Page 178 - A Handbook Genre Studies in Mass Media
P. 178

IDEOLOGICAL APPROACH

                  redeeming celebrity lives, homemakers, personal makeovers, mommy
                  switches, wife swaps, marrying a millionaire, being tricked to think you
                  are marrying a millionaire, dating a Hooters girl, dating five girls at once,
                  competing in dangerous stunts for money, competing to work for Donald
                  Trump, becoming the next big pop star, becoming the next top model,
                  or becoming a well-known name in America.
                    Reality television is a major cultural phenomenon and exploits the de-
                                      57
                  sires of average people.  Reality TV allows everyday people their chance
                  at fortune, fashion, and fame. Everyday people can become celebrities,
                  and celebrities can be made to look foolish. Reality TV allows the audi-
                  ence to participate and choose whom they want to stay on a show. We
                  can watch the private lives of others without being seen. These shows
                  make the audience laugh, cry, love, and hate. More important, reality
                  television provides insight into the belief system or ideas that define the
                  thinking and behaviors in our culture.

                  Analysis: The Beliefs

                  Celebrities: The “Fortunates.” Our culture is obsessed with celebrities.
                                                                               58
                  We want to know about them, become like them, or be with them.
                  Shows such as The Newlyweds, The Osbournes, Run’s House, and Meet
                  the Barkers are great examples of our culture’s fascination at knowing
                  what celebrities do on their “down time.”
                    The Newlyweds featured pop musicians Jessica Simpson and Nick
                  Lacah as they embarked on their journey and life as a married couple.
                  The audience was able to watch as the couple encountered relationship
                  problems, bought their first house, celebrated the holidays, managed their
                  careers, and adjusted to married life. Run’s House and The Osbournes
                  (both MTV) allow viewers to watch the absurd but luxurious lives ce-
                  lebrity families lead.
                    Although these shows provide a glimpse into the lives of our beloved
                  stars, they also convey messages about fame, success, and status. All of
                  the stars live in lavish houses, drive fancy cars, and have an abundance of
                  designer clothes and a plethora of extra cash. Their fancy dinners, exotic
                  trips, elaborate gifts, and material possessions are vital to the status of
                  their life and in part define who they are. Audiences (whose lives are less
                  than elaborate compared to these celebrities) are conveyed the message
                  that “money can buy happiness” and in this culture, material possessions
                  are portrayed as having an important, meaningful value.

                                               163
   173   174   175   176   177   178   179   180   181   182   183