Reality Television Deprivation

by guest blogger Rev. Dr. Nicole Sebastian, B.A.A.S., CAC-R, ACE-CPT, ICADC, D.D.

The Sociology of Reality TV can be summed up in the phrase: What you see is NOT what you get! In other words, things are not as they appear. As a Celebrity Life Coach and Therapist on several different reality shows, my experience has been one of manipulation and control. The producers and creators fabricate the drama and manipulate each guest through a maze of contrived scenarios and scripts to play to the lowest common denominator intelligence. This type of television contains minimal substance and plays to the lack of focus and attention of the general audience who watch this sort of Reality show.

“Reality TV has become an American Drug of Choice! Specifically, TV acts like a muffler on our imagination. Imagination is food for the Soul and Reality TV has caused an American Famine. As a Sociologist, I feel that the medium itself is neutral. However, today’s reality TV leaves one numb and dumb and lost in an electronic stupor! In other words, that giant flat screen at the center of our home keeps us frozen in darkness and drama! We walk around with these mini-dramas in our heads and the next time we are confronted with a similar social context, we respond with the emotion of the original programming. We get involved in electronic dramas and lose sight of our own original drama called Life.” – Nicole Sebastian, “Sociology of Soul: A Spiritual Wake-Up Call,” p. 70-71

The real issue is not the quality of the programming but the medium itself! TV is an Addiction and like any addiction—it’s destructive! The real challenge to our sanity and national psyche is to pick up the remote and hit the off button. If you think you aren’t addicted to TV, try turning it off for an entire week. The simple truth is that most Americans cannot do without TV for one day, let alone one week. TV Deprivation is the first step to bringing back balance and harmony to a fractured, addled and unfocused psyche.

In the book, Sociology of Soul, I chronicle what happens when you turn the TV off. The transformation is absolutely stunning. It improves relationships, one’s sex life, diet, exercise, communication, and sleep patterns to name a few; even our dreams are infused with TV shows because most people sleep with the television on.

As a Sociologist, I challenge all my clients to embrace the TV Deprivation Challenge and simply Turn-Off the Tube and go for a walk or talk to a friend or speak to your spouse for the first time in a long time. You will notice that even your diet improves when the TV is off. It gives you more time to prepare your food with attention and love as opposed to the electronic vibration of Realty TV getting infused into your daily supper. No wonder so many people are overweight, depressed, stressed out and addicted to drugs.

Reach over and hit that remote and listen to the Silence —- you have taken the first step toward Recovery…Congrats!!

-Rev. Dr. Nicole Sebastian, B.A.A.S., CAC-R, ACE-CPT, ICADC, D.D.

Featured on A&E, E!, VH1, and countless others, Rev. Dr. Nicole Sebastian, B.A.A.S., CAC-R, ACE-CPT, ICADC, D.D. is the Co-Founder of Divine Guidance Institute and Wellness Center Inc., as well as a Celebrity Life Coach, Expert Decision Coach, Author, Celebrity Dream Expert, Relationship Expert, Certified Fitness Trainer, Certified Nutrition Counselor, Certified Addiction Counselor, DUI Specialist, Certified Smoking Cessation Counselor, and Ordained Minister.