Reality Television: The Vast Wasteland Revisited
Broadcast news magazines are on the decline. Maybe they are as plentiful as reality television. Maybe we are in information overload? Despite information overload, we are also in idiot overload!  Is anyone tired of reality television that showcases people vying for their 15 minutes of fame? I am. I would rather see Diane Sawyer on three news magazine shows than watch Wife Swap or even worse Beauty and the Geek 2.  Don’t forget Reality television thinks Americans can not parent! Supernanny should give you tried and true solutions to keeping a peaceful existence with one’s children. Â
Do you know what is really on the decline–my television viewing habits. I view less and less television each year… and that to me is a good thing. The only night I HAVE to watch television is Sunday nights on ABC–Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy! Why? Because each show has professional actors and smart writing.Â
In 1961 Newton Minnow said television is a vast wasteland. His words ring true to this day and age of reality television….
But when television is bad, nothing is worse. I invite you to sit down in front of your television set when your station goes on the air and stay there without a book, magazine, newspaper, profit and-loss sheet or rating book to distract you–and keep your eyes glued to that set until the station signs off. I can assure you that you will observe a vast wasteland.
You will see a procession of game shows, violence, audience-participation shows, formula comedies about totally unbelievable families, blood and thunder, mayhem, violence, sadism, murder, western badmen, western good men, private eyes, gangsters, more violence and cartoons. And, endlessly, commercials–many screaming, cajoling and offending. And most of all, boredom. True, you will see a few things you will enjoy. But they will be very, very few. And if you think I exaggerate, try it.Â
Read the entire speech made by Newton Minnow.Now Diane Sawyer has to tell viewers that news IS the original reality television. Sad, but true…
Network Newsmagazines Struggle to SurviveÂ
NEW YORK - The point was so important that Diane Sawyer was compelled to make it twice during a “Primetime” episode on battling stepfamilies.
“You want reality TV?” she asked. “Tonight, you get it. Starting now.”
The appeal couldn’t be any more plain, or plaintive. Broadcast network newsmagazines are at a low ebb — with likely even fewer hours on the air next season — and the popularity of reality television is chiefly to blame.
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