When reality TV bites

Audrey Vijaindren
New Straits Times
01-30-2011
When reality TV bites
Byline: Audrey Vijaindren
Edition: New Sunday Times
Section: Main Section
Column: Sunday spotlight

EXPERTS and society are quick to notice cigarette, alcohol, drug and sex addiction. However, certain TV programmes can be just as dangerous and damaging, discovers AUDREY VIJAINDREN.

"THERE'S no way producers can create a reality show from that idea!" That's the initial thought. You then tune into the first episode to check out just how silly the concept is.
At the end of the hour, you vow never to waste your time on that show again. However, before you know it, friends and family are talking about it and you find yourself conveniently plonked in front of the TV week after week.

Although TV addiction has been around for a long time, reality TV addiction is something new, International Psychology Centre consultant psychologist Avis Ng Weng Suan says.

But it's catching on.

Ng believes that if reality show addiction goes unchecked, it could lead to serious physical, mental and emotional problems.

"The issue is escalating, although it's difficult to gauge what stage we are at right now. When someone spends an excessive amount of time watching TV and can't kick the habit, no matter how hard, that is a sign of addiction.

"One of the main reasons this addiction is becoming more common is because of the availability of reality shows.

"Over the past couple of years there have been a mushrooming of TV channels, reality shows, Internet forums and bloggers who discuss every single episode of these shows.

"Even parents believe that they are doing their children good by allowing them to watch hours of educational programmes or cooking reality shows.

"These days you rarely find children reading books or solving puzzles. The problem may be more serious than we think. Recently, a Japanese study revealed that children are prone to epileptic seizures because of too much TV time."

Although children and teenagers are more susceptible to TV addiction, Ng says, adults should be as cautious.

"Adults hooked on reality shows isolate themselves socially, which could lead to obesity. They also develop an inability to communicate. In some extreme cases, their addiction could also lead to depression."

Ng says Chinese TV serials have always been around, but it was more of a family thing.

"Reality TV is a new introduction to an old problem. It still does not promote real conversation. TV scenes may show kids what to do, but it doesn't show them how to act upon those feelings.

"Ultimately, you don't have a good relationship with family members. Indirectly, this could lead to other addictions, such as drug and alcohol. We are formed to communicate with people, not with the TV or robots.

"We have rational needs that need to be met, such as to be loved and understood. If you spend 60 per cent of your time in front of the TV, you will lack social interaction. Before you know it, you'll develop social anxiety."

Someone with social anxiety feels self conscious. Even a dinner alone at the local mamak stall can be frustrating and scary.

"In many instances, reality TV is a form of escapism. You're looking at somebody else's life instead of yours. When a viewer watches a reality show, they create a projection of themselves. They admire a certain role or character because they themselves lack those traits.

"In a nutshell, you play your life through someone else's life. That admiration could easily turn into idolism.

"What's worse is when the person is suddenly eliminated, it can be disappointing. Most of the time the addict does not know what to do with themselves. Emotionally, they feel upset.

"Eventually, they may find someone else to project through another show. Projection is common because it reflects self-esteem. It's not a two-way relationship, it's just a substitute."

Monash University Malaysia clinical psychologist and senior lecturer Paul Jambunathan believes that reality shows aim to sell emotions.

"Why do we watch movies? It's because we identify with all the emotions they express. The whole thing about film is the sale of emotions. We identify with reality shows like a puzzle we want to solve in our heads.

"Take for instance Indian movies, the story line spans over every emotion we can think of. There are moments of happiness, sadness, pregnancy and dying. It's a business of selling emotions.

"Another big lure of reality shows is the ability to judge people. The producers edit and `beep' a lot of stuff. Unfortunately, we are becoming more and more emotionally detached.

"If you want reality TV, take your family out, enjoy nature, get rid of your family problems, leave the phone at home, get lots of mirrors and deal with your own issues.

"You want reality TV? Put a camera in every room of your house, now that's reality."

Jambunathan says that if you are a junkie, the signs are obvious.

"Ask yourself whether you would choose something else besides what you usually eat, like roti canai. If you must have that, although there are other available options, then you have a problem.

"In the same way, if others have something they want to watch and you don't allow it, then there may be a problem already."

Why watch reality shows?

"I love watching the Giuliana & Bill reality show because it's so fun. I prefer most reality shows compared with shows like CSI because I can relate to them better. It's more real although I know there is a script, but it's entertaining. Serious shows are not so exciting.

"At first, my husband was not a fan, but after watching some of the shows with me, he is also hooked. He does feel as though some of the shows are lousy, but he watches it just to keep me company most of the time."

Ermie Ismail, 30

engineer

"I'm a huge fan of the Bachelorette reality show. For whatever reason, it's soothing to watch someone else's personal life and the drama that goes along with it. Of course, most of it is fake, purely made for entertainment, but at least it doesn't involve much thinking.

"I'm not sure whether I am hooked to reality shows, but it is entertaining and relaxing, especially after a long day at work."

Carrie Geraldine Aralis, 28

teacher

"The Biggest Loser is my personal favourite. It does not encourage me to lose weight or exercise more, but the drama is quite fun to watch.

"I don't think reality show addiction is a huge problem in Malaysia. After all, we don't have that many shows compared with the US. However, it will probably get worse in the future."

Zeeshan Siraj Din, 33

teacher

"Why do we eat potato chips? It's a guilty pleasure but we do it because we enjoy it. I suppose it's just one of those things.

"My life does not revolve around these shows, but if it is on I'll catch it. It's definitely scripted, that's for sure.

"But if I have kids, I would make sure they don't watch most of these shows.

"Many of these shows don't teach kids respect, especially Keeping up with the Kardashians. It doesn't instil good values. I would hope that our youth are not too focused on these programmes."

January Low, 25

dancer

(Copyright 2011)