Heroes and Reality TV

Heroes and Reality TV

     At first glance, Reality TV and heroes seem to go together allot like oil and water, they just don’t mix.  Analyzing instead from a viewpoint based on current culture and the cult of celebrity however, they appear to be more related than one might think.   

     Based on the huge popularity of Reality TV today, even everyday “Joe’s” have become overnight celebrities from popular shows such as Jersey Shore, Dog the Bounty Hunter and even the Kardashian’s to some extent.  These new TV celebrities and personalities have all become household names due to their success in their Reality TV series.  Can regular people and even celebrities be considered as heroic?  It looks to me like the answer is a definite yes. 

     One controversial example might be the Kardashian’s.  Although they are often criticized for overexposure of their family in the media and a lack of any real talent, one has to admire their ability to sell themselves, their brand, and become a huge money making conglomerate in the process.  Is it possible then that they can be considered modern day heroes?  Whether you like them or not, you have to admit that they have mastered the ability to gain popularity with a vast amount of  loyal followers all while gaining huge profits.  This family has mastered not only Reality TV, but branding of their recognizable name and celebrity status to make a fortune, and it doesn’t appear it will stop anytime soon.

     Or can this be a personal illusion that when viewing someone who has some traits that appear to be admirable, it is truly more an example of the cult of celebrity instead?  Perhaps I have chosen to idolize them even though they don’t necessarily deserve the standing or maybe I am not educated enough myself to tell the difference.  I think not.  If hero status is in fact a personal thing, and I personally admire the Kardashian’s or anyone else’s ability for that matter, to make the best of the positive traits they possess, then why not?  As long as these qualities are in line with my personal beliefs and values, isn’t it conceivable they can be a hero to me?

     Furthermore, heroes are ever changing, just like I am.  When I was a child, my heroes were mythical cartoon characters or characters in books and were based on the stories that I loved more than character traits that I did not fully understand at that age.  Today my heroes are based on the values, goals and ethics I admire in the here and now.  As such, I can pick and choose characteristics within a person that to me are heroic.  I am not sure that one person today embodies every single character I look for in a hero, but I am certain you can find heroes anywhere, even on Reality TV, you just need to decide and look.  As you grow and change, your heroes too grow and change. 

     Even more exciting to me is that if that hero may fall and break, as they sometimes do, that can lead to a new and more meaningful opportunity once they are able to pick themselves back up again and become bigger and better for it.  How wonderful it is that through the power of media and technology, we have a chance to surround ourselves with heroic people we will never actually meet and only know from what we are able to view.  As long as we understand that what we admire are traits and maybe not always the whole person (or character they play), and realize that these celebrities are real people too, they can inspire and give us hope.  If they can do it, then certainly we can do it too. 

     Isn’t that really the best part of a true hero anyway?  One thing is for sure.  No matter where they come from; celebrities, families, friends and heroes from all places can help encourage us all to be a better “me”.  Heroes are our stars in the sky.  We may or may not always reach, but they serve as a visible goal to shoot for, and whether we make it all the way or not, we will certainly be better off if we reach for the stars and try.