in class podcast

Hello everyone. My name is Colin Greenbauer and it is March 23, 2009. Today I am going to be tackling an issue that may not be on your mind. We all love it, and many of us are even obsessed and addicted to it. Reality TV! I know that there might be many people who refuse to watch typical reality shows like American Idol or Dancing with the Stars, but there is still an overwhelming audience who are glued to their TV sets every week. These reality stars become more than just household names. They become friends, role models, counselors, and even lovers. People all over the world have bought into this cheap and dense style of television. Is it healthy for us viewers? Of course, it would not be an issue if everyone understood that there is a glass screen between us and them. But, not everyone is media literate and able to distinguish fantasy from reality. TV is a scapegoat. It’s a way for people to come together and not feel alone. But most importantly, its entertainment. I enjoy reality TV shows, but would just like to see more shows that have more substance. I need more from my reality TV viewing. In short, reality TV has hit the scene and made it big. It’s not going anywhere. People are immersed in this culture and it can become dangerous if people cannot discern the real from the fake. In order to combat this, we need to become more media literate and hopefully be able to view some fresh new shows that have little more going on then sex, alcohol, and models.

Thank you all for tuning in. I’m Colin Greenbauer, urging all of you to enjoy responsibly. Have a great night.