Reality vs. Realism

I asked a good friend, "When I say reality what comes to mind?" She replied, "Well first I think of reality tv! Like MTV or Jersey Shore! But I guess you could think of it 'realistically' (no pun intended) and say that it's like growing up." But what exactly is 'Reality'? According to my reliable source google; reality is defined as all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you. Yet according to another internet source; reality is defined as the state of quality of being real. But if reality is being real...is that not being realistic? Hence, realism? Realism is defined as - the tendency to see things how they really are. To me reality and realism go hand and hand.

A&E: Real Life. Drama. One of A&E's most popular programs, Intervention, is about the realities facing addicts of many kinds. Each program follows one of two participants; each with their own addiction. Every addict believes that they are being filmed for a documentary on their problem. Their situations are actually being documented in anticipation of an intervention by their family and/or friends. Each addict has a choice..go into rehab immediately, or risk losing contact, income, or other privileges from their loved ones. Often other tactics are used to persuade the addicted person into treatment, these vary depending of the situation. Some of these include; threats to invoke outstanding arrest warrants, apply for custody of their children, foreclosing on the addict's property, and break-up of marriages or other relationships. Of course by the end of the episode your dieing to know if they recover from their addiction: The producers usually follow up months later to monitor the addicts progress and film it for "follow-up" episodes of the series. 

Although this show is 'reality tv' this is REAL LIFE. There are millions of people that go through addiction everyday and just because they don't get the chance to be on intervention doesn't mean they don't get help. I believe that if anything this show inspires people to fix their lives, to start fresh again, to get a second chance at life. Every time this show premiers there is a family out there watching and wishing that their loved one could be helped. But this show shows that it is possible!

"Intervention showcases individuals as they self-destruct and this draws people into watching the show." Says Matthew Gilbert a television critic from The Globe. Seeing a family and their loved one suffer brings in viewers. And not just that! The fact that we get to see what happens after they go to rehab.

Intervention is an amazing show that has helped so many people and it really connects with my personal life! I have had a friend go through an addiction and go to rehab. He has been sober for almost a year now. Although this addiction ruined his life..he is slowly starting his second chances and fix his life! I believe this show deserves their 2009 Emmy award for Outstanding Reality Program.