Real life, no matter how extreme the circumstance is mostly mundane. The distant threat of potential danger doesn't satisfy the short attention span of the average viewer. Producers without a clue as to what real life actually is, direct the shows subject characters to manufacture drama for the show. Drama that ironically turns out to be very unrealistic.
It's called "Altered Reality" or "Reality through the Lens" -- Afterall, much like commercials, their intent is to grab viewer attention and keep it. For instance, in shows like COPS, the camera crew will drive around with a department for an entire week and then cut the best bits together and make a more dramatic 30 minute show!
That's an example of Reality Through the Lens. (Condensed Reality) Like that Campbell's chicken soup.
"A lens, or a filter, changes and
transforms what you see. It can alter reality from the “true”, and give
you a distorted or inaccurate view. Or it may help you focus on
important things that otherwise you could not see."
Showbiz -- I love movies but hate shows that tell me this is soooooo real it's scary.
Example : Ghost Adventurers on the Travel Channel
Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience -- Mark Twain How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain
Replies
That's an example of Reality Through the Lens. (Condensed Reality) Like that Campbell's chicken soup.
Showbiz -- I love movies but hate shows that tell me this is soooooo real it's scary.
Example : Ghost Adventurers on the Travel Channel
How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain