The Effects of Television on America
By Brandon Hurd
Reality shows are a genre of television that are generally based upon the behavior of people in "real" situations, which attempt to depict the actuality and drama of specific demographics. The Hills is a popular reality show on MTV that portrays the life of Lauren Conrad and her companions, as she moves from Laguna Beach to Los Angeles, California to pursue her career in the fashion industry. Actors and actresses are placed in this setting and filmed as they react to each other through the struggles of "everyday life," dramatizing the emotional pain and pleasure that they are bound to encounter. This series demonstrates false ideals, misguiding viewers to believe that these activities truthfully depict American culture. Society greatly admires, and even idolizes, these images that are projected and attempts to mimic them. Conrad and her companions also highly value materialistic "necessities," concerning their individual self-image, that many Americans would only aspire of possessing. The reality television show, The Hills, reflects contemporary culture as an unrealistic standard of living for most citizens and influences society toward new moral ideals.
The social events exemplified in The Hills represent false standards upon American culture. One of the main male characters, Brody, has a particularly unrealistic criterion from being pampered with luxuries in life by his parents. His father was the champion of the Olympic decathlon of 1976 and placed in the Olympic Hall of Fame, and his mother was a famous actress and songwriter. Brody journeys freely through his life with the full benefits of celebrity without any significant talent. He was essentially recognized by the public for having a wealthy, famous family that introduced him into the world of the celebrity life. The other stars of this series are similarly brought into this environment, through initial financial aid that is dedicated to their celebrity images and television appearances. The characters are filmed as they aimlessly advance through life, revolving around personal luxuries and leisure activities. This creates a lifestyle that is exceptionally high and nearly unreachable, which taunts and escalates the hopes of viewers.
Viewers idolize and reflect on the images that are illustrated throughout this series. According to Reality TV Scoop, "the season premiere of The Hills in March drew an average of 4.7 million total viewers," which influenced a significantly greater number of Americans indirectly. Although most of the population does not watch this series, individuals that do will often mimic certain ideas and styles that are presented, influencing friends and family and molding personal morality. More frequent exposure to the television show can normalize the false morals that it portrays. Exposure to this show can effect personal morality, as the characters' values are brushed off onto values of individuals. They are also indirectly familiarized with these ideals from conversation and the reference of other viewers that are friends or family members. The ideals based upon this series present new generations with advocations that are eventually compounded into society, additionally, adapting the collective morality of individuals.
The conduct of actors throughout this show displays that greed and self-righteousness are acceptable forms of behavior. One of the characters, Spencer Pratt, demonstrates, "I have never been so madly in love as I am with Heidi. She has the world's greatest boyfriend!"
Even though Pratt may have strong feelings for this girl, he continues to boast of his personal excellence. Individuals perceive their relationship as a Hollywood fantasy, appearing to be almost fictional. The American dream is to acquire these high-priced luxuries, in which life goals are centered to reach that standard, while Lauren and her companions did not have to compromise any time or commitment. Living in populous consumerism, many disregard or ignore any moral values that may restrain them from achieving their personal goals. Americans that view this show are led to neglect certain moral values, in gluttony of the characters and in reflection of their opinions.
Popular trends guide the characters in The Hills, centering their focus solely on self-image and materialistic "necessities." These characters are constantly in search of the finest attire for their formal gatherings, as the party scene matures. One of the stars, Whitney Port, exemplifies her materialistic desires, stating, "Jeans can be really addicting. There's always new ones and you feel like you have to have them. I can't do it." Their lives are each individually dependent on shopping to search for beautiful, expensive clothing. The motivation that these characters have towards their obsession with their appearance is that they are building their self-esteem. They attempt to establish a false image of themselves to attract attention from the paparazzi. Since they were introduced to the world of celebrity with financial aid and did not display any extraordinary talents, they focus on self-image to maintain their social status. The cast of this series acts as paparazzi models to the public, displaying dreams and falsifications of a distorted culture.
Contemporary American culture is depicted by the reality television series, The Hills, demonstrating impractical lifestyles and corrupted value systems. Viewers of this show are mislead to assume that these social activities and disregards for specific ideals accurately portray the culture of American life. Society reflects on these images that are presented and is influenced, in admiration, to revere different qualities of the program. These characters are also greatly concerned with their individual self-image, worshipping materialistic luxuries that draw attention to the public and exemplify their self-image. The demographic of young, upper class adults living in Hollywood provides unrealistic feedback and viewpoints of the struggles of life towards the majority of viewers. Characters of this show attain distorted attitudes towards the people around them and towards life because they have been pampered throughout the struggles of life, with no recognized accomplishments, besides the improvement of their personal beauty. The standard of living that the stars of this series expect is unrealistically high, which draws viewers to necessitate similar treatment and commodities.
To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement over fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. (Channing)
If individuals viewed this quote with the interest and determination that they have for the maintenance of luxury, illustrated by actors in The Hills, they would have a greater understanding and appreciation for life's values. The viewpoints that are discussed on the show are centered on distinctive desires based on selfishness. They lack an understanding of the means of effort and compassion, which create a more meaningful order to the world.
