Today we find ourselves seeking more then we have ever had before. We seek excitement and entertainment that is lacking from our own lives. This is why America sits and watches the world from inside their home. A world that the television says is real. A world that is full of excitement and pleasure. Is this and honest picture of what is really out there? Is what we see on reality television really "real?" As the world tone turns both more serious and more superficial, perhaps as people search for an avenue of escape, a new sub-genre of reality programming has emerged. We must take into consideration how "reality" television provokes our thoughts of true reality and influences our culture into unrealistic norms. These norms are ones that our youth are adapting to and accepting. Television is painting them a picture that may look beautiful, fun and exciting, but really is just a fake. .
People turn to television to fill a gap that they are missing in their lives. However, our media only puts that gap there. Reality television has changed the way we watch TV forever. Stacey Lynn Koerneer, VP of broadcast research at True North Communications" TN Media, states that "It's the one kind of programming that's new and fresh" She goes on to say "Look at today's TV programs vs. those of 10 or 20 years ago. Audiences no longer tune in to "lowest common denominator programming"" (Koerneer, 2001). Producers all over the country are saying these same things. They have removed shows that have good moral messages and replaced them with what they call "reality" No scripts, no acting, all real. These shows are created to get us hooked, to hold our attention. Ian Buchanan states that "Reality TV should be sufficient to alert us that it is what de Certeau calls a "black sun", that is, something which however much it warms us and makes us feel good inside is actuality sheds no light" (Buchman, 2001).