Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
THERE are just so many reality shows on television nowadays. They range from game shows to surveillance shows. We have seen Big Brother mania seize the world and American Idol week after week booting out contestants. The list goes on. However, a question arises: Is reality TV healthy?
Local shows such as LBC's Star Academy and Mission: Fashion are two of the Arab world's most controversial reality shows that are currently being watched by millions.
Talent competitions such as Star Academy have garnered young viewers around the globe. The show is quite unique in discovering hidden talents and delivers high drama on a daily basis.
Some of these shows help motivate young people and give them an opportunity to showcase their talents in greater ways than one would have ever dreamt of before.
However, some shows have come under heavy criticism from the media and the governments of GCC countries for the fact that boys and girls live in total isolation with each other and viewers can watch the contestants' every single move.
Such concern shown by the authorities, I believe, is valid and such shows must be put under the spotlight for some of the messages they are sending out, not only to teenagers, but to kids who are still in the elementary stages of their education.
Surely, the whole purpose of reality TV is to show "realism" in ways that interests the viewer. It appears, however, that some are simply a tool for the producers to blow every small thing out of proportion in quite a ridiculous manner.
There are endless clips of couples trying to flirt with each other and fights over claims about who was better than the other.
I am also concerned about such shows as Mission: Fashion and America's Top Model which feature 'skinny' models competing against each other. Again, what type of message is being sent to our girls?
