Poll: Does Appearance-based Reality TV Make You Feel Bad?

So don't watch it.

ben has a point; as free willed individuals, it is our choice to watch such things and "torture" ourselves. regardless if i watch a show, i always feel the same about myself. it doesn't have to do with the media showing off thin people and making once homely people into "the norm". its about emphasizing so much that waiffy figures are more important than health. i'm healthy, but because i'm not anorexic, i'm just not good enough? its just rediculous. you can get rid of all the fast food places you want and ban obesity, but what will we do with all the bulemic high school and college students in the world? we dont seem very concerned about that.

Yes reality TV makes me feel bad.

It makes me feed bad because when I happen to see it, I am reminded of how profoundly stupid most people are. I'm reminded of how most people have no morals or values and will sell their souls for fifteen minutes of fame, and how people watching at home are so easily titillated by the most stupid, animal-like behavior.

Most reality TV is centered around confrontation, scandal, aggression, mistrust, back stabbing, treating others poorly, cheating, lying, sleeping around, getting drunk, acting like a piece of garbage.

Do yourself a favor, and throw away your TV. Or at least quit watching "reality" TV which has nothing to do with actual reality.

The only reality show I watch is The Biggest Loser, and I'll admit I look forward to it every season. It's not reality for most obese people, but I do enjoy watching the transformations and following the contestants' stories. And even though I'm not that happy with how I look--I'm not overweight, but I am out of shape and "softer" than I'd like--it makes me feel great that I managed to do what they are doing (lost 70lbs) with all of that help, all on my own.

The rest of the reality shows are a waste of airtime, as far as I'm concerned.

I've watched Biggest Loser, but it doesn't make me feel bad. I know full well that those folks are on a program that's nothing if not accelerated. If they go back to an hour long format I may watch it again, I can't stand watching a show that's 2 hours every single week. Isn't sitting on your butt for an extra 2 hours a week anti-weight loss? Other reality shows make me feel better. I mean if a beautiful woman has to go on some idiotic TV show to find a mate, surely we're all more alike in our insecurities than we'd care to admit.

Overall if a TV show makes you feel bad about yourself my first choice would be to not watch it. Many of those shows are absolutely ridiculous and just a money grab.

> I feel happy about my appearance after watching

...because I'd rather be fat than stupid.

I don't think anybody in the world is perfectly happy the way they look. Even all those models we look up to will find something they don't like about their body. Or in other words, if you don't like the way you look, I bet you anything there is at least one person in the world who'd love to have your shape.
As for these programs, the concept of reality shows is getting moronic by the day.I guess Jerry Springer opened a door that even himself regrets about. My suggestion don't take one show as a referance. If you will, watch more than one show, and overall you will feel better about yourself :) .

There are 2 ways not to feel bad about TV reality shows.
1. Do not watch them.
2. Change your approach toward them.

I kind of agree with Ben here. I know it may ve entertaining, but if you finish the show feeling poorly about yourself, then I think it's probably best to stop watching it. I do not watch these type of shows, so I can't comment on the validity of the findings in my case, but I do agree it is best not to watch them if you end up feeling bad about yourself.

I don't usually watch reality TV shows, but I do actually kinda like The Biggest Loser because I find it motivational and inspirational at the same time. I don't think it focuses as much on appearance as much as it focuses on building stamina and endurance. Unlike, say, America's Next Top Model where the goal is to be the absolute skinniest person there.

Isn't reality TV an oxymoron?

I have tried to understand the appeal of shows such as the ones to which you refer, and have come to a rather cynical conclusion. Watching them is a popular, non-stigmatised form of self-harm. People watch them because it does them damage/feels good. 'Interactive' shows give them a sense of power. If a program makes them feel bad about there appearance, (which I don't doubt is true) it confirms already believed ideas and is accompanied by the 'good' feeling of idea conformation. Thus, pleasure and pain are associated and everyone tunes in next week.

Adults have the free-will to decide to jump of bridges to.

Umm... just re-read what I wrote before. Just letting you know, I don't usually descend quite that badly into hyperbole. It's been a bad day.

none of the above. usually the tv contestants...actors?...are thinner or more attractive but i usually end up thinking thank goodness i am not as stupid as them! i would rather look like a jeopardy contestant!

Ugh. I was addicted to the Swan, and everytime I watched it I felt bad. It was like drugs or alcohol or binge eating. All those girls got veneers, liposuction, nose jobs, and boob jobs first before anything, as though that was a given. It was such a commentary on what is and what isn't okay. Of course the most beautiful, most famous actresses are totally unique and then there's the rest of hollywood that's so generic.

Hmm. I really do hate reality shows but unfortunately, that's all that seems to be on these days. I don't really watch it because I work 60 hours a week, but I might keep it on for 2 or 3 minutes before changing the channel when I do get a chance to watch a little TV.

On the poll, I chose "I say I'm okay, but deep down..." Do I compare myself to these thin and/or attractive women? Not really. In fact, I feel okay about myself despite the last 15 pounds I'd like to drop. What really does disappoint me is how others around me react to these nonsense shows. Instead of watching it in disbelief that people can actually be so vane, stupid, and over dramatic, they're always commenting on how hot this one is and how sexy the other one is. I mean, is this the world we live in? Is everything powered by sex and beauty? Does this mean that sex and a pretty face will get you fame, fortune, and admiration from others?

That's the part that makes me feel disappointed in myself, even if it's always for just a split second. In today's society, having the perfect body and all the accessories to go along with it seems to be the answer to success in all aspects of life. Sure, we'd all like to think that looks don't matter, but these days, it's so not the case, especially if you're in your late 20's like myself. I thought that things would be easier and people would act more "normal" as I got older, but that's just not the case. It's so easy to say ignore such people and move on, but it's very, very difficult when everyone around you is so judgmental and negative. And if I were to say this to my peers, they'd think I had jealousy issues or something along those lines. I find it to be very frustrating, not to mention extremely annoying!

I agree with Sabrina about sitting on your butt thinking about how good someone else is doing. LOL Be a part of a group of people who are reaching for the same types of goals and hang around the like-minded for your best results. You can join my team, they're awesome!

I watch The Biggest Loser.
But they way I see it, it's less about looks & more about health. Those people are seriouslly overweight.
It makes me feel good because I see other people overcoming their demons & getting healthy.
It's hard to explain, but it makes me feel good because I can sympathize.

Oh every now and again I watch America's top model.... can't say I ever land up wishing to be different. Now if I were still 20.... well I have no doubt it'd make me feel hellishly insecure.

It's easy to say don't watch reality tv shows about looking good. But looking good is always in our faces.

I will also say that the breakdown of families and values coupled with the sensationalism of hollywood has the younger generation espousing very different ideals than were popular 30 years ago.