TV and Real Life The text mentioned the impact of TV on our daily lives. This activity asks you to assess how “real” TV is compared with what we see and do every day. You are to watch two hours of TV....

TV and Real Life The text mentioned the impact of TV on our daily lives. This activity asks you to assess how “real” TV is compared with what we see and do every day. You are to watch two hours of TV. Watch shows that fictionally portray real life (sporting events, the news, and documentaries are not appropriate for this activity). Take detailed notes on the characters, commenting on their clothing, body types, occupations, social class, race, ethnic group, age, and so forth. Then venture out into the real world, to a public place such as a park, laundromat, mall, bus terminal, or airport, and observe for two hours. (It might be easier to do this one hour at a time.) Concentrate on several people, and note the same features that you did for the TV characters. You might want to focus on shows that portray teens or the elderly and then observe members of that group. (Remember the ethics of doing research, and do not invade a subject’s privacy without permission.) Write a paragraph comparing the characters on television with those you observed in real life.