The Jeremy Kyle Show

The Jeremy Kyle show is pretty atrocious. Doesn't really explain why we watched an hour of it today. Feel so dirty on the inside. On one hand, I guess its somewhat beneficial for these people to be going on the show because we are assured that they will get 'professional help' afterwards and some secret relationship issues can be put to rest. But it's quite down-heartening that they have to expose themselves for our entertainment in the meantime. It almost encourages people to be dysfunctional just to get a chance to be on camera, or possibly because it's now accepted as a norm. It's as if the show's creators realized that people love the drama in soaps like Eastenders and Corrie but were too lazy to script an episode so they get raunchy members of the public to come and show-boat their problems. It's like the modern equivalent of the Roman Colosseum. But are they the barbarians for duking it out, or are we worse for silently hoping for the most deprived and outrageous social situation to 'come on after the break' for our entertainment? Or is the show simply pushing boundaries?

It's funny, because I would generally defend film for pushing boundaries, Psycho being the prime example of this. A film that was slated upon initial release for being gratuitous but I would argue that it opened the floodgates for film-makers and directors in the 60's as they could put so much more on screen to convey their message; be it nudity or violence. Film making, to some, is an art form. Boundaries must be pushed in order to shock and entice audiences. Some good film-makers know this and often use something shocking to provoke a strong, and in very rare cases, new emotions within their audience. Films like the Saw or Paranormal Activity sequels build on the emotions created in the first film in an attempt to 'cash in' on those audiences wanting another hit, and maybe a chance to see something a little bit more nasty. Reality TV shows and their respected audiences are very similar to the horror genre and it's fans.

TV producers know that if they appall a new viewer first time around, they are practically guaranteed to tune in again for more. But the shocks that come with reality TV 'cheapen' over time. Audiences feel more numbed to a show's tricks but return for more to see how far the series will go and how deep into the human psyche the network will dare them to venture. We are simultaneously disgusted and fascinated by topics and scenarios that are otherwise considered a social taboo. We cannot believe we are reading the words 'My husband accuses me of sleeping with my step-son' on our screens; but we wonder how much worse it can get in every episode until we eventually get addicted. It's like cocaine if it came in every colour of the rainbow. You want to try out every colour in case you felt something different, but deep down you know that nothing will really be unique and it's the same product - problem is, you're hooked now. And you can't stop watching the petty people with bad teeth bicker at each other.