Fiction vs. reality TV – Part 2

Television is a regular part of our everyday lives and we are just going to have to accept that. What is important, then, is to make sure that the television that plays in each of our houses consist of programs that are educational, instructive, age appropriate and, essentially, quality viewing. All television shows fall under one of two categories: Fiction or Non-Fiction / Reality. There are pros and cons to each but which one is better?

When debates about television rage their strongest, it is typically when discussing what our children are watching. Obviously, in families with children the programs should be monitored for language, sexual content and violence regardless of whether the program is Fiction or Reality.

In an interesting study conducted by the Parents Television Council, the top twenty shows watched by children between the ages of 2-17 were ranked by the council. Television shows either got the green light’ for suitable, the yellow light’ for questionably suitable, or the red light’ for unsuitable. The full report can be found at http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/p ublications/reports/top10besta ndworst/2007/WAYCW2007.pdf. Only 8 of 20 got the green light, and each and every one were Reality shows such as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader and Supernanny. Of the next 6 shows, falling into the “Questionably Suitable” category, again we find Reality programming; America’s Funniest Home Videos and the Amazing Race, for example. The one exception in this category is a single cartoon: The Simpsons. Finally, shows that received the “Unsuitable” red light were all Fiction. Included in this category are two cartoons that require mentioning: Family Guy and American Dad. Cartoons are particularly dangerous because we automatically associate them with children’s television. In this case, we couldn’t be more wrong. Thankfully, the top 8 most popular shows were under either the green or yellow light categories. #9 most popular was Family Guy. For you reference, this show has an episode that features a baby, Stewie, brutally attacking the family dog, Brian, for not repaying his $20 dollars on time. There is frequent sex and sexual innuendos, foul language, obesity, and discrimination. It is all in the name of satire and, for open-minded adults, may be enlightening; regardless, it is in no way a children’s program.

According to this study, Reality television for family viewing certainly wins the battle. However, it must be noted that this only included the 20 most popular shows. It is still important to monitor your children’s viewing because there are some Reality programs that, in my opinion, shouldn’t be aired on regular cable; you should have to pay to view them just as you have to pay to view Play Boy. On the other hand, there are some fabulous Fiction family programs. Seventh Heaven, Degrassi High, and Gilmore Girls are all fictional, but encourage the values we would all love to instill in our children.

When I was a child most television programming was Fiction, and most of those were suitable for all viewers; at least anything that played before 10:00 pm. I remember the one show my mother wouldn’t allow me to watch was The Simpsons, which now gets the green light. Society is changing, and each parent needs to determine what is suitable for their children. Regardless, as Reality television continues to monopolize the Prime Time viewing schedule, it seems that it the answer will be Reality over Fiction, 14 times out of 20.