Talk Shows Essay, Research Paper
Talk shows are often interesting, but sometimes strange, television shows to watch. Much
of what talk shows portray is for ratings, but if it is true, then this is also a part of our society. I
believe talk shows are an accurate reflection of our society; they deal with human conditions and
true stories, whether common or uncommon.
One talk show featured reuniting families with lost family members. For example, one
woman?s parents made her give up her baby at birth. The mother of the child had been searching
for her daughter for twenty years and was unable to find her. She had called the show to see if the
talk show personnel could find her missing daughter. The talk show reunited the mother and
daughter six months later on television. Subject matter such as this is interesting enough to
attract viewers without being offensive and objectionable.
In another example, a woman came out on a show talking about how she wished she could
sleep with her best friend (another woman). She went on to ask to her friend if she would
participate in this act. This outlandish behavior caused her to lose her best friend.
Many shows feature guests with problems or situations which may not be things everyone
wants to acknowledge, but these situations are still a part of life. For instance a man brought his
mother on a show and told her he was involved in a sexual relationship with another man. Stories
like these keep people watching and keep these types of show on the air.
Some of the most sensational shows go so far as to expose the public to bizarre fetishes
and perversions of guests. Some of these may be offensive and even foreign to most viewers, but
others may like to watch. For example, a woman was on a show talking about how she was a
dominatrix, and she loved to tie up and beat men for cheap thrills. She had gone so far as to wear
her leather suit and thigh-high boots on stage. She brought one of her many men with her. She
went on to ask one of the audience members if he would like to be tied up and beaten. Many
people do not care to see this kind of ?entertainment,? but, again, this is a part of the world in
which we live.
Many people say they don?t care for these types of shows, but it would be highly unlikely
they would stay on the air if they were not popular with some segment of the population. All the
experiences are a true part of our society, but may be hidden from the public eye. Talk shows fill a
need for some individuals to vicariously experience the strange activities of others.