Popular Culture and the Media

Running Head : POPULAR CULTURE

Popular Culture and the Media

By Chandrakant Mallya

Popular Culture and the Media

Introduction

Reality television is a genre of television programming which presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations , documents actual events , and features ordinary people instead of professional actors (Reality Television , 2007

At the outset , it is pertinent to state that the Reality TV Genre has moved far from reality . From the original concept of entertainment , it has shifted , without exception , to the cut-throat business reality . The audiences are taken for a

ride . Children and the youth are the main targets , as the shows have something that appeals to their emotions . It is a pathetic sight to observe them sitting glued before the TV screens and think that they too can make a life-time career in one of these Reality shows . Let us try to understand the merits /demerits of some of these reality shows

The difference between most of the Reality shows and the genuine entertainment TV shows is the one between the Junk food and the natural food ! The former is a burden to the digestive tracks , harmful to the system , creator of new types of diseases and what not ! The latter is good for the mind and the body

You must have read or heard about these two magazines , Men Only and Women Only . Women will be curious to read the Men Only magazine . Men will be anxious about the contents of Women Only magazine ! Similarly children and youth are fascinated about the non-reality in the reality shows

Fear Factor

As already stated , most of the Reality shows are far from reality , and majority of them appeal to the baser instincts of human beings . Fear Factor has a gone a step further . It appeals to the demonic traits . The legal aspect of such perverted shows for public for broadcast is another important question . The Fear Factor show is just like nicotine addiction , or drug addiction

Fear Factor Live , popularly known as Fear Factor , is a stunt show Volunteers are drawn from the public . Five shows are held everyday at the Universal Studios Tours . Everyone thinks that he will get the chance , to participate . Each and every molecule of the body is surcharged with some strange passion . The interest generated within is comparable to the gambling habit or participation in the horse race ! The feeling that one is going to win , if not today , tomorrow ! If not tomorrow , the day after .till one arrives at the brink of the precipice ! Everything is lost

Fear Factor is a highly risky show , the organizers know it well and therefore the participants are required to sign the liability form through which they seek legal safety . Killing Tigers and wild beasts in the thick jungle is considered as an act of bravery . Here , you eat insects and bugs . The Organizers have arranged a surcharged audience to cheer up the participants , with some prize schemes or free lunch and snacks

All dramatic elements are created and stage...