Reality Television

I think these early years of the 21st century are really the golden age for documentaries.  There is so much programming time available on the multitude of channels today, that even shows which could only hope for a marginal audience can get aired, and there's always some segment of the viewing audience which will be interested.  (I compare this to my own childhood, where documentaries were only the stuff of PBS, and we typically watched them only when required to for homework, or when Dad had control over the TV channels.)

There are shows today about professions as diverse as fishermen, firefighters, models, and, of course, housewives.  We've seen police shows ever since COPS arrived on Fox years ago, and I think this was the start of the reality TV movement, followed by the (in my opinion fantastic) Eco-Challenge. That said, I'm still waiting for Hollywood to call me about my ideas for the show about accountants and finance professionals (and no, "The Apprentice" just doesn't suffice).

What we often call 'reality' television, though, is nothing but.  We have shows where people are 'trapped' on a desert island, apply for jobs as models, businesspeople and makeup artists, and others where people "look for love" (e.g. the Bachelor).  My problem with many of these shows is that they are contrived situations, made for the television, and frankly, other than the notoriety of having appeared on the show, people's lives aren't changed by the experience. 

One big exception to this, though, is "The Biggest Loser".  On this show, people's lives can be dramatically altered just by their participation in the show, and the education they receive on nutrition and exercise.  What is surprising is how little some of the contestants know about these subjects before they arrive on the show, but I guess if they were well-versed in these topics, they wouldn't be there.  Outside the mainstream, though, is another show called "Heavy" on A&E.  This show tracks the stories of people who are just as heavy as those on "Biggest Loser", and check themselves into a similarly structured program.  The difference is that at the end, there is no grand prize waiting for them, only their (significantly reduced) new shape and fitness, and the ability to live their lives in a much different way.  It is remarkable to see the challenges these people have, and the changes that occur over the six to nine months they are followed, when they are motivated not by money, but only by the simple desire to live better lives.

"Biggest Loser" has many seasons of history, and lots of the winners have been able to keep off their weight; I'd be interested to learn how the non-winners do, and also to see how the people on "Heavy" do in the long term.  One thing is for sure, though; these people have learned more and probably applied those learnings far more than on other reality shows.  After all, you don't often find yourself on a desert island anymore.....