Opinions | City Talk
Reality shows take a bite out of viewer enjoyment
Anyone who thought that reality television shows were just a bit of fun has been forced to think again in recent weeks.
- Staff Reporters
- Published: 00:00 February 4, 2007
- Image Credit: Gulf News
- "There should be some limitations and some things should not be put on for others to watch," says Joy Regio.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah: Anyone who thought that reality television shows were just a bit of fun has been forced to think again in recent weeks.
Things turned nasty on Celebrity Big Brother in the UK when Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty was allegedly subjected to racist taunts by some housemates.
Jade Goody, who came to fame when she won the non-celebrity version of the show a few years ago, left the house in disgrace after falling out with Shetty.
In India there were angry demonstrations and effigies of those accused of targeting Shetty were burned in the streets.
So, have things gone too far?
City Talk spoke to residents of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah to find out what they thought of Big Brother and fellow reality television shows such as I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here and American Idol.
Nabila Al Uqairah, 25, from Morocco, said she had no problems with the programmes.
"I think reality TV is still within acceptable limits. They're fun to watch and although there's an endless number of reality shows, I still enjoy watching them," she said.
Office clerk Joy Regio, 23, from Philippines, thought reality television was useful for showing how people behave.
However, she added: "There should be some limitations and some things should not be put on for others to watch."
In particular, Regio said programme makers sometimes focused on sexual subjects in the hope of attracting viewers.
Correna Williamson, 31, who runs a photography business, said when she was in her native United Kingdom she would sometimes watch I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, along with Celebrity Big Brother.
"I think they really do push it, particularly in the way they edit the programme, and sometimes they have gone a bit too far," she said.
Hussain Karim, 40, an Iranian who runs a computer business, said his 10 and 14-year-old sons enjoy watching the Pop Idol shows, and he sees nothing wrong with this.
"Normally the girl wins at the end. It's nice. You can easily spend your time watching it," he said.
Michael Lawrence, 47, a real estate company director, is another reality television show parent, as his daughter likes watching the shows.
"I don't think they do any harm. I think people are mature enough to realise it's just a bit of fun," he said.
Emirati secretary Um Danad Saeed, 29, said she watched some reality television shows on Arabic television.
"I think they can teach us about different cultural behaviour in other Arab countries and these people are not doing anything wrong.
"The Arabic shows are not like similar shows in other countries where men and women mix freely. "It is not wrong to watch these shows as long as they fall within accepted Arabic and Islamic values and cultural norms," she said.
Philip Cege, 28, an engineer from Kenya, said he used to enjoy watching the African version of Big Brother. He said the show was anything but racist.
"I like the diversity. They don't look at the colour of the people's skin, they just bring them from all over the world, including America and Europe," he said.
Engineer Tawfik Itani, 27, from Lebanon, said while some shows crossed the line that divides the acceptable from the unacceptable, others were still fine.
"I believe a lot of reality TV shows have gone too far. But there are some show makers that control the content of their reality TV programme in a way that is still acceptable and fun to watch. I used to watch some shows before but now I don't watch them anymore," he said.
Mohammad Zahir, from India, said reality television shows have gone too far.
"I don't even enjoy watching them. A few years back it was fun but now it has become too much," he said.
Indian accountant Mathew Mammen, 32, said people should not make too much fuss about the Shetty affair.
"She knew what she was getting into and should have expected some problems, so she should have taken it with more strength and in a more positive way.
"What happens in show-business is all about money and fame and she made some money from this and had more exposure," he said.
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