Page 180 - A Handbook Genre Studies in Mass Media

IDEOLOGICAL APPROACH

to cook something on her own, instead of relying on their live-in maid.
After poor attempts to make a burrito, she cries, curses, and calls daddy
to complain that she cannot even cook for herself. In the end though she
must not be too distraught over her failed burrito because she instead
takes the “high road” and goes where she can get a burrito just how she
wants it—a restaurant.
In another episode, Allie makes snide remarks about her friend Jamie
attending college and claims she does not need college because “she’s
already in the fashion business.” Yes, when your father does own Tommy
Hilfiger you do have an advantage in the fashion industry. Allie’s com-
ments suggest the idea that education is not a valuable asset and has no
importance in one’s future. Though this may be true for Allie, the viewers
usually do not have this “upper hand” (as she does). Her view suggests
that hard work and education have no value or importance because wealth
makes people superior.
Reality shows also reinforce the belief that who we are is not enough,
and we must strive to be something bigger and better. For example,
consider the name of several reality shows: America’s Next Top Model,
American Idol, The Starlet, Nashville Star, and Made. All of these titles
reflect becoming something like a god or deity to be worshiped by the
public. The values within these reality shows are not about who you
are, but what you are. In this case, it is about being at the peak of our
society’s status mountain.

Appearance: Looks Are Everything. When in comes to reality, looks
and appearance are everything. Reality TV is not about depth, but
surfaces; not about invisible qualities, but visible attributes. We are
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obsessed with our appearance and in today’s world what we do not like,
we can change with help from stylists, plastic surgeons, fashion experts,
nutritionists, and trainers.
Shows such as Extreme Makeover or I Want a Famous Face give us the
chance to change our physical features, and the whole world can watch
as we do so. Sadly enough, one female believed that if she went “under
the knife” and was reconstructed to look like Brooke Burke on I Want
a Famous Face she would feel better about herself, and be more confi-
dent as a person. However, this was not the case. She was disappointed
with the results of her surgery and turned to drugs and alcohol to cope.
It was not until she received emotional help and guidance and became
active in her youth group that she found the happiness and confidence

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