Summary of my group project: Reality Shows and Philosophy

Basketball Wives L.A. and Buddhist philosophy

Basketball Wives is a reality show that follows about 7 women in L.A., California who are married or have been married to a current or former NBA player. Surprisingly most of the women are either former girlfriends, ex-wives, or have never been married to an NBA player. As with most reality shows of today Basketball Wives must have an element of drama to the show. However upon watching the show it can be concluded that the drama is throughout the show in abundance, every preview is about whom will “backstab” who, or which “wife” is going to fight the next one. With so much animosity, deceit, and selfishness, I figured what better philosophy to contrast this distasteful show with than Buddhism. In ancient India the Buddha was very concerned with the suffering he saw going on in his land; he was so concerned that he came up with a noble way of living that would combat this suffering. This self transformation was, at its foundation, known as the four noble truths, and the way to liberation known as the Eightfold Path of Buddhism. The Buddhist believed that much of suffering and problems came from our selfish cravings and everything that went along with selfish cravings; selfish ambition, vanity, etc. they believed that this eightfold path could assist in eliminating the selfishness and lead one on the path to Nirvana. So how does this tie in with reality shows, particularly Basketball Wives? Well as I said earlier the show has a large element of drama, and just like suffering the drama was brought about by selfish actions. These women slander each other with gossip and hurtful words towards one another, while Buddhists believe that right speech (one of the eightfold paths of Buddhism) is a way to liberation, or in this case a drama-free lifestyle. Some other guidelines in the Eightfold Path are right seeing, right thinking, right action, right living, etc. all of these clearly contrary to most of the aspects in the show. This philosophy can be compared to numerous popular reality shows; Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, The Real World etc. many of which have the reoccurring theme of misplaced drama. I say misplaced because I honestly believe that the drama is planned out, scripted, and not reality at all, but placed in the shows just for propaganda, to gain ratings. Therefore, according to Buddhism the show is NOT beneficial to society or a “suffering”-free, liberating life.