Analyse af 'When lab rat TV goes too far'

It’s early February morning 2009. Respectively ten boys and ten girls have arrived in their exciting new surroundings – a completely new environment which offers new opportunities to get to know one another. With comfortable beds, stocks of food, necessities and toys, they have everything they can possibly need. Indeed this social experiment has been a great entertainment for its million viewers watching the TV show on Channel 4, but it has also been the cause of harsh critics, negativity and the source of the many ethical questions raised. In the article “When lab rat TV goes too far”, James Donaghy shares his opinion upon children’s participation in reality shows such as Boys and Girls Alone, aired on Channel 4 in February 2009. It is the order of a new arranged marriage show, which has created big disturbance in the young freelance writer’s life – he is ready to fight and defend.

The plot for the upcoming reality show, which CBS has ordered, leaves James Donaghy thinking, if it’s possible for anyone to defend an arranged marriage reality show, where four adults will wed a stranger chosen by their friends and family. James associates this new entertainment show with previous high rated shows such as Beauty and the Geek, Baby Borrowers and Supersize vs. Superskinny, which all, as he states, have had their moments of brilliance and stupidity. They have all experienced both successful and unsuccessful times in the past. In his article, James Donaghy explains, how the shows are looked at, from two different points of views. The reality shows are mainly a source of entertainment, but as the show proceeds further into the lives of these innocent young victims, we’re all left feeling queasy and somehow nauseous. He refers to the hit show, Boys and Girls Alone, where he further into the article explains, how the viewers are in shock, watching the children and their wit, insight and perceptiveness, only to also find their selfishness, egocentricity and bullying.