Is it actually REALity Television?

In American reality television shows, the central focus tends to be two distinct things: negativity and socioeconomic status.  The issue behind this, despite generating a great deal of viewers, is that it affirms an already negative connotation of American culture and society.  Why is it that reality television targets and exploits negativity?

I feel that this exploitation is directed at each end of the socioeconomic scale.  That being the wealthy and the poor.  Apparently it’s easier to base reality shows on the extremities of economic status, rather than those who are somewhere in the middle (i.e. the middle class).  With that being said, those who are at the extreme ends of the scale usually have a corresponding and erratic behavior.  By that, I mean that the characteristics of the rich and the poor are usually exhibited easier than those of the middle class.  The rich are usually portrayed as being pompous, selfish, and generally ignorant towards those of lower status.  On the other end of the spectrum, the poor are commonly characterized as being unpleasant and lacking manners.  My only question is: Why?

Why is it that these shows seem to omit the middle class? Is it because their lifestyles aren’t as excessive as the poor and the rich?  Or perhaps it’s because said lifestyles aren’t interesting enough and therefore would not receive as much recognition.  What ever the reason may be, I find it whole concept of reality television disturbing.  The producers of these shows only care about the number of viewers, rather than the quality of their programs.

In order for these shows to actually be considered “reality television” I think two things should happen.  For starters, the content needs to tone down on the negative characteristics of the main characters.  By that I mean that their lifestyles and behaviors shouldn’t be so scrutinized.  Secondly, I think that the “average” or “real” American (who are the casts in these shows) should be better represented.  Opening up the focus to ALL socioeconomic statuses could achieve this.  By doing these two things, we (as well as the rest of the world) could have a less skewed outtake on what a REAL American citizen is.