Everyone's done things that they're not proud of, but most haven't shared those moments with the nation. Whether it's performing bizarre stunts, drinking and partying, or other personal moments, reality television stars share their experiences, both bad and good, with a large audience of parents, friends and complete strangers.
But what sounds like a bad dream to some is a chance at stardom for others. A stint on television isn't bad publicity for any hopeful celebrity, and the ever-increasing popularity of reality programming confirms the fact that people are willing to do almost anything.
Premiering on Tuesday, MTV will begin another season of their hit television show "The Real World," one of the most popular reality programs for the college-age range. This season will show all the hookups, breakups, fights, drinking binges, and all-out MTV style drama of seven young people cohabitating in Key West for six months.
Although the show has been on air for 17 years, the 30-minute reality show continuously attracts young, attractive, and ready-for-anything cast members to explore various cities around the world with cameras in their faces 24 hours a day, no matter what is going on.
Patrice Francois, a theater major, enjoys "The Real World" not only because she finds it the most interesting reality show available, but also because it deals with many issues that are relevant to what she and her friends are going through in life.
"It let's you see how others react," she said.
Francois added that she herself would be open to the idea of being a cast member on the show, despite the risk of embarrassing herself.
Roy Roussel, professor and interim chair in the media studies department, said that many reality television shows, including "The Real World," are based on fallacy.
"Look at American Idol, it encourages a fantasy," he said. "The shows are misleading and it feeds people the idea that becoming a celebrity on these shows is a viable option for life."
While some shows are clearly just weak attempts to boost ratings, Roussel said that other programs have the potential to be educational. It's just a matter of choosing wisely.
"My kids watch dating shows and they pick up dating tips from them," Roussel said. "There is an instructional value in these shows but at the same time, they are fabricated."
Roussel also said that these shows banish the idea of drama and the art of acting.
"Rather than identifying with classic dramatic television, we are given a reality show," he said.
James King, a senior business and psychology major, said he would come to an open casting call for a reality television show if they ever had one on UB's campus. King said he knows drama is needed to keep the shows up and running, providing the entertainment necessary to attract a large number of viewers.
"I guess I could create drama. Even though I don't like it, I could create," he said.
In fact, the "The Real World" was originally MTV's unique alternative to the average American soap opera, which cost too much for the cable network to produce. Instead of spending money to incorporate writers, scripts, actors, and sets, the network placed seven strangers in a house in SoHo, a stylish Manhattan neighborhood, filmed them living together, edited the best parts, and called it quits.
It seems to have worked out quite well, especially in MTV's targeted young adult market. In a recent survey posted on www.pollingpoint.com, the 18- to 25-year-old demographic has the highest reality television viewing rate; the average person in this range watches over three reality shows per week.
Despite this fact, Robert Knopf, a professor and chair of the theatre and dance department said he doesn't think the current reality television craze will continue to stay strong.
"I'm seeing that reality television is seeing the end of its line with a lot of new shows that are dramatic and are like films, like Grey's Anatomy," Knopf said. "I think we'll see a lot more of these types of shows taking the place of these reality television shows."
Roussel on the other had said the reality genre will never go out of style.
"They address the issues of today," Roussel said. "They are also so cheap to produce, they'll be around for years."
Blue shirt/black tie:
Jonathan Raszeja
Sophomore
Art
"I have never watched any reality TV. It just never looked interesting to me."
Red Adidas zip up:
Billy Olewniczak
Freshman
PSY/History
"Survivor could be big because everyone else watches it."
Black jacket:
Joyce Mixson
Sophomore
PSY
"I don't think reality TV is real anymore. It seems as though everything has a script. I do believe that the Real World is the most popular with college students because they can relate to some of the same issues."
Black leather jacket:
Shenil Kaitharath
Freshman
Mechanical Engineering
"I believe the Fear Factor TV show is watched the most. It is more challenging and people feel that some of the things on the shows are disgusting."
White shirt:
Laura Labert
Freshman
COM
"I love the Real World. It relates to college students by everything that goes on such as drinking issues, how to deal with different ethnicities, and random hook ups with other people."
White sweatshirt:
Graham Woodring
Junior
Electrical Engineering
"To be honest, I don't really watch reality TV. If I were to pick a show, I'd say the first few episodes of American Idol because most people tend to make fools of themselves and it's really funny."
