Page 183 - A Handbook Genre Studies in Mass Media

CHAPTER 6

and American Idol use celebrity judges who decide who will become “the
next big thing.” Moreover, these shows convey the message that those
“higher up” have the right to cut down those who are below them.
On UPN’s hit show America’s Next Top Model, Tyra Banks and her
panel decide which young lady is not “couture” enough to make it as a
high-fashion model. Each week as Tyra makes her cut, she either con-
structively criticizes these women on what they could have done better
or (as in most cases) tears them to shreds. She openly exposes their every
weakness and flaw, humiliating them, and then simply says, “Thank you,
you’re done here.” Also, on American Idol Simon Cowell is known and
praised for his unfiltered brutal truth, taking personal stabs at contestants
he does not deem worthy of the title.
Ironically, when the contestants try to challenge these “upper hands”
and question their power, the results are disastrous. On an episode of
America’s Next Top Model, Tyra Banks completely lost it when aspiring
model Brandy laughed at the critique she was given. Tyra was irate and
yelled at Brandy for laughing and disagreeing with their “professional
judgment.” She jumped from her seat and got right in Brandy’s face,
telling her how unprofessional and ungrateful she was being. Eventu-
ally Brandy broke down and cried, apologizing and begging for another
chance. In the end, power prevailed over second chances, and Brandy
was sent home.
Also, on MTV’s Making the Band, Sean “Puffy” Combs spends the
majority of time belittling the girls and making sure they know everything
they do wrong. In return, the girls must respect his authority and opinion.
These programs convey the message that power, money, and status allow
one to treat people however one chooses, but in return those in charge
must receive the utmost respect.

Conclusion. Fame, fashion, fortune, and the “fortunates” are the ideals
that make up the worldview of reality television. Appearance, status, and
well-renowned success reflect its values. Being the biggest, the boldest,
and the best reinforces our culture’s idea of who we should be. Those
who fail to meet these standards are “cut,” “fired,” or told “don’t call us,
we’ll call you.” You are sent home, unable to make it in the unsacred,
souless, materialistic world of reality TV.

Meredith Wurm is an undergraduate student at Webster University
majoring in Media Literacy.

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