Caitlin Flynn

Christina Phillips

English 101 

April 18, 2016

How The Real World Helps Us in the Real World

Reality television shows have not been around for long, but they have made a lasting impression on pop culture that cannot be denied. A reality show is a show that is unscripted, follows around a person or group of people, and is supposed to show the truth and real life surrounding the show's subject(s). A lot of people argue that reality television is brainwashing and has no actual value in real life off the screen. Many believe reality television is actually scripted, planned out and a fake representation of what life out from behind the cameras is actually like. One of the most popular reality show producing television networks, MTV, has produced arguably the most reality television shows on one network. With two of its' longest running shows, The Real World and True Life, MTV tries to break the stigma of fake reality television by having these shows attack important issues of today such as racism, sexuality, religion, substance abuse and class. 

The Real World premiered on Music Television in 1992 as the network, and America's, first reality show. On the long-running show, around seven to eight strangers are picked and put in a house together in a new city for around three months with cameras constantly on them. They have to learn how to live together and how to handle the tension and drama that inevitably unfolds. The current season of Real World, the show's 31st season, is set in Las Vegas and follows seven strangers ("Real World: Go Big or Go Home"). The season has the title of "Go Big or Go Home" because cast members must participate in challenges throughout the season. If a cast member(s) is unable to complete said challenge, they are sent home. Among the seven of the cast members, a few stick out when it comes to tackling the key issues of today. On the issue of religion, two cast members, Chris and Jenna, are both struggling with their religious identities. Chris, a twenty something from Salt Lake City, was raised as a Mormon. Having realized the strict and unaccepting nature of the Mormon Church, Chris decided to leave the church and move to New York City to live the life he has always wanted to live away from religious prejudices (Chris| Real World). Chris' use of reality television as his platform reaches Mormon young adults, just like him, using reality television as an escape. Authority figures in the Mormon religion look down upon reality television and its' influence on Mormon youth, however, Mormon students depend on the entertainment supplied by reality television (Davies). Cast member Jenna, a small town southern girl, was also raised Mormon. Jenna is using her new opportunity on the show to prove to people not all Mormons are strict and conservative. Jenna is also using the show to explore life outside of her small, reserved southern town and to see what life is like outside of her beliefs (Jenna | Real World). Real World: Go Big or Go Home is also tackling issues surrounding sexuality. Cast member Chris identifies himself as a pansexual. A pansexual is someone who is attracted to all types of people, regardless of their biological sex or gender identity (What is Pansexuality?). The other house members, all of whom identify with being heterosexual, have yet to hear this term before. Chris was able to explain his sexuality to them, as well as to viewers who may have never heard of this sexual identity before. The house members completely accept likeable Chris, no matter his sexual orientation. Chris is an advocate for LGBTQ rights, and uses the show as one of is platforms to spread the word. With Chris being so open with his sexuality, it also gives viewers who may be struggling with their sexuality someone to identify with. One of the main issues in the world today is race. CeeJai', one of two black cast members this season and the only black female cast, grew up in a rough neighborhood in Illinois and lost both her parents to gun violence at a young age (CeeJai' | Real World). CeeJai' considers herself an advocate against gun violence and uses her education to help the other cast members get a grip on race issues. Jenna, with her conservative southern views, says a few things in front of CeeJai' that prompts CeeJai' to confront her and have a race discussion. After being complimented on her shirt, Jenna tells CeeJai' "not to sound racist or anything but I got it from a black people store" (S1 Ep1). That being the last straw in Jenna's multiple racist comments, CeeJai' decides to give her a lesson on race. Jenna is informed that just because you start a comment with "not to be racist", it makes whatever follows it sound just as racist. CeeJai' teaches Jenna to not let racial prejudices and stereotypes form her opinions before she gets to meet and know a person. This season of Real World, as well as the thirty seasons that have came before it, tackles key issues and educated not only the cast members, but the audience, on such issues. 

True Life is another one of MTV's longest running reality shows. First airing in 1998, True Life is a documentary style series that follows around two individuals each episode dealing with some sort of issue such as drug addiction, sexuality, eating disorders and family issues. In one of the series most famous episodes, cameras follow three young adults suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD is a serious condition in which those suffering have repetitive obsessions and compulsions in their thoughts, speech, action and behaviors. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a very commonly misdiagnosed and self diagnosed disorder. For example, for someone who just simply likes to keep their room clean, they may something such as "I have OCD when it comes to my room", when in reality they do not understand the complexity of such a disorder. By showcasing a few young adults who actually have OCD, the audience understands the actual complexity of the disease. Reality television gives viewers the opportunity to compare their life to the ones portrayed on the screen (Rose & Wood). By seeing the reality of OCD, viewers realize what they believe to be OCD in themselves really is not as serious. In contrast to this, someone who has not yet been diagnosed with OCD may have viewed this episode and seen parallels from the cast's life to their own life. In another one of True Life's episodes, the cameras follow people diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome. Tourette's is a disorder in which those diagnosed make repetitive movements or unwanted sounds. It is a disorder that is very visible to the naked eye, and one that can be misunderstood. By following around those with Tourette's, it gives viewers a better idea of what life with such a condition is like. It helps the audience better understand Tourette's and how to better react in situations involving those with the syndrome. True Life does not just follow those with diseases, but a wide array of topics. The drug epidemic is a huge issue in society today. On the first episode of the series ever, the cameras followed a heroin addict. The episode was hardly censored, and it exposed viewers to the real struggle of the drug epidemic and the reality drug addicts face on a daily basis. Reality television gave a face and reality to the drug epidemic that news, movies and word of mouth does not give. Throughout its twenty-two season run, True Life has covered almost every topic imaginable. The whole idea of the show is to show a real side to so many issues people overlook. 

Reality television shows have recently been criticized more than usual for showcasing what people to believe are immature, partying lifestyles. However, people do not realize the global impact reality television has on our culture as a whole. No matter how unrealistic and pointless people may believe these reality shows are, there is no denying how reality shows, such as MTV's The Real World and True Life, display key issues necessary to be discussed in today's society. The Real World and True Life use its' major platform to tackle and educate audiences on a wide range of social issues. 

Works Cited

"CeeJai' | Real World." MTV. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2016.

"Chris | Real World." MTV. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2016.

"Jenna | Real World." MTV. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2016.

John J. Davies (2007) Uses and Dependency of Entertainment Television Among Mormon Young Adults, Journal of Media and Religion, 6:2, 133-148, DOI: 10.1080/15348420701357609

"Real World: Go Big or Go Home." MTV. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2016.

"Together Our Voices Are LOUDER!" What Is Pansexuality ? N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2016.
