Television
Television is very popular in the United States. Some people are interested in different topics than other people so there are different networks where shows that are linked to one topic are aired. For example, crime shows on A&E, cooking shows on Food Network, and kids shows on Disney Channel. Shows are aired in seasons and if they don’t get enough views, they’ll be cancelled. I think that writers & directors should look to other people for advice on how to improve their shows so that they’ll stay popular and on air.

Television is a big part of most people’s lives. I think that people that write the scripts for TV shows should try asking other writers for advice on how to improve their shows so that people won’t get tired of them & stop watching. A lot of people are switching from the TV to the internet to find better things to watch. Websites like Netflix and Hulu are becoming more and more popular. On these websites, you are required to pay a certain fee of about $8 to $10 every month in order to watch an unlimited number of movies and TV shows instead of having to sit through commercials and having to pay $15 to see a movie in a crowded movie theater while also having to pay $10 for a package of candy. YouTube has also become very popular over the past few years. There a variety of things that people record. Some do comedy, cooking, gaming, music, and more. Some youtubers film what they do everyday which are called daily vlogs. They take the camera around with them everywhere and record what they’re up to. People enjoy coming home from a long day of school or work and having something interesting to watch.

Another problem with television is that people are spending way too much time in front of it. According to www.nydailynews.com, Americans spend an average of 34 hours watching TV each week. Instead of doing that they could be spending time with their family or friends. Also, almost every television show is negative such as reality TV shows, the news, and soap operas. What you’re watching could quickly change your mood from good to horrible. Also, some programs are designed to make you feel bad about yourself so that you’ll buy their products that claim to make you beautiful such as proactiv, makeup companies, perfume ads, and weight loss programs. Lots of people give into these commercials and end up spending $80 for a cream that claims to make wrinkles disappear or $30 for a tortilla maker.

Another problem with TV is that all shows that claim to be real are mostly scripted. A lot of reality TV shows like Jersey Shore or Teen Mom follow real people and document what happens in their “normal lives”. Producers like to include fake or exaggerated scenes in these shows to keep people watching. Toddlers & Tiaras is a show where moms make their daughters compete in pageants and have loads of makeup applied all over their bodies. This show is actually pretty entertaining but it’s also messed up because most of the children that are featured don’t want anything to do with being filmed or even participating in the pageant. Shows like these also give you unrealistic expectations. I’m pretty sure you wouldn't be living without your parents when you’re only 16 years old.

Counterclaim: Television is a very important part of everyday life for some people. Producers do a great job at creating new stories to build off of. Reruns are also a great part of TV because you can relive your favorite and least favorite moments while waiting for a new episode of your favorite show. Reality shows are also great. Looking into the crazy lives of some people is really entertaining and since it’s called “Reality TV” I’m sure it’s got to be what happens in their everyday life; how could they make it scripted? Websites like YouTube and Netflix are also a waste of time & money. Why would you want to watch what people do in their everyday lives or pay $9 a month to watch an unlimited number of movies and TV shows when you’re already paying your monthly Verizon or Comcast bill for your TV?

Television is getting less interesting everyday. More people are relying on the internet to entertain them because the television shows that are aired these days are too crazy or boring for some people. Also, people have decided to stop watching TV because it puts them in a bad mood or makes them less confident about their appearance. Also, young children and teenagers are thinking that their life is going to be the same as the cast of Jersey Shore if they move to Seaside Heights in New Jersey. I think that television is entertaining sometimes but most of the time it’s just a bunch of reruns of old shows. What do you think? Do you prefer the television or the internet?