Summary 7

In his article “Reality Television: Oxymoron”, George F. Will believe that shows such as NBC’s Fear Factor consists of what he considers “stupid and greedy” people who are willing to degrade themselves for money. He explains how television shows like Fear Factor is an “imitation” of the MTV show Jackass that attracts viewers due the nature of violence or sexuality. Will suggests that these people who participate in these graphic television shows may do so because they feel unrecognized in life. And by exploiting themselves on television in some way they feel authenticated. Will claims that America is becoming more desensitized by its attraction to these increasingly graphic television shows in which the viewers find very entertaining. The networks that air the graphic television shows look at it as supplying a market, that as long as they have customers who demand their product it’s justifiable.
Another point the author makes in this article is how the networks get the attention of millions of viewers by adding more violence and sexuality to their newer shows. He also compares what was considered scandalous in earlier years, which had way less violence and sexuality, to what is allowed to be broadcasted today on television. Will goes on to quote the Supreme Court as saying “One man’s vulgarity is another man’s lyric” as to why these shows are allowed to be aired. And because these reality television shows are not for private uses only, the public suffers the consequences in our culture’s downward spiral.