While many Americans still rely upon the faulty "realities" of the evening news to catch their glimpse of real life, those who are seriously devoted to learning about life's everyday realities are turning to reality television. Reality television shows have swept all across America, leaving lasting impacts on all of their viewers" lives. Shows like Survivor, The Real World, Big Brother, and Fear Factor have left its" viewers in awe of how realistic a made for television show can actually be. All viewers of reality television shows can sit back after watching the show, and think, "When those people on Survivor were stuck out in the Australian outback, eating bugs and rice with fifteen total strangers, it reminded me exactly of my honeymoon last July!" Just from viewing a few of these classically innovative television shows, it is clear to see just how addicting they can be. These prime-time shows are clearly in touch with reality and therefore, reality based television shows accurately depict everyday people in everyday situations.
First, reality based television shows display accurate depictions of everyday life by placing its" characters in very realistic situations. Perhaps the most poignant example of this reality is on the hit-NBC television show, Fear Factor. On this show, host Joe Rogan leads six everyday people to face stunts that are very common everyday experiences, all in efforts to win $50,000. A few memorable titles of past stunts include: "Eat Rectum," "The Rat Pit," "Eat Buffalo Testicles," and "Fear Factor Martinis." Is it just me or do all or these stunts sound like a typical night out up at First Run? Even though these things sound quite outrageous, be assured that all of these stunts are real. On NBC's Fear Factor web site it says that all of the animal and insect parts used in the "gross" stunts are 100% real. If cooked, they are prepared by a professional chef and tested by Fear Factor staffers prior to being served to contestants.