Reality television is a kind of television programming which, it is claimed, presents unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and features ordinary people rather than professional actors. It could be described as a form. of artificial or heightened documentary. Although it has existed in some form. or another since the early years of television, the current explosion of popularity dates from around 2000. Reality television covers a wide range of television programming formats, from game or quiz shows which resemble the crazy, often demeaning (贬低人的) programs produced in Japan in the 1980s and 1990s, to monitor focused productions such as Big Brother. Critics say that the term 'reality television' is somewhat of a misnomer (误称) and that such shows frequently portray a modified and highly influenced form. of reality, with participants put in special locations or abnormal situations, sometimes coached to act in certain ways by off-screen handlers, and with events on screen manipulated through editing and other post-production techniques. Part of reality television's appeal is due to its ability to place ordinary people in extraordinary situations. For example, on the ABC show, The Bachelor, a male dates a dozen women at the same time, traveling on extraordinary dates to scenic places. Reality television also has the potential to turn its participants into national celebrities, outwardly in talent and performance programs such as Pop Idol, though frequently Survivor and Big Brother participants also reach some degree of celebrity. Some critics have said that the name 'reality television' is an inaccurate description for several styles of program included in the kind. In competition-based programs such as Big Brother and Survivor, and other special-living-environment shows like The Real World, the producers design the format of the show and control the day-to-day activities and the environment, creating a completely fabricated(杜撰的) world in which the competition plays out. Producers specifically select the participants, and use carefully designed plots, challenges, events, and settings to encourage particular behaviors and conflicts. Mark Burnett, creator of Survivor and other reality shows, has agreed with this assessment, and avoids the word 'reality' to describe his shows he has said, 'I tell good stories. It really is not reality TV. It really is unscripted drama.' In the first sentence, the writer says 'it is claimed' because ______.