Every time you turn on the television, it seems as if some TV network is coming out with yet another reality show. A show that takes a closer look at the way people live. A reality TV show is known for being unscripted, dramatic, and most of the time displays inappropriate behavior. This is a genre for TV shows that is becoming very popular with today’s youth in America. According to Forbes magazine, “In 2010, 15 of the top 20 highest rated broadcast television programs among those 18 to 49 were reality or unscripted shows.”

There are some TV shows in this genre that are not considered to have a negative impact on the audience. TV shows that are talent contests such as, American Idol and The X Factor can show that dreams come true and people can achieve their aspirations. However, some reality TV shows have a negative influence on the audience – shows such as the Real Housewives, Jersey Shore, and many others. These types of shows display crude behavior such as excessive drinking, sexual content, partying, and even violence. Some shows such as Here Comes Honey Boo and Keeping up with the Kardashians take viewers inside the lives of families who teach them nothing positive. Many people find these shows a form of entertainment and don’t realize the kind of detrimental impact they may have on the way they act in their daily life.

A New York times article states, “In the case of reality-TV documentary shows like Intervention and the various incarnations of The Real World and Road Rules on MTV, producers can be witnesses to crimes, raising the question of when they are obligated to step out from behind the camera and intervene.” Some of these shows go too far in order to draw the attention of the audience and receive good ratings.  These television shows have the power to send positive messages to their young audience. Instead, they serve as negative examples that greatly influence how people, adolescents in particular, see themselves and behave. Television producers need to create more shows whose characters serve as role models for young people and simultaneously get them the ratings they need to remain on the air.