If you are anything like me, you will sit watching television shows endlessly when the boredom hits or late at night before bed. I, personally, am addicted to American tv shows, such as Desperate Housewives, Veronica Mars and the Gilmore Girls; these are all great shows although I noticed recently that the relationships seem fake. Yes, I know that the shows are fake and the characters are actors/actresses but shouldn't the show represent relationships how they really are?
When I was 13, I became interested in Charmed, a television show about three sisters who happened to be sisters. I was hooked after one episode, not because of the action (although that was certainly a factor) but because of how the relationships were represented. The opening scene involved two sisters who live together in a house they had inherited in their grandmothers will. Within minutes, the sisters were having a small argument about Piper (the middle sister) being late home to meet the electrician; finally, a show that represented family life. Its not all smiles and laughter, its hard, frustrating and at times arguing is going to happen.
Me and my mum have one of the closest parent/daughter relationship I have seen, we share everything and ensure that each other knows they have a support network but even we argue. Watching Charmed helped me to deal with issues I was having at home, it still does today, as the sisters deal with the same family problems that I have to face everyday. It may seem strange, but this proves theraputic to me, knowing that there going through the same thing (and yes, i know there characters but they start to feel real after a while).
Also, as in a real family, the different characters have different personalities, and I see myself in each and everyone:
Piper- Pipers character is down to earth, a mother to everyone; She will do anything for anyone whether it puts her out or not. In my times of stress, when I think everything may get to much, I watch how Piper copes with it; as the show progresses I start to feel more calm and like I can handle anything.
Phoebe-The free spirit, after her grandmother died Phoebe ran away to San Francisco as she felt she couldn't deal with the stress anymore. Her relationship with Prue (the older sister) is very strained and Piper is often left in the middle to pick up the mess.
The free spirit in Phoebe inspires me, whenever I watch Phoebe I feel like I can do anything. The way she thinks everything will be ok as long as she stays positive and keeps her heart open, shes inspiring.
Prue- The character that represents me more than any! The workaholic, Prue has constantly got responsibilities which stress her out. She works all hours god gives her to provide for her family so she doesnt have much time to be sociable or caring of others. I strive to have her strength and courage in times of fear or stress.
Paige-Paige is the adopted and slightly cookey sister. She is fun loving and caring, this means that there isn't much to get her down; she feels tied to her family and wishes for her freedom (although she loves her sisters).
I think I love this show so much because it has everything, action, drama, adventure and romance all rolled into one. I've started to care for the characters as if they're my friends and watching there lives unfold you start to get addicted. I'm not the only one either!! My mum has recently got addicted to the same television show!
With shows becoming more and more addictive, the need for socialising is getting a lot less! My addictions have got worse, thus taking up all my time. It was originally just Charmed, its slowly progressed to Desperate Housewives, Veronica Mars, Charm School and 90210. This means I'm spending less time talking or socialising with friends; on the plus side it keeps me from getting up to no good so it cant all be bad!
So, in closing, I have to ask! Do you think television is good or bad?
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I, personally, have never felt that way about a TV show, but I can see why people do. I often relate my problems in life to TV shows, and have gained advice from how they are solved on the show. However, i've never felt that close to characters on a show before, but I suppose that's personal taste.
ReplyDeleteI actually think television is a good thing, but I think that too much TV is a bad thing.
My reason for that is because it can be addictive, and is a huge lure away from things such as excersise, and socialising.
Also, some people dont just use TV for viewing pleasure. They use it as an escape from thier life. They ignore the problems that they face in reality, by emmersing themselves in a fantasy world. I believe that the time that they spend ignoring the situation, could be time spent solving it (obviously depending on what the problem is).
Television can be good but it can be too easily abused.
ReplyDeleteTelevision is now the entertainment medium of choice these days and because of digital/sky/cable - the proliferation of programmes is way way way beyond the actual requirement. We now have so much choice about what to watch, we rarely choose not to watch it. Doo be doo is right, ultimately, this has led to the masses now living their lives through the TV.
We use X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing as the dreams, daytime telly to make us feel better about ourselves and Big Brother as our voyeurism. And we mustn't forget the wonderful soaps of Eastenders and Corrie as living out 'real life drama'. pfft!
I am taking it to extremes true but look at the family values that are being 'reported' on in the news. Look at the moral state (and decline) of our country and then look at what's on our TV's for the majority of the broadcasting day. See any similarities?
Charmed is a great all round show as it has drama, comedy and generally a happy ending. Some very pleasant escapism - much like desperate housewives etc.
But look outside the entertainment genre and perhaps life is imitating art a little too much.