I have never actually watched Survivor the whole way through until I watched the episode today on the internet. And I actually really liked it.
I think there is some truth in the statement that Alexis made, but she also did not take into consideration all of the things that were not shown on the TV show in past episodes. They pick out certain aspects, the most interesting obviously, to put on the show. But the hour episode that we watch does not give us a full picture of everything that has gone on, and cannot even give us a full idea of someone’s personality. Therefore, although the fans might have an advantage because they think they know the favorites game, they don't know everything by any means.
The statement Alexis made shows a view that many people watching reality TV probably think. While we’re watching we don’t take into consideration all of the video footage we do not see. I think in some instances it is ok to just watch a TV for the fun of it without but sometimes it is necessary or unavoidable for us to analyze what we are watching, so that we do not have a skewed view of reality.
3 comments:
I am in agreement with you on the fact that they pick out what they want to make a show seem appealing. Also that we do not see what is going on behind the scenes when the camera is off.
Your comment about how there may be many people who probably do not analyze what they are watching is a comment I agree with and find interesting to think about. What is so interesting to think about is how scary it is that many people may be completely media illiterate. It is scary because it means the media has control over them, and it finally makes one acknowledge just how powerful and persuasive the media is. As Neil Postman's book title states, the media, especially television, may be so powerful that people are "amusing themselves to death."
I like what you had to say about watching TV without having to over-analyze everything. Althought it is important to watch shows intently and watch out for media messages, it's also important to watch just to watch! That's what entertainment is for!
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