Assignment 5-1 Weekly Written Analysis

Television: Shrink in a Box

This article deals with reality TV shows. I'm not one for watching reality shows. I personally feel they are a waste. The article points out that there are some positive aspects to reality TV. It states that many of the reality shows are about mental makeovers and that they play off the American ideal of self-reinvention.

CW's Beauty and the Geek is geared toward giving nerds and beauty queens self confidence. The Secret Life of a Soccer Mom allows stay at home moms the opportunity to go back to work in order to reevaluate whether their decision to give up their careers was the right choice. Reality shows in a sense deal with relatioinship issues, self esteem and problems in the guise of personal growth through challenge.

Reality shows help people confront their personal demons ranging from losing weight to changing their outlook on life to overcoming their addictions. They are geared not only to the every day person but also toward celebrities.

The article pointed out that the premise of reality shows is that "what does not get you eliminataed makes you stronger." It also pointed out that the Amazing Race is part contest and part couple therapy. How to Look Good Naked is about women shedding psychological baggage more so than pounds. It allows women to look at themselves in a different light.

The article emphasized that the one common thread in reality TV is that "there are no external circumstances you cannot overcome by improving your internal attitude." It also stated that people want the shows to tell them that they had courage, heart and brains all along as the lion, tin man and scarecrow found out in the Wizard of Oz.

People are always looking for ways to improve themselves and their situations. Reality TV provides this outlet. Reality TV is saying the answer to your problems is all in your head and helps to bring them to the forefront. So, I guess reality TV does serve a useful purpose and does not just waste TV air time.


Poinewozik, J. Television: Shrink in a Box. Time Magazine (2008 April 21) , p. 71-72