Home » Categories » Entertainment » Television » The Truth about Reality TV- not quite as REAL as you imagine!

Posted Friday, April 04, 2008
View All Blog Posts submitted by Creative

Many moons ago (approx 1996-97) some Reality TV Producers came to a Zoo where I was a student. I was doing a 2yr animal care course at the time, and my class was very fortunate to be situated within a zoo, so we had ample opportunity to study animals, animal management and their housing etc first hand. I believe this was the first year such a program (with on site classes) was facilitated.

 

The Producers wanted to make a reality TV show about the Zoo Keepers and students and expressed an interest in me and a few friends of mine. I didn't want to be part of it though as I felt I would not have been reflected well at that time. I had the feeling the Producers of these type of shows 'pick their hero's, fool's and sex kittens' much like they pick a cast for a play.

 

I was worried I'd be cast as the 'fool'! I wasn't quite as keen an animal student as I perhaps should have been, though on paper I did rather well. It was the practical I wasn't so good at. I never had much of an affinity with animal poo and treated it like the enemy, approaching with extreme caution and was ready to run at any moment.

 

The Producers went ahead with their program without me and I watched with interest when it finally aired. I was surprised at just how much was clearly contrived. It was disappointing, because up to that point, I believed what reality TV was claiming to be selling, ie: REALITY. It doesn't quite work out like that though and it's not just down to clever editing. Characters are chosen, scenes are set up, manipulated and drama and tension is created when really there might have been none.

 

I guess I woke up to the reality of reality TV.

 

Bear this in mind when enjoying your favorite reality TV show, take it with a pinch of salt and enjoy for what it is, entertainment.

 

You can read more from me on my home page HERE. Two great eBooks to give away for a limited period only!