take your questions.

Forum introduction Are just we trying to learn more about people by watching reality TV? Is there an age bias in this type of programming? Why would people want to be exposed this way? Will cross-promotion of reality programming on news shows hurt the news? Does TV production take away from the "reality" of this kind of programming? Could this type of TV lead to other, less acceptable forms of voyeurism?     July 5, 2000: A discussion on the rise of reality TV. Browse the NewsHour's coverage of media issues.

James Henry Maiweski of South Deerfield, Mass. asks: The proliferation of surveillance technology has for some time fed the needs of voyeurs. We would do well to consider "Reality TV" akin to a gateway drug. Do you think it's possible that some of those hooked on the 'over-the-counter reality TV' could cross into less acceptable -- and possibly illegal -- forms of voyeurism?   Frank Farley responds: I think it's possible. These shows may move us further down the slippery slope toward less and less privacy and more and more of our private psychological life being rendered public, the exteriorization of our inner life, which will be a major theme of the 21st century. Many factors are contributory. The Jerry Springer type of programming, Internet snooping and surveillance, tabloids and other exposure media. The idea that it's okay to let it all hang out, to let your strongest personal emotions go public, to express yourself without inhibition, may even be a factor in the high levels of anger, expression and rage we see in our society.   Robert Thompson responds: For most of the millions who watch this stuff, I think it's probably pretty harmless. They do worse when they listen in on someone's conversation on the bus, or take a peek into their party host's medicine cabinet. There is probably a small population, however, for whom a desire for this kind of material becomes more obsessive. The Internet is, and will probably continue to be, the medium of choice for this less savory form of voyeuristic material. It's interesting to compare the ratings of "Survivor" and "Big Brother" with your question in mind. "Survivor," as the more edited, cleaned-up program is the highest-rated show in America. "Big Brother," which is a little more "hard-core" as far as voyeurism is concerned, is struggling to keep an audience. For most people, it seems, the closer we get to true voyeurism, the more bored we become. I know there are days in my life that not one thing I do in an entire twenty-four hour period would make anything close to compelling viewing. Peeping Tom, unless he knows exactly the right time to look, is more likely to encounter Lady Godiva in a bathrobe brushing her teeth than riding down the street naked. By the way, I loved your phrase "over-the-counter reality TV"!!