Reality TV

Amazing Race has had a great impact on the relationships of some participants. Sarah and Peter from the current season have parted ways because she felt very put down and disregarded by him at certain points during their time together on the race. According to media reports, he did not apologise to her upon knowing of her unhappiness and even sought to defend his actions.

There were couples who had their love for each other reaffirmed as a result of the series. Tom and Terry realised each other's strengths during the race while Kendra wanted Frank to be the father of her future kids. This was poignant for me as it takes a lot for a woman to say that to a man.

I remember some other couples whose relationships had been tried during the series. Married couples start quarrelling with and blasting each other when things don't go their way. There was Lake and Michelle amongst others. When interviewed, they shrugged their fierce arguments off as part of their marriage life.

However, I realise that reality TV exaggerates what appears somewhat bad for the sake of viewers' entertainment. What is unreal appears authentic and the truth is compromised. Sometimes, certain angles of a situation are made to seem true or worse still, complete editing replaces the original happenings.

Perhaps Lake and Michelle's squabbling wasn't that serious but the way the producers portrayed it made it seem so. In The Apprentice, the latest candidate to be ousted from the competition was really fired because of his domineering and arrogant character, but viewers were made to think that it was because of his obesity.