Psychology of Television

It is safe to say that I watch a lot of television. I think I watch television as a way to not just entertain myself but as a way to escape from reality. When I'm watching TV I tend to push aside my paperwork and procrastinate on working out. Or I just use it as a way to get away from my family so I don't have to deal with that. Television is a very powerful thing. Network executives know that. They know that most likely other people are using television for the same things. So they make appealing, sensationalized television for us to lose ourselves in.

Ah, the psychological power of television. Just look at the shows I watch on a regular basis. Take "Gossip Girl" for example. Are we really supposed to believe that it's perfectly okay to just run around and have sex with whoever, manipulate all situations, never go to class, spend tons of money, and have no general concern for the world? I don't think so. But this show shows us the extreme of one way of living. How many people take this show and try to live their lives like it, even if just in small ways?

Don't get me started on these reality shows that every network imaginable has. All of these "real" people put in these "real" situations so they can win ridiculous amounts of money and faux fame. Is this really what people aspire to anymore? We think that our break through to fame is through stupid "love" reality shows or doing ridiculous stunts? Are kids even getting the right message anymore?

Now don't me wrong, I watch these shows. And I find these shows entertaining because they are an escape from my life. Which I'm sure is why most other people watch these shows as well. But I find myself more and more thinking, "Why the hell are these people doing all of this?" Who really thinks that they are going to find legitimate love on "The Bachelor?" Who really thinks that they are going to have as big a career as Tyra Banks from winning "America's Next Top Model?" These things won't really happen. And if they do, it's few and far between.

Please don't think that this whole diatribe is the end of me reviewing television or that I have lost my passion for it. That is far from reality. It just seems as I am watching this television I get more and more disgusted and the state of some of it. Bring back scripted shows that don't feel like they are being pushed to the most sensational point to beat the others. Well, next update I will have more reviews on more television that I am obsessed with. So head on over to the forum and discuss what you think about the psychology of television.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.