Who's Real: Celebrity vs. "Real" People

With the introduction of reality television, also came competition programming.  And I don’t mean competition in the traditional sense like watching spectator sports or trivial game shows—but shows like Celebrity Apprentice, Survivor, The Voice, The Bachelor, Project Runway or even a new addition to primetime television called I Can Do That.

What do these shows have in common, you ask?  Well for starters, this brand of reality TV is purposed with crowning winners amongst typically deceitful people or mediocre fellow competitors all for the gain of large sums of money or “15-minute” fame exposure.  Now out of my small list of examples, not all of these shows are determined to expose duplicitous and conniving characters; some of these competition reality shows are truly built on inspiring the public. 

To solidify my opinion further:

For instance the shows that feature non-celebrity people (i.e. American Idol, Top Chef, and The Biggest Loser) are dedicated to proving to the public that most goals or seemingly unachievable success can be accomplished with determination and a crew of professional people pushing to help accommodate the win.  I think the nation’s audience prefers to see people that are “relatable” winningly achieve things.  As opposed to watching celebrities compete for the benefit of a charity or to further their own celebrity agenda.  Those kinds of shows (i.e Dancing With The Stars, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, and Love & Hip-Hop) are simply built for entertainment.  The nation’s audience enjoys watching those on a pedestal deal with demeaning issues.  Seeing people at the top not living such a glamorous life at all times can be comforting. 

Also there is currently a global discussion about the motives of reality TV and what the implications behind some of the programming.  For instance all of the variations of Housewives continually display women that lack actual marital relationships, no sense of public decorum and self-worth due to the ongoing physical violence that occurs in these shows—and it crosses racial boundaries when women from all races are literally fist fighting on national television with no positive end result…well besides a possible “spin-off” series.

What to ask yourself:

Supposed "Housewives"

• Are there any shows you won’t consider spectating any further now that you’re aware of the implications behind it?
• Would you do anything to change the outcome concerning the types of programming placed on television?  Would you complain to TV networks and/or creators?
• Are you going to shelter your children, today’s future, from seeing these types of figures on television?

Double Take

I think we all know that history repeats itself.  It’s the proven sign that civilization continually works to find the succession in life and yet contradictorily, it’s the sign of retroaction as well. 

Well repetition could serve as a form of flattery, considering that something or someone is attempting to duplicate a piece of life that already exists.  The reason for copying may be because the first one was such a great production, it needed to be done again.  In music and in film this is a heavily utilized component in production.  In our world where the media dictates, just about everything, the public is easily swayed by what has already been done.  Therefore it only makes sense that replicas and remakes and remixes are becoming more and more prominent in everyday creative processes. 

To solidify my opinion further:

In music some of this generation’s greatest successes have been those that found innovative ways to bring back the old and make it new—again {that’s an oxymoron}.  Though there are plenty that unfortunately don’t know how to tune into that special ability to know the origins of true music and then be able to not butcher it in their own tracks.  There’s an art to sampling and remixing; and I can say that because I come from the generation that witnesses the majority of today’s “artists of now” using this technique repeatedly.  Though understandably so, I can argue with my parents ‘til the point is dead about what constitutes as a good artist—considering they view duplication as lack of ingenuity.  And though I don’t discredit their stance, there is still the strong belief that in order to even take a classic song like Mike Jackson’s PYT (Pretty Young Thing) and turn it into Kanye West’s Good Life takes immense musical capability.  There are so many things he probably could have done wrong to ruin that record, yet he didn’t and continues to do so with many other hits.  And please don’t get me wrong, not every producer and songwriter that samples is automatically a musical genius.  There are some that didn’t get the magic touch and don’t know how to be inspired by an original for their own re-creation.

What I suggest:

• Learn the culture of music sampling and see if you can locate similar applications in other forms of media, for instance in television and film.
• Use resources like whosampled.com, the Loopy app in the Apple Store, and plenty more that can be found using your favorite internet browser. 
• Check out this video for live examples of how sampling works. 

Keepin' It Real

Can I tell you how bored I am with the lack of creativity in Reality TV?  For starters, let’s talk about the fact that there’s nothing real about it.

I’m tired of all these “celebrities” being born from the misuse of fame and popularity.  I miss the old days where people looked forward to catching the weekly sitcoms from the likes of “Living Single” or “Friends” to anything on T.G.I.F.  Think back to when there were no TiVo or DVR systems to catch all the moments we miss in tv land; and we were forced to sit through commercials in order to get to the end of a program.  Now everything on TV is a sort of challenge, to test the limits of mediocrity—and we all blindly watch for the season’s winner.  Whether its romance (all superficial of course), or unnecessarily physically grueling matches, or even being crowned champion of best unusual-cake-maker—we have to watch. 

To solidify my opinion a little further:

These producers have figured that there’s a commodity and a profit in television.  And I don’t know how: but the money is really where the mouth is.  If you can sell yourself in front of a nationwide audience in the form of having a single-view camera follow you from here to Timbuktu, then congratulations! you just ticketed yourself at a reasonable price.  There are too many talentless “famous” people taking over the prime time slots.  To the point where TV consumption is forcefully being moved from major cable television networks to the likes of YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix.  Entire series premieres are occurring on Netflix, and you can be fully satisfied after a 6-hour binge watching.

How To...Use Video Streaming

1. Use your favorite browser to locate a preferred video streamer (I prefer Netflix).  Most video streamer websites are user-account based, so it will require a 'sign up' for an account or trial use before using.
2. Once logged in, utilize the search bar that is usually located at the top of the web page to locate titles of programs, movies or specials.  
3. Also become familiar with the category search to fully learn the titles of particular genres.
4. Locate a title, guarantee you're in an environment to appreciate some relaxation, and click the play button to begin your selection.
5. Enjoy! 

Things to consider:

• The next time you find yourself finally allowing the time to relax in front of the television, consider what your initial choice of programming would be.  Do you tune in to revel in the misery that is the Kardashian family?  Do you tune in to cooking-challenging shows to hopefully acquire easy recipes you never tried? Or are you tuning into today’s latest version of a Variety show—video-clip comedy programs?  What are you doing to perpetuate the severity of losing quality programming in television?
• How is it that fake reality has become so entertaining?  I find that some situations that are played out in reality tv could possibly leave audiences feeling like they can relate.  I’m assuming that watching wealthy women openly using violence towards one another, and typically over issues that could be resolved amicably to whole families dealing with mundane or astronomical life crises, that these are scenarios that today’s audiences are finding familiar.  Or could it be that mass audiences are finding comfort in the opportunity to seek fame by simply “being yourself”? 

Oh the reality of TV...

Homemade Celebrity

Ryan Seacrest made an interesting statement one morning on Big Boy’s newest morning radio show, The real 92.3. He was being interviewed regarding the close of the infamous American Idol; and specifically questioned about how does he view the generations of aspiring singers.  Seacrest’s comment stated (and excuse my paraphrasing) ‘that now-a-days everyone is being raised in a society where anyone can be famous—due to the instantaneous nature of becoming a celebrity.  With the invention of YouTube and personal cameras, why wouldn’t the millennial generation feel like they can make it too.’  The proof is in the pudding, I say.

To solidify my opinion a little further:

The increase of self-made celebrity has engulfed the pool of genuinely famous talent.  These days are all about new YouTube, Vine or SnapChat sensations; basically normal people that build popularity and their own celebrity status by creating intriguing follower-based accounts.  Within these accounts, people are utilizing video capabilities to showcase amateur talents or entertaining posts for the public.  This form of self-publicity is providing people with reoccurring jobs and roles on television because they are being spotted by not only their own counterparts but by those truly in the limelight—and an ‘in’ to the industry.

Celebrities in Order (L to R): Actor Taye Diggs, OneDirection-er Harry Styles, Model/Actress Tyra Banks, Smirnoff Vodka Commercial actress Alison Brie, Rapper Riff Raff, Actor Zach Braff, Rapper(s) Tyler the Creator & Drake

How To...Use Vine

1. Open your favorite browser to locate https://vine.co/
2. There is no requirement for user-account log-in, unless you choose to upload videos.
3. There are 'channels' within the Vine web page, choose the category most intriguing to you.
4. Simply scroll up and down the page of choice to view all the posted videos. 
5. To play a video, simply stop the page scrolling so that the video parameters fit in your browser window, the video will play automatically.
6. Enjoy!

Things to consider:

• How long can a fad last?  For those that are seeking supreme celebrity status, but looking to achieve it quickly through social media channels will eventually run into the problem of "running out of their 15 minutes" faster.  I can only assume that the probability of true fame being born from these types of avenues will come to find that their career foundations aren't strong ones.  Therefore creating the problem that the thrill to find one's "15 minutes" will soon become less.

They're People Too

Why must we treat celebrities as if they are a part of another creed or another race of people?  If nothing else they are human beings, and as far as I’m concerned still among us in mankind.  Imagine that these people are basically the same people that lived down the street from you or came from your same hometown.  They either possessed a talent they had a desire to share, knew the right people with the right kind of “deep pockets”, or had enough courage to step out from said hometown in order to be noticed.  Thus my interpretation of ‘celebrity’ at its finest. 

To solidify my opinion a little further:

Social media has progressed our natural obsession for celebrity life—and for the worse.  There used to be a time where all the information we had on celebrities and their habits outside the movie and music studios primarily came from television and printed periodicals.  Does anybody remember the Variety magazine? Now even the most remote cell phone has camera technology and access to social media outlets.  And now fame and celebrity has been effectively watered down and it means much less; i.e. the Kardashian “empire”.  Mystery needs to be implemented back into the world of fame, all their business shouldn’t be our business. 

What I suggest:

• Consider your actions next time you’re googling someone or following them in social media non-stop, ask yourself: “what am I really getting from this?”
• Just because the information is made available, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s 100% true, so get used to reading between the lines and taking those outlandish images for face-value.
• The only difference between you and them is that now their addresses claim Hollywood Blvd. and their bank accounts don’t look like our account balances.   But once upon a time these celebrities came from that street from your hometown…ok, I exaggerated slightly to get the full effect.  But you get it! LOL