Reality Television: The Good in America's Got Talent

I spoke today with a very good friend and we discussed the possibilities of Reality Television. I mentioned that America's Got Talent has a new presenter, Nick Cannon, an African American Male. Then I got home at approximately 2 p.m. California time and called my brother-in-law. By coincidence, he was watching America's Got Talent at 10 p.m. Irish time in a remote rural area in the West of Ireland. Reality TV is very popular and it penetrates the world.

It is very easy to criticize (negatively) reality TV. We can discount the whole genre with little effort which, btw, is one of the oldest genres known to TV. Variety shows were at the start of television.

There is more of a challenge in finding some positive social elements in reality television. I suggest that there are some positives available in this genre. This is not by way of saying that reality TV is the best thing ever - it is not - but why do we have to point out the uselessness of the most popular genre continuously without at least attempting to see some positive social developments through reality television?

The new presenter, Nick Cannon, who replaces Jerry Springer is a member of an ethnic minority which is under represented on TV. Surely we can muster the energy to acknowledge this move towards equality. Again, this is not life changing but it is a move in the right direction. We know that the judge panel is 66% White Male, 66% British and 100% white but at least the presenter brings some level of attempting equality?

In the show last night, a group of three siblings came on and sang God Bless America. Let's not dwell on the assertion of patriotic values blatantly at a time of war, but rather let us see again this increased representation of an ethnic minority family. Let us not criticize for the lop-sided representation of gender on stage with 2 males and 1 female. Just for a moment let us appreciate that on prime time television on a Tuesday night in June, 2009, a trio of siblings from an African American family took the stage on America's Got Talent. (If you have not seen the video please follow the link)

We could find other negative criticisms if we wanted to, but slow down and just let the piece sink in: A story about three siblings whose mother's 8 month coma brought out in them a desire to sing for their mother's life. Beautiful singing, heart warming story with a happy ending - the mother came out on stage too.

We could voice concerns about the exploitation of a personal family story for commercial gain, we could wonder if this experience will have dire consequences for the stability of the siblings - And these are all valid concerns.

But for now let us just appreciate that Reality Television has brought into our lives a great American story of resolve, strong will, joy, love, music, ethnic representation, lime-light, innocence, humans at their best, and talent.

Whether for good or for bad, America does have talent. To quote Nick Cannon as he addressed the family "Whatever happens, you guys know there was something powerful here today."

Yes there was.