Analysis of the Social Phenomenon of Reality TV
Throughout recent years, reality television grown in popularity. Whether it is because of the gripping drama or the feel-good story lines, it seems that reality TV won't be going out of style anytime soon.
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Cost
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An article from The Atlantic states that reality TV shows cost considerably less to produce than scripted TV shows. Because there is such a low budget, many stations run multiple reality TV shows, as revenue from sponsors pays for the show in a short period of time.
Controversy
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Because reality TV shows are unscripted, subject matter and events arise that producers cannot predict, such as somebody being punched in the face at a bar. Scripted TV shows have more control over the content, and can sometimes lack the "surprise" factor that reality television has.
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Voyerism and Fandom
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Reality TV allows audiences to see real life, and all of the drama and joy that comes with it. Viewers often get attached to programs to see how their favorites fare in competition, whereas others enjoy watching pleasure from another's misfortune.
Criticism
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Reality TV shows are under constant criticism for not actually being "real." Sometimes scenes are re-shot due to malfunctioning production equipment, which makes the work "staged." Editors often reorganize footage to create more dramatic story lines or conflicts.
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References
- InfoPlease.com: History of Reality TV
- The Atlantic: The Case for Reality TV; Michael Hirschorn; May 2007
- "The Huffington Post": The Schadenfreude of CBS' "Undercover Boss"; Benyamin Cohen; February 2010
- CBS News: "Snooki" Punched in the Face, Gym Teacher Arrested, MTV Pulls Scene from "Jersey Shore"; Edecio Martinez; December 2009
Resources
- Photo Credit tv remote control image by Bruce MacQueen from Fotolia.com