Reality or Fiction

I, like many others, find myself drawn to the drama, chaos, glamour, and intrigue of others' lives. Especially when it can be viewed from the privacy of my home (or on my phone). Insert reality television. Reality television has become a huge part of today's programming.

The first reality television series was An American Family, which debuted in 1973 on PBS. It followed, as you might guess, a family around; peeking into their daily lives. The Loud family was the subject of this first of it's kind programming. What millions of viewers saw was a wife infuriated by her husband's cheating and eventually asking for a divorce. Viewers also watched as the children dealt with their parent's reltionship in addition to their own lives.

MTV introduced us to The Real World in the 90's. A show, which still is in production, that put seven strangers in one house (or apartment). A type of social experiment, really. Cameras followed the seven strangers in their daily lives in and outside the home. There would be fights, drama, and love interests. Topics such as racism and HIV were heavily touched on, as they are a huge part of society.

Let's not forget the Bravo network and E! Entertainment's contributions to the reality tv game. Shows such as The Real Housewives, Keeping Up With The Kardashian's, and Below Deck allow viewers to step inside a world previously on dreamt about. camers follow around celebrities and the super rich in what is suppposed to be an effort to show how they are somewhat like everyone else. Parties, expensive houses, dinners out, and vacations in amazing locations are just a few of the things showcased on these shows.

The draw of reality television is the ability to somewhat experience a different life than your own. To see how other people live and interact on a daily basis in their environments. While it is called reality television, much of it has been said to be scripted and intensified for ratings.

If you are looking for something to watch that will give you the same reality show fix, I suggest Downton Abbey. Yes, the highly popular British period television drama series that ran for 6 seasons.

The pilot episode kicks off in 1912 with the news of the sinking of the Titanic. Viewers follow the Crawley's, a wealthy British family, through the ups and downs of the times. We see them struggle in life, love, and finances. My favorite part of the series is that we also get to see the servants. How they live, work, and function as part of the household. Their feelings and reactions to the family that employs them is scene, as well. Normally, a show only allows viewers to see the glitz and glamour, if you will, of a story. Downton Abbey pulls the curtain on the aristocratic household to show what is going on behind the scenes.

Don't be fooled into thinking this is a night time soap opera for the masses. There is definetly love, loss, and drama. . Other subjects and real life events such as the First world War, the Spanish Influenza, the Marconi scandal, the Irish War of Independence, and the Teapot Dome scandal are depicted throughout the seasons.

If you are one of the millions of television viewers that love to relax to a little reality television, I highly recommend viewing Downton Abbey. It can be streamed on BritBox and Peacock, currently. Don't be surprised if you learn a little bit of history while also craving tea and biscuits.