Necessity of Reality

Reality television is a common past time between families and a great way to pass the time (or one of the worst ways). They offer many entertaining situations as seen by well known shows such as Fear Factor and Survivor. Though those shows may seem like a complete waste of time, it is amusing, without a doubt. Their primary purpose is to entertain, although some hold merits and benefits beyond the entertainment of others. As mentioned by Alessandra Stanley in her article “Here’s Reality: ‘Idol’ Feeds Hopefuls to a Shaky Music Business”, the “winner is given a recording contract with BMG and a management contract with 19 Entertainment”. This gives incentive for individuals, despite the sketchy background in which they may be entering.

Bait Car is a reality TV show in which cops stage an arrest, and leave a car unattended with the keys inside, in plain sight. With hidden cameras and radio signaling in the car, criminals are unaware of police watch. They take the car, not knowing that it was rigged and set so that they would be caught eventually, as the camera captures their facial image. Upon stealing, the car locks from the inside and shuts off, immobilizing the criminal to get arrested.

This show has many appeals; there is no doubt that many individuals enjoy watching shows where criminals get caught for doing unjust actions. The fact that it is real makes it even better. Wherever there is an accident on the freeway or on local streets, drivers tend to slow down to simply watch what had happened, causing traffic along the road ways. This is nothing different from that same event, both in the show as well as the viewers. The criminals observe the set up, the individual “arrested” by the cops before hand, and move in to take the car after the coast is clear. Most videos show criminals scoping the area out, several minutes after the arrest of the fake criminal, to check for cops to witness the theft. Television viewers simply love to watch criminals being taken out by the law, as any individual would love to see justice. Cartoons and movies are clear examples in which protagonists and antagonists are clearly seen, and in reality, criminals would be the antagonists and the cops would be the protagonists.

Bait Car is still being continued today, and cops continue to carry out arrests using this method, in several cities, namely within the Los Angeles county and Las Vegas. I think it’s very successful in the sense that it captures criminals using a smarter method, because it captures those who really had a criminal intent. Records indicate that many criminals captured through this method already had some sort of criminal record before hand as well, so this supports our law enforcement by weeding out criminals who deserve justice. This show will continue because of the many viewers who will tune in to watch “good old justice”. Who wouldn’t support shows that give us entertainment and justice at the same time?