The Politics Of Reality T.V.

I have always known that television has had a major impact on our society, especially reality T.V. shows. However, I often felt that T.V. icons would exploit bad situation in order to improve their image and fame. The article on, T.V. Interventions: Personal Responsibility and Techniques of the Self, has completely changed my view point on some of these programs on television.

According to the article, the popularity of reality TV began to increase in the late 1990’s, since then celebrities, such as, Dr. Phil have established foundations and programs that are better equipped, willing , and capable of providing better support for people in need than our government. For instance, after Hurricane Katrina, the people in the communities were devastated, angry and fearful. Because organizations, such as, FEMA, were not proactive enough for displaced citizens, Dr. Phil used his influences to encourage volunteerism and raising relief funds through his nonprofit Dr. Phil Foundation. This foundation gave the victims of Hurricane Katrina a chance to work through the psychological trauma of such a tragic event. Dr. Phil has offered to have victims of Hurricane Katrina appear on his TV show.

Since these events, Dr. Phil and other influential people have started Life Intervention Programs. According to the article the term “ Life Intervention, is a way to mobilize professional motivators and lifestyle experts, from financial advisors to life couches, to help people overcome hurdles in their personal, professional, and domestic lives. This Life Intervention movement has become a national phenomena and has spawned an array of TV programs that are focused on resolving specific problems. For Example, (Supernanny) has helped parents raise their children and addiction (Intervention). These types of shows have integrated neoliberal logic in order to help regulate and improve individuals lives.

Most of these Reality TV shows could be considered a form of media consolidation, since most of the Celebrities that have TV programs have teamed up with numerous media companies to produce interactive websites, tie-in merchandise, books, DVDs and workbook exercises. All of these aspects can be tied in to the public sphere and the need to help people in our society that need help, as well as to motivate the general public to feel compassion for those who are suffering.