Jennifer Pozner: Reality TV Critic


Written on September 28, 2010 – 7:09 pm | by Gabriella

How do you critique reality television when it’s supposed to be about real life and human behaviors? Media critic, Jennifer Pozner, critiques reality television by exposing its lies, analyzing stereotypes and discovering what it all means about society.

Pozner started as a journalist writing about women in the media and women empowerment. When reality television boomed she started critiquing how women were portrayed in reality series. Through her blog, twitter account, articles, lectures and book, Pozner has become a serious reality television critic.

Her blogs, WIMN: Women in Media & News and Reality Bites Back, have witty critiques on specific reality series and her analysis of women on the shows. Her writing is woven with sarcasm, humor and research creating a solid point; reality television is a guilty pleasure that’s degrading women.

In her enlightening lecture, “Project Brainwash: Why Reality TV is Bad for Women (…and Men, People of Color, The Economy, Love, Sex and Sheer Common Sense!),“ Pozner goes beyond critiquing, she analyzes why reality shows put people in stereotypes. She uncovers answers to reality industries secrets, like, who profits from reality shows and why are certain shows created?

If her blogs and lectures aren’t enough, this media critic also has published a book, which hits shelves in November. “Reality Bites Back: The Troubling Truth About Guilty Pleasure TV,” exposes reality shows in their raw form by removing all fairytale qualities. Pozner has also had her work published in numerous publications like Newsday and Chicago Tribune. She has offered commentary on CNN, FOX, MSNBC, ABC News and has been a guest speaker for many events. She has won a few awards and was even named one of “20 Inspiring Women to Follow on Twitter”.

Pozner may have started out as a feminist journalist but her critiques and thorough investigation of reality television have made her someone to listen to. She has immersed herself into the reality television world, seeking the truth behind it and she won’t stop. Her fan base is growing causing her to be a powerful critic and an enemy to reality television.

Listen to Pozner yourself and watch her interview with The Today Show, for “What Women Want to Watch on TV,” to hear her talk about women on reality television and other issues.

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  1. 2 Responses to “Jennifer Pozner: Reality TV Critic”

  2.   By monda on Sep 29, 2010 |

    The WIMN website is a great place to see the feminist perspective and I am happy you have added that link in your review. When watching shows like “Real Housewives” and “Jersey Shore” you can’t help but feel women are being portrayed in a very negative light. I also think Jennifer Pozner is a great critic who is transforming the way people look at reality television. This is a great article I reviewed for another class about women in reality shows.

    Check it out: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1385688/reality_shows_and_the_perpetuation.html?cat=9

  3.   By dkois on Oct 20, 2010 |

    Very good post. 10/10

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