Addicted to K
I wish I was Kim Kardashian.
Who wants seven million, four hundred thirty-three thousand, five hundred and twenty-six fans (Wikipedia)? Who wants to be known by the entire world? The United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia and South Africa? Anyone? I’ll tell you right now, I do.
Without “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” the world of reality television would not be worth my while or anyone’s while. I’d even dare to say that the Kardashians are what keep me alive, and you alive. Without reality television, the world would morph into mere nothingness. Without reality television I wouldn’t be able to pretend that I actually was Kim Kardashian. Haters of reality television gon’ hate, but reality is, without reality television, humanity would have some serious problems.
First of all, reality television shows give people something to do. Did you know that each month roughly sixty-six thousand new fans start to keep up with the Kardashians? That means that at each month there are sixty-six thousand people who have some extra time to kill. Instead of just sitting around doing nothing, or cleaning the house, or watching some exaggerated CSI episode, or reading a book, they decide to invest their time in “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Why? Because it makes them feel better about themselves. Reality television acts as a self esteem booster, which is crucial to one’s confidence and contentedness in life. According to Jesse Hicks, “People tend to feel better about their own lives when watching the marital turmoil,” of others lives, and the problems in Kim’s family definitely accomplish that goal.
But it isn’t just about feeling better, it’s about feeling included. People would not be able to live without reality television, and more specifically “Keeping up with the Kardashians,” because it has the power to make audience members feel like part of the action. A reporter from The Penn State news said, “No longer mere couch potatoes in front of their boob tubes, viewers join the creative production; the experience feels less like simply watching television and more like being part of a shared national project.”. If you have no friends, and are okay with that then good for you. BUT! If you want to have real life friends AND television friends then you need to start watching reality television.
Have you always wanted to be the one in your friend group that everyone else confides in? Well Kim Kardashian will confide in you for almost an hour every weekday! Maybe even her mother and sisters. You will become an important part of their life in no time. Once you feel accepted into their lives, it will only get better from there.
Reality television allows “viewers to fantasize about becoming stars,” (Hicks) without having to go through all the trouble that comes with being one! You gain friends, and fame!
When Kim goes shopping and buys that Chanel bag that you have always dreamed of having, you are buying it with her. When she gets her hair and makeup done for a party, you are getting it done with her. You are pretty much Kim Kardashian yourself. What a triumph.
However, take away reality television and all of your glory, happiness, and dreams shut off. You go back to your normal life where everything is always the same; you have less friends, and feel less famous.
Despite those tragedies, there are haters out there! “‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ is the saddest excuse of a show, how do people waste their time watching nothing?” Ah, yet another prize of reality television. Talk about making something out of nothing. Kris Kardashian, the mother, literally took her life with her daughters and husband and created an empire. Once, she was no more known than you and me, but now, their reality show is a national network. Isn’t there something to be learned from that? Kris said "I was taught dream big, work hard and you could have whatever you wanted.” Well, she showed us. What better role model to set for young children, than Kris Kardashian saying those words herself. Dream big and work hard and you will be rewarded. Here is a woman who has got it all figured out.
But the haters return! In a survey, 80 percent of mothers admitted to watching “Keeping up with the Kardashians,” but not because they liked the show. No, they watch the show because they hate it; they’re hate-watchers. Suzie, a mother of four said, “I hate reality TV. Actually, ‘hate’ is quite a loose term. I loathe it. Detest it. Abhor it.” She then went on to say that despite her hatred, she keeps up with the Kardashians from time to time. Why do you think that is? What do people do when they expose themselves to something they hate? They get mad, and release and their anger.
Maybe some days Suzie loses it with her kids and wants to freak out at the world; instead of taking her frustration out on the people she loves, she turns on “Keeping up with the Kardashians” and curses them out. “Those kardashians- those spoiled brats- those good-for-nothing human beings- those stupid stupid stupid kardashians.” Even the people who HATE reality T.V, can use it for their own benefit! Take your stress, hate, and frustration out on the Kardashians rather than your family or yourself.
Say what you want, but I guarantee that those “hate-watchers” cursing out the Kardashians actually enjoy it. It probably reminds them what good people they are and what great families they have raised. So whether you hate or love reality television it can make you feel better about yourself. So stop complaining.
I read this to my mom the other day and she sat there shocked in her seat. I told her it was a joke but she looked at me said “I am very concerned that you would write this” (Kathy Coe). She then proceeded to state all the reasons why she hated the show: negative behavior, money wasters, bad morals; it went on and on. “Maybe they have nice houses and nice clothing, but you are better off without all that,” she said. I told her that I know that, and that because of the show I could temporarily pretend that I did have those things. Our conversation went on, but she eventually admitted to watching the show from time to time. “It assures me that I am making better choices, and being the best person I can be.”
My point exactly.
Both sides win. “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” and other reality T.V shows let reality lovers live the dream of being famous and included, while it gives the haters an outlet for anger and assurance.
Without reality television there would be a whole lot more bored, depressed, deflated, isolated, angry, and insecure people on our earth, and we can’t afford to have any more of those.
So thank you Kim, Kourtney, Klhoe, and Kris, for making this world a better place.
Works Cited
Do you watch keeping up with the Kardashians? Survey by Anthea Taeuber. October 20, 2013.
G, Suzie. "Why I Hate Reality Tv." Suzie81's Blog. N.p., 20 Jul 2013. Web. 24 Oct 2013. <http://suzie81.wordpress.com/2013/07/20/while-i-hate-reality-tv/>.
Hicks, Jesse. "Why do we love reality television?." Penn State News. N.p., 24 Aug 2009. Web. 24 Oct 2013. <http://news.psu.edu/story/141303/2009/08/24/research/probing-question-why-do-we-lo e-reality-television>.
"Kardashians." Wikipedia. N.p.. Web. 24 Oct 2013.
Quotes from Kathy Coe
