Some Disadvantages of Reality TV Shows Reality television shows dominate many television networks today. There are reality TV shows enjoyed by virtually every age group. However, many people are unaware of the truth behind reality TV shows. They are unaware of the planning and pre-arranged situations that occur in most “reality” shows. Reality TV shows have some significant disadvantages to society, including presenting artificial situations as reality, promoting unethical values, and presenting humiliation as a form of entertainment. It's no secret that reality TV shows often present artificial situations as reality. Many producers claim that no scripts are used in the production of reality shows. They argue that nothing in the participants' lives is planned solely for the viewers' entertainment and that what is presented on the show is their actual reality. However, most people know that this is false to some extent. Events and situations in reality TV shows are often staged, re-enacted or cleverly edited to make them more dramatic, and therefore more interesting, than they are. Elizabeth Larkin writes: "After so many 'reality' programs, we can discern a pattern of 'characters' that is not very different from the standard characters found in fictional programs. There is the sweet, naive person from a small town who seeks to succeed while maintaining small town values. There’s the party girl/guy who’s always looking to have a good time and shocking those around him – and the list goes on” (Larkin 290). Participants on reality TV shows are often looking to gain wealth and fame, and they are willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve this. In addition to middle of paper......bing. In summary, the real disadvantages of reality TV far outweigh the artificial claims some see as advantages. Reality TV is a successful form of entertainment for many people, but it doesn't do any good. Completely fictional scripted television shows can serve the same purposes. They can be just as dramatic, catastrophic and interesting as reality TV shows. It's important that viewers take the time to evaluate and understand why they like reality TV. It is essential to familiarize yourself with reality TV statistics, learn about the production process of such a show, and examine the morality of such shows. Presenting artificial situations as reality, promoting unethical values, and presenting humiliation as a form of entertainment are just some of the many drawbacks of reality TV shows...