Reality television—it’s a fact of life these days, reality shows filling lots of programming slots and they’re a topic of much discussion amongst fans. In truth, it’s difficult to switch on the television and not hit one of the many reality shows gracing our screens.
So what is a reality show? Wikipedia defines reality shows as a television show that’s unscripted, shows dramatic or humorous events and features the man on the street instead of professional actors.
When I first considered writing this article, I thought reality shows were a modern invention. Not so. According to my research, reality television shows have been around since the late 1940s. Shows such as Candid Camera, You Asked For It and the Miss America Pageant were around in the late 40s and early 50s.
During the 2000s the popularity of reality shows exploded. Millions of us tune in to watch American Idol, Survivor, The Amazing Race and Fear Factor to name a few of the shows currently screening.
Reality shows fall into several categories:
1. Documentary
People are filmed while completing their daily activities. Sometimes plots are constructed or planned with the participants taking part in prescribed activities. Sometimes the environment is a specific one for example the 1900 House with the participants stuck in a time warp or Temptation Island where couples are on an island.
Other examples of this type of reality show include celebrities ones such as The Osbournes or The Simple Life. The Truman Show starring Jim Carey is also an example of a documentary reality show, albeit in the form of a movie where the star was filmed secretly for 24 hours a day as part of the movie plot. A great film, BTW.
2. Elimination
The participants take part with the aim of winning a prize. One by one they’re eliminated and the last person takes the prize. American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, The Biggest Loser and America’s Got Talent all fall into this category.
3. Makeover
An expert or group of experts take ordinary people and “improve” or make them over. Examples are Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, Extreme Makeover, and What Not to Wear.
4. Renovation
Several shows concentrate on renovating homes and work spaces. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is a show that fits into this category.
Some reality show participants have found fame after their appearances such as Idol stars. Others have become media celebrities or gone on to host television shows. Love them or hate them the current popularity of reality shows means they’re here to stay. Boundaries are pushed, making some shows contentious and controversial. Some shows are unabashedly sexual. A fairly new show The Moment of Truth where contestants are asked questions about their lives and things they have done certainly pushes past my comfort zone. It makes me wonder about the reality shows of the future. How far will we push under the guise of entertainment?
I thought about reality shows and the future not long ago and came up with two futuristic stories. Sex Idol features Antonio and Sasha, reunited lovers who compete for first prize in the inaugural Sex Idol contest. Fallen Idol features Bob and Rafi, old friends who compete for the first prize and find love along the way. Both of these stories feature elimination type reality shows. You can read excerpts for both stories at my website.
What do you think about reality shows? Like them or hate them? Do you have any favorites? (I’ll admit to an American Idol addiction)
Hubby keeps a tight grip on that remote!
My general feeling about reality television is:
I’m not really a fan, they tend to exploit the worst side of humanity and broadcast it for public consumption. That said, I admit that my dirty little secret show is America’s Next Top Model. Oh, the shame!
by Crystal Jordan May 19th, 2008 at 4:40 pmCrystal, I feel the same way about some of the shows. I’ve never watched America’s Next Top model contest. It’s usually more peaceful to save the fights over the remote for the shows that really matter.
Hubby keeps a tight grip on that remote!
by Shelley Munro May 19th, 2008 at 5:10 pmFor the most part — and it’s nearly every part — I hate reality TV. I don’t find amusement or entertainment in watching people squirming in discomfort. I’ve watched two reality shows.
I watched one season of The Amazing Race because my cousin was one of the editors. It was bearable and I did learn some things about some of the places they visited. But some of the cattiness was not pleasant.
And I do watch Dancing with the Stars. For the most part, it’s enjoyable. The judges aren’t too critical and they aren’t nasty (like American Idol) and it’s really amazing to watch some of the stars dance.
But overall, I dislike them. And I have one more reason — they’re pushing dramatic television out. And I work in dramatic television and it’s tough in the industry.
Chloe
by Chloe Devlin May 19th, 2008 at 6:36 pmChloe - we have a New Zealand version of Dancing with the Stars that’s very popular. I didn’t watch it this season since it went so late. Our judges can be fairly cutting.
These days hubby and I tend to drag out a DVD rather than watch reality shows, although I have to admit I had fun writing the stories that the ideas sparked.
by Shelley Munro May 20th, 2008 at 2:03 pm