Reality TVKEY CONCEPT: Representation

Compare these two clips, how real are they?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJaY9EO7Ej4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivx3uOfHz4k

ALL reality TV shows are constructed to a certain degree, whether that’s having some scripted elements, getting people to do certain activities, or just having a camera follow someone.

ALL reality TV shows are constructed to a certain degree, whether that’s having some scripted elements, getting people to do certain activities, or just having a camera follow someone.

TASK

Create a continuum like the one below including the following reality tv shows and any others you can think of.

RealityConstructed

Reality

Police, Camera,Action

Strictly ComeDancing

•X Factor•Big Brother•How to look good naked•Vets in Practice

•Ross Kemp on Gangs•The Apprentice•America’s Next Top Model•The Hills

Why do we watch reality TV?

Uses and gratifications

How about this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuWVwf9rPJI

Is it wrong to enjoy watching people humiliate themselves?

Was it right that Susan Boyle was catapulted into the spotlight when she had history of mental health problems?

Why is it funny to watch people fail? How are these people represented?

Is it fair that people like Simon Cowell are allowed to increase the humiliation with scathing remarks?

Voyeurism

Voyeurism is a term used to describe the pleasure that people get from watching other people.

First TV show to play on this was Candid Camera:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qHc6OgPs5E

People were filmed without their knowledge, in humourous situations. Again, audiences enjoyed watching the humiliation.

Voyeurism

This trend continued with more modern shows like Trigger Happy TV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTV-YxOwLdA

And more recently, Punk’d http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpAGztnw3WA

And more hilariously, Rio Ferdinand’s World Cup Wind-ups: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZkcqeImKmc

Voyeurism

Punk’d and Rio Ferdinand’s show are both attractive to watch for audiences because famous people are being targetted.

Is it right that shows like Trigger Happy should target ‘normal’ members of the public? Should we be allowed to watch their humiliation?

Are people being exploited, or is it ok for companies to make money from these shows because the people agree to participate?

How are they represented? Why are they chosen?

Participants

Participants

Essex Girl

Homosexual ‘Chav’ Geek

STEREOTYPES!

Participants

Stereotypes are important because they help us to relate the participants with other, similar types of people we know. This stimulates our interest in the programme.

TASK

You are working for BBC Three.

You have been asked to find 4 participants for a new reality TV show where they will be asked to live in a underwater house for two weeks.

The show is designed to target 18-24 year old males and females.

Provide a brief profile for the type of people you want to appear in the show. Do not use specific individuals, but rather a set of criteria you might use to filter people who apply.

Bad Taste?

Some reality shows have really pushed boundaries.

Wifeswap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P4VFjA1WYc&feature=related invaded the family home and swapped family members

Ibiza Uncovered http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ft-ToMWFws showed how young british people spent their holidays – producing a very negative representation of young people.

What values do these shows present to audiences?

Task

Create a table of reality TV shows, and then the groups of people that they represent in a good light, and those they represent in a bad light. (if any…)

Reality Show Good Representation

Bad Representation

Police, Camera, Action

Police Criminals