"Reality" TV: We're All In It Together

The other day, Henry Winkler talked a lot about being in "show biz," but one thing that really stuck out in my mind were his ideas about the entertainment industry using media purely for financial gain.



In today's television world, the only reason shows exist is because of advertising- networks sell you and I, as viewers, to companies. Effectively, we are the commodities that AOL/ Time Warner, Viacom, Walt Disney, Sony, etc. are selling to companies, and the content they produce is just a gimmick to get us watching.

I don't necessarily think this is a bad system. After all, in a capitalist economy we need money to do things, and the things that these companies profit from make most people happy. However, Mr. Winkler and I agree that what the media industry and we as a culture need to get into our heads is that money is only a means to an end- not at all an end in itself. When monetary wealth dictates things we do and happiness translates into getting the items we want, our minds go screwy and we want more and more and care less and less about each other and the "real" world around us. It's like a drug that we all desire in some weird way, and it's extra hard to ignore in such a luxurious city like L.A. where it's easy to get caught up in the glitz and glam of Hollywood nightlife.

In some ways, I think that the financial fiasco we are in right now (which almost all of our interviewees have mentioned) isn't such a bad thing. This shrinkage of wealth in the world, a growing global conscience about the environment, and the rise of two-way media on the internet is forcing us to look closer at ourselves and allowing us to express what we find in more ways than ever. Once a majority of the global population really gets this, we will tip into a new found global and personal benevolence and refresh our humanity.

Who needs reality shows when the theatrics of real life are just as satisfying?

And also, Henry Winkler is a great guy.