Welcome to the TV and Reality Quiz

Compare your family to one portrayed on a TV show, and figure out what's similar and what's different. Play this game with your friends or family and see what you come up with.

My life

TV Life
Who lives together as a family?    
Where do they live? House? Apartment?    
What do kids and/or parents talk about?    
What do kids and/or parents fight about?    
What do they spend money on?    
What's important to the kids?    

How does TV measure up to the reality quiz?


Almost every home in America has a TV set, and most people have a special relationship with TV. You probably do too.

Here are some questions to help you think about the way YOU relate to television. You might want to discuss them with your family, or invite your friends over and answer them together.

  1. Can you remember how old you were when you first started watching TV? Did you watch alone or with your family?
  2. What were your favorite shows now? Why?
  3. Make a list of activities that you do in a week. Why are these activities important to you? How many hours do you spend doing each one?
  4. If there were no TV's in the world, how do you think you'd spend most of your time?

The next time you watch TV, look closely at people's eyes. hair, clothes and skin. Listen to their tone of voice and how they respond to each other. Notice what they do, where they live and where they go to school. Does it look like your life?

LOOK & ASK

  1. Do the girls and women on TV look like you or anyone you know? Do the girls behave like you and your friends?
  2. Do the females in your favorite shows work outside the home? What kind of jobs do they have? Do you know anyone who has this kind of job?
  3. Think of three girl characters who are similar to you and three who are different from you. Ask your friends to do the same.

LISTEN & ASK

  1. On your favorite show, do the characters talk about things you talk about with your friends and family? What's different?
  2. Can you imagine yourself talking like your favorite character on TV? How are your different from her or him/ How are you similar?
  3. With a friend or family member, try writing the lines that you want your favorite character to say.
  1. Who is the strongest, smartest and boldest girl on television? Why?
  2. Who is the strongest, smartest and boldest women on television? Why?
  3. What girl or woman on TV is not strong, smart and bold?