Reality+TV

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__Definition__
"Reality television is a genre of television programming which generally is unscripted documentation of actual events over fiction, and featuring "ordinary" people over professional actors. Although the genre has been featured since early years of television, the current explosion of popularity began approximately in 2000. Critics of the genre have claimed that the term is a misnomer, as many reality TV shows put the participants in exotic locations and/or abnormal situations." (Wikipedia 2006)

__Three Main Types__
There are three main types of reality television. ‘Fly on the wall’ filming (where the camera and the viewers are passive, observing the subject or subjects in their daily activities. ‘Fly on the wall’ filming provides documentary-like footage, the camera and crew rarely interfere. Interviews of certain participants are sometimes incorporated through the use of an off camera voice. Usually these types of reality television shows resemble soap operas due to their similar plots and have been labeled //docusoaps//.

The second type of reality television consists of participants that are competing to win a prize in an enclosed environment. This type of reality television is referred to as a ‘reality game show’. The difference between regular television game shows and reality ones (usually) is the viewer’s ability to participate by having an active role in deciding what the outcome will be. The voting system is generally used to determine the most or least popular contestants on the shows (ex. Survivor, American Idol). Another form within the reality game show sub-genre are shows such as ‘The Bachelor’ or ‘The Bachelorette’. This sub-genre is based on relationships where one contestant is introduced to a group of ‘contestants’ of the opposite sex. Over several weeks, the main contestant eliminates contestants (s)he is least interested in until (s)he finds their perfect ‘match’. The final episode usually involves a marriage proposal to the remaining contestant.

The third type of reality television works with hidden cameras that are constantly rolling when random ‘participants’ encounter a staged situation. This type of filming portrays human nature, and true reactions which tend to be comical. MTV’s ‘The Real World’ was probably the first reality television show to gain mainstream popularity and considered part of this category. This type of filming inspires ‘celebrity lives’ to be exposed in this style (ex. The Anna Nicole Show).

The control that producers have over the content and form of these shows creates doubt of how real, or true reality television is.

__Why People Watch It__
A detailed survey conducted using the Riess Profile - a standardized test of 16 basic desires and values - uncovered the reasons why Americans are addicted to reality television. Originally, two hypothesized reasons for watching reality television were for others to have a topic of conversation amongst their friends and coworkers as well as to increase the viewers self-esteem through witnessing the televised embarrassment of others. The results proved however that the main reasons people watch reality television are to encourage beliefs of self-importance. Since 'ordinary' people could draw the attention of millions by taking part in televised situations, viewers maintain a belief that they can also attain celebrity status. This desire for status separates the reality television viewers from other viewers and provides them with a feeling of superiority. The spirit for competition and the opportunity for retribution were additional aspects of reality shows that intrigue these viewers, as they themselves tend to be very competitive (Reiss 2001).

The succes of Reality TV can overall be attributed to human nature to want to look into people's lives; the part we don't get to see, the part we are not allowed to see (Johnson, 2001). This makes watching not only entertaining, but almost sinful, which makest the viewer feel adventourous without having to leave the safety of their homes. We do not like getting criticized, we do not like know what we lack, but viewers turn to reality TV for just that; to make a mockery and event out of other's weaknesses. Such as American Idol; we watch for all the comments, good and bad, that are given to the contestants (Millis, 2004). Even if the reality TV show is centered around self-improvement (Stanley, 2004), someone has to be verbally attacked for them to improve and its the contestants not the viewers.

The reason reality TV is so successful, and there are many reasons behind this. Reality TV, such as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, focus on makeovers. Such shows give the viewers tips and tricks, providing them professional advice on areas of life they can use on themselves (Millis, 2004). Viewers then don't need to spend money and time outside the home getting the help they may need, such as with clothes and hair. Season after season, reality TV shows know that they need newer and more interesting tactics to keep their viewers involved and interested, so as the shows go on, the stakes get higher, plots become more scandalous and more back-stabbing contestants are chosen (Johnson, 2001). Once reality TV shows get a fan base, the viewers start to feel a sense of security, that they show will always be there, and they will always get the help and/or entertainment they need (Insua, 2004).

Overall, one need to understand that reality TV shows are contrived, they are edited, they are planned and they are made to be sinful (Millis, 2004). Not only the makeres of the show, but also the people participating in the shows know that they are putting on a type "drama", some even call it "dramality" TV; part reality, part drama (Johnson, 2004). It's important to question and to see how accurately are the people, things, and events portrayed on reality TV. Because reality TVs are geared to popular demands by society and ofcourse much of its content is distorted to a certain degree to satisfy our demands and yet its questionable to see how real reality tv is.

[[image:http://www.ultimatejudgment.com/photo/p/120.jpg]] __Effects on Society__
Although reality shows in the past several years have become an immense part of society and has attracted viewers of all demographic groups, reality television is not exactly ideal. The content of many reality television shows depict and encourage unethical behaviour. For example, The Parents Television Council has conducted a study on the content of Reality Television shows. In many reality shows the content consisted of sexual references, foul language and/or violence. From the reality shows that were used in their study, they found there were 847 instances of sex, foul language and violence in 89.5 hours broadcast reality shows. Which this breaks it down to 9.5 times an hour that violence, sex or profanity occurs. In conclusion, the Parents Television Council has deemed reality television only contributes to unethical content aired on television and promotes sexual references, encourages violence and profanity. (Parents Television Council 2006)

__Examples__
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 * **Dating Shows/ Romance**
 * The Fifth Wheel
 * [|Blind Date]
 * [|The Bachelor]
 * [|The Bachelorette]
 * [|Temptation Island]
 * Average Joe*
 * Joe Millionaire
 * Room Raiders
 * [|Elimidate]
 * Flavour of Love
 * Date My Mom
 * **Competitive**
 * [|Survivor]
 * [|The Apprentice]
 * Canada's Next Top Model
 * America's Next Top Model
 * "Yo Mamma"
 * Canadian Idol
 * [|American Idol]
 * [|So You Think You Can Dance?]
 * Dancing with the Stars
 * The Amazing Race
 * Hell's Kitchen
 * **Self Improvement**
 * Pimp My Ride
 * Supernanny
 * Overhaulin'
 * [|Extreme Makeover]
 * Average Joe*
 * The Biggest Loser
 * [|Queer Eye for the Straight Guy]
 * Trading Spaces
 * Weighing In
 * Wife Swap
 * Made
 * **Social**
 * [|Big Brother]
 * The Real World
 * **Documentary-Type**
 * Laguna Beach
 * The Hills
 * 8th & Ocean
 * My supersweet 16
 * The Hills
 * Two-A-Days
 * The Hills
 * Two-A-Days


 * **Celebrity-Type**
 * Newlyweds[|The Girls Next Door]
 * The Surreal Life
 * The Osbournes
 * [|The Simple Life]
 * The Anna Nicole Show
 * Till Death Do Us Part
 * Chaotic
 * House of Carter
 * The Surreal Life
 * The Ashlee Simpson Show
 * Meet the Barkers
 * Hogan knows Best
 * Cheyenne
 * Punk'd

__**Works Cited**__
"Harsh Reality: Unscripted TV Reality Shows Offensive to Families." Reality Tv Study. 2006. Parents Television Council. 5 Nov. 2006 .

Insua, C. (2004). Queer Eye’s Jai Rodriguez. //Hispanic//, (17)11, 66-67. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/pqdwebindex=0&did=730763711&SrchMode=1&sid=4&Fmt=4&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1162363416&clientId=12520

Johnson, B.D. (2001). We like to Watch. Maclean’s, (114)5, 56-57. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/pqdlink?Ver=1&Exp=10-312011&FMT=7&DID=67859621&RQT=309

LaborLawTalk. (2006). __Reality Television.__ Available Online at: http://dictionary.laborlawtalk.com/Reality_television

Millis, N. (2004). Television and the politics of humiliation. Dissent, (51)3, 79-82. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/pqdlink?Ver=1&Exp=10-31-2011&FMT=7&DID=672917661&RQT=309

Reiss, Steven and James Wiltz (2001). __Why America Loves Reality TV.__ Psychology Today. Sept-Oct 2001. Available Online at: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1175/is_5_34/ai_82261905

Stanley, T.L. (2004). A kinder, gentler reality TV unfolds. //Advertising Age//, (75)22, 12. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/pqdwebindex=0&did=645551661&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1162362453&clientId=12520#fulltext

Wikipedia: Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_television.com

__**Images**__

Reality TV: http://www.gravitywell.com/docs/store_images/eotd/preview/reality_tv.gif Chicken: http://bulgaria.indymedia.org/usermedia/image/7/reality-tv.gif Man: http://www.ultimatejudgment.com/photo/p/120.jpg