DECEMBER 12, 2007

       That darn writers' strike continues. This is my monthly check-in as to how you’re all coping.

       The American networks have had all scripted programming halted and are resorting to the cheapest form of entertainment – reality shows. While I admit that I thoroughly enjoy these types of shows, I can’t help but think how life imitates the so-called realness of reality TV.

       With the scripted shows many of us know we’re watching something that isn’t real. But on shows like Survivor, Big Brother, The Bachelor or The Real World, we are mere observers as to what is happening in this “real” setting.

       And what’s happening on these shows is lying, cheating, back-stabbing and other activities people act out in front of the cameras.

       It’s common knowledge that people act differently when being watched or recorded so that sense of realness diminishes with every scene that plays out. What’s left is amateur actors (AKA- everyday people) being their new “real” selves in front of a camera, knowing millions of people are watching.

       As this season of Survivor winds down and the next season of Big Brother is set to debut in February, we’re once again going to have an overload of negativity and mind games. Ironic considering it’s the TV networks wanting us to believe the characters on the shows are being real.

       I’ve noticed a change in people’s attitudes after they’ve become fans of some reality programming. It seems as though people feel that because we see this sort of disrespectful behaviour on television that it’s OK to be the same way in real life. After all, we see it on reality TV so it’s just as real as what we do on a daily basis. Or is it?

       Despite the American television networks kicking up their reality programming, we as viewers need to keep in mind that things aren’t always as they appear on television. View characters on these shows just as if they were on your favourite scripted drama or sitcom. Because chances are, that’s now how these people are in “real” life.