American reality television chooses ratings over human integrity and safety
Danielle Frownfelter, Class of 2008
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Opinion
Reality television is setting an ugly standard for human behavior.
Whether or not anyone actually likes reality shows, their steady lineup on prime time makes them hard to avoid when watching television. Usually, the shows are worthy of no more than a roll of the eyes or a laugh at the absurd antics.
And let's be honest - the lame scripting and "true-to-life" situations come across as the farthest thing from reality. Supposedly, the cameras and directors are just noise in the background while the 'subjects' engage in their regular activities, but we can all tell when the crew or writers step in to move the scene along.
Yet, the other night, I watched in disbelief as police pulled over reality TV star Khloe Kardashian during her show "Keeping Up With the Kardashians." Kardashian had been drinking heavily in a club and hopped right into her car to go home without a second thought. The camera crew simply jumped into a car behind her and continued filming, and Kardashian was pulled over by the police shortly afterward.
Several questions ran through my head. Why didn't the crew stop her? Where were the friends who had accompanied her? What if she had been in an accident? What if she had killed someone?
But more importantly, I had a question for all the viewers who most likely never considered any reality show repercussions.
If you were filming this woman, would you have let her drive away drunk?
The disclaimer before the show said certain scenes were reenacted. Apparently, the producers did not feel it was necessary to specify which scenes, leaving me to wonder if they were simply protecting their assets from the likes of AA or MADD.
Recreated or not, however, the decision to film Kardashian instead of intervening made quite the statement.
On a small scale, the crew, director, writers and producers sent a memo to the viewers saying it was okay to drink and drive. On a larger scale, they showed how driving under the influence makes for good television. And on a universal scale, they implied that we are under no obligation to help out anyone at any time.
The Good Samaritan law encourages people to help out strangers who need assistance. It does not, however, require a witness to assist a victim. That particular feat is left to our own discretion, taking into consideration situations where aiding a victim may cause injury to the helper.
Yet, preventing Kardashian from driving would not have caused any injury to the crew. The show might not have, however, earned high ratings. It might not have generated any controversy, and Kardashian would have been free from a DUI.
I do not know where the line of human integrity was blurred with television ratings. So I can only ask for everyone to imagine watching a stranger stumble into the driver's seat of a car.
Would you help? Or would you walk away?
Whether or not anyone actually likes reality shows, their steady lineup on prime time makes them hard to avoid when watching television. Usually, the shows are worthy of no more than a roll of the eyes or a laugh at the absurd antics.
And let's be honest - the lame scripting and "true-to-life" situations come across as the farthest thing from reality. Supposedly, the cameras and directors are just noise in the background while the 'subjects' engage in their regular activities, but we can all tell when the crew or writers step in to move the scene along.
Yet, the other night, I watched in disbelief as police pulled over reality TV star Khloe Kardashian during her show "Keeping Up With the Kardashians." Kardashian had been drinking heavily in a club and hopped right into her car to go home without a second thought. The camera crew simply jumped into a car behind her and continued filming, and Kardashian was pulled over by the police shortly afterward.
Several questions ran through my head. Why didn't the crew stop her? Where were the friends who had accompanied her? What if she had been in an accident? What if she had killed someone?
But more importantly, I had a question for all the viewers who most likely never considered any reality show repercussions.
If you were filming this woman, would you have let her drive away drunk?
The disclaimer before the show said certain scenes were reenacted. Apparently, the producers did not feel it was necessary to specify which scenes, leaving me to wonder if they were simply protecting their assets from the likes of AA or MADD.
Recreated or not, however, the decision to film Kardashian instead of intervening made quite the statement.
On a small scale, the crew, director, writers and producers sent a memo to the viewers saying it was okay to drink and drive. On a larger scale, they showed how driving under the influence makes for good television. And on a universal scale, they implied that we are under no obligation to help out anyone at any time.
The Good Samaritan law encourages people to help out strangers who need assistance. It does not, however, require a witness to assist a victim. That particular feat is left to our own discretion, taking into consideration situations where aiding a victim may cause injury to the helper.
Yet, preventing Kardashian from driving would not have caused any injury to the crew. The show might not have, however, earned high ratings. It might not have generated any controversy, and Kardashian would have been free from a DUI.
I do not know where the line of human integrity was blurred with television ratings. So I can only ask for everyone to imagine watching a stranger stumble into the driver's seat of a car.
Would you help? Or would you walk away?
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Art Frownfelter
posted 3/30/08 @ 7:05 PM EST
Nice Job, Dani.......... love ya.
Steve Bowers
posted 3/31/08 @ 10:38 AM EST
Very insightful and I'm glad someone has the nerve to stand up and tell the public what is really happening to our television viewing. This article just goes to tell us that "reality" shows will do anything for ratings. (Continued…)
Rusty Shackleford
posted 3/31/08 @ 1:06 PM EST
I agree. Reality TV has come a long way from the simpler days of COPS and Survivor. It really makes you wonder when a producer stops caring about ratings and starts caring about another human being. (Continued…)
Truman Ford
posted 3/31/08 @ 6:16 PM EST
Very good artical Dani. Reality TV is sending the wrong message.
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