Facing the Devastating Reality of Indulgent TV

Entertainment that erodes society and democracy

The iconic tv hits that Hollywood repeatedly relies on follow a pattern of showing Americans the fabulous lives of the rich and famous. High-end wardrobes, free spending, and end-all-be-all goals of extreme wealth are plastered all over our entertainment options. Exaggerated and staged as they may be, they paint a picture for viewers of the world as a playground for those with disposable incomes, making out-of-touch characters relatable and at times, admirable.

This tendency of show creators to present a wish-fulfillment world comes with two really big consequences.

First, inundation with shows that spotlight extreme wealth tilt our understanding of society. Studies¹ have shown that the more television a person watches, the more they relate to and sympathize with the uber rich. They also tend to identify with the idea that those with wealth and power deserve it based on their merit.²

It’s no wonder that the creator of The Apprentice apologized to the world for his role in Donald Trump’s rise. In an op-ed³ to US News and World Report this October, John D. Miller reflected on how the fictionalized way that he and his team presented Donald intentionally misled viewers. They hyped up his non-existent wealth and created an illusion that he was powerful and competent.

“At NBC, we promoted the show relentlessly. Thousands of 30-second promo spots that spread the fantasy of Trump’s supposed business acumen were beamed over the airwaves to nearly every household in the country. The image of Trump that we promoted was highly exaggerated. In its own way, it was “fake news” that we spread over America like a heavy snowstorm. I never imagined that the picture we painted of Trump as a successful businessman would help catapult him to the White House.”

In this very specific case, we can see a trend in culture happening right alongside a shift in how Americans view leadership. Wealth is a driver and a rationale for acceptance of problematic strongman authority. It glamorizes bullying, dishonesty, and corruption, and it erodes the public’s understanding of social norms and expectations.

Second, on a personal level, viewing television that features very wealthy people diminishes our everyday lived experiences. Research concludes that those who watch more television buy more luxury items- even if they can’t afford them⁴. They are also less satisfied with their income and lifestyles⁵.

In a captivating October interview with Conan O’Brien, Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson spoke about how she sees this phenomenon in the industry⁶.

“Part of the reason why I was longing to see something like my show was because wish fulfillment became the biggest thing. The biggest vibe, the biggest sell. People being sold what they are not in order to keep them in a cycle of, I’m not good enough…”

Quinta and Conan went on to reminisce about a time when more working class characters and places were prevalent in the cultural zeitgeist. They talked about how previous tv eras portrayed a more accurate reflection of society.

Specifically, they mentioned how a King of Queens plotline about a union strike was sort of unintended, informal education about the lives of everyday Americans. They discussed how with Abbott, viewers understand some of the struggles of the public education system just because of the setting.

It matters whose stories are told.

Quinta also observed the oddly skewed reception of her show, one set in an ordinary elementary school. She laughed as she talked about how her characters, which consist of public school teachers and the children who attend public schools, were treated sort of like downtrodden, impoverished people whose struggles were being charitably spotlighted. She said,

“To me, that world doesn’t look bad. That’s the world that I’m from. It was so funny when the show came out, and they were like (gasp) ‘these underrepresented, these poor, poor, poor children are finally…’ I was like, they’re just regular ass kids. They’re not that poor. Regular amount of American poor.”

Lately, the news entertainment industry has been facing an understandable backlash for promoting misleading headlines and broadcasting false statements. News outlets are facing a reckoning for not taking a critical look at themselves and for not prioritizing honest content over clickbait. It was a long time coming, but now there seems to be more of a hunger for accountability among consumers. Could this trend spread to other corners of the entertainment industry?

There are no ethics standards for entertainment professionals, no expectations for how they wield their very influential platforms. But maybe there should be.

Maybe there should be guidelines that entertainment networks have for showing narratives of people with more diverse financial backgrounds. Or a standard for not deceiving the audience without informed consent. Maybe sponsors who have the potential to influence content decision making should be disclosed, and conflicts of interest (i.e. funding from political entities, stake in relevant products or industries, etc.) should be disclaimed.

What would it look like if a production’s ethical stances and responsibility to the public were the first page of its “show bible”?

Entertainment is one industry where people at all levels of power can make a difference. From studio executives and show creators to actors and writers, tiny decisions about how they showcase the world make a big difference in the way that their audiences understand it. Whether they mean to or not, they are shaping our collective culture and character.

Likewise, as consumers of entertainment, we should be thoughtful about what we take in. No one is immune from the influence of the entertainment industry. We are all susceptible to its hidden messaging.

This week, I challenge you to take a critical look at the shows and movies you watch. Ask yourself about the reality they are presenting and how it contrasts with what you experience first hand. Reflect on how the entertainment you watch makes you feel about your world and your life. Then decide if you want to be fed those ideas and feelings before you continue to tune in.

If we are going to combat extremism and unfair politics, we must be deliberate and conscious in every part of our lives. We must change what stories we tell and what stories we accept. From every camera at every angle, our sights must focus on a way out of corruption and greed and into a better future.

With love and hope for the future,

Stephanie

There are so many rabbit holes to go down here! Let me know what you think.

Where do you see possibilities for change in the entertainment industry?

What shows do you think uplift the working and lower classes?

1. Framing Class: Media Representations of Wealth and Poverty in America

2. Examining the role of television programmes in legitimisinginherited wealth and privilege for the super-rich in a societythat values meritocracy

3. We Created a Monster: Trump Was a TV Fantasy Invented for 'The Apprentice'

4. The Role of Television in the Construction of Consumer Reality

5. Income Aspirations, Television and Happiness: Evidence from the World Values Survey

6. Quinta Brunson on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, October 7, 2024