James Poniewozik, “Reality TV at 10: How It’s Changed Television †and Us” Essay

sincereity programs bear be dual-lane into two large categories competitions (such as American Idol) and voyeuristic razets (such as Real Housewives). The reality television phenomenon is part of a larger societal slip of paper in terms of privacy and self-expression. For a select few, reality shows make water forgetn them significant real-life opportunities. Reality programs contain qualities that can be denominate American. The best and worst of reality television shows contain aspirational and democratic qualities. They give the common man a chance in the spot light.They can also revolve around issues, such as job ecstasy and security, which are of topical concern to many Americans. Part 2 The assimilate to it of watching the mental picture of the Susan Boyles first appearance on Britains Got Talent illustrates very(prenominal) clearly one of Steven Johnsons arguments in his name Watching TV Makes You Smarter When we watch these shows, the part of our brain that monit ors the emotional lives of the battalion around us the part that tracks subtle shifts in intonation and gesticulate and facial expression scrutinizes the action on the screen sounding for clues. We see very clearly Simon Cowells eye-rolling at 30, in response to Boyles announcement that she is 47 years old. After Boyle announces that her dream is to be a professional singer, thither is a cut to a young adult female in the listening who smirks and rolls her eyes. When Boyle remarks that she wants to be as successful as Elaine Page, there is another cut to the audience to show their disbelief. All of this occurs before Boyle even begins to sing. The audience and the judges, through their facial expressions, have clearly indicated that they believe Boyle to be delusional.As before long as Boyle opens her mouth, cameras focus on the judges childlike eyes and the microphones pick up the audiences wild cheers. The commentator echoes the audiences initial impressions you didnt exp ect that did you. This sentiment is directly addressed by the judges in their commentary Boyle is referred to as the biggest surprise in the shows history. Cowells comments are filled with irony he says that he knew as soon as he saw Boyle that he was in for something extraordinary. Watching this video at a later date is instructive.Now, there are very few people who do not know of Susan Boyle and her story. However, in looking at this video from her first appearance on the show, we know that her phonate is going to be amazing. With all of the benefits of hindsight, we can observe closely the audiences and judges first reactions to this middle-aged woman in get of a makeover (by the standards of reality television). We can engage our cognitive processes, as Johnson argues, in order to analyze more closely how we can be deceived by our first impressions of reality show personalities.