reality tv and moral lines

I thought the msnbc commentary on reality tv shows presented an interesting deliniation of the two major "groups" of reality tv shows there are - those on which all the participants are volunteers, and those on which some of the participants have no idea they are on tv. I never before considered this - probably partially because I am not a heavy tv watcher, and even less a follower of reality tv shows (though I am at least familiar with my fair share). I definitely agree with the opinion presented in this article. People who willingly sign the contract binding them onto a reality tv show should be well aware of what they potentially are getting themselves into. However, it is wrong to subject unwilling and unknowing people to the same antics.

I think reality tv in general displays a degradation of culture in America. Since the "domestication" of television - when it found its way into the majority of American homes - culture has always been modeled after what people see on television. From stereotypical commercials in the 50s portraying "modern" home conveniences and the housewives who wield them, to the family oriented and other comedy sitcoms of the 90s. But now, with the onset of reality tv, the people themselves are the stars - and in a sense we see the cultural disaster television has created by instilling traditional stereotypes, etc.