Reality Television and Popular Culture - Essay Example

Running Header: Reality TV Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code: Date of Submission: Reality TV Around late 1999 and early 2000, reality TV shows emerged. Televisions had for the longest time aired many other genres in their programming schedules (Askew 2002). This included comedies, drama and soap operas. They had so exhaustively produced this shows that there was need to come up with a different genre. They targeted the new age bracket that was not really into what was being aired on televisions anymore. This is how reality TV programming came into existence. Reality TV can be described as the incorporation of real people in televised shows (Ginsburg 2002). They then have a chance to conduct themselves in a certain way. The way was normally dictated by the script and the contents of the reality show. Reality shows were a general representation of some sort of competition and had an ultimate prize for the winner (Askew 2002). Props were set aside to ensure that they had all the materials and equipments that they would need for the show. The people selected to contest in the shows had to have some predefined features (Webb 2009). Mostly these features would contribute significantly to the success and series production of the reality shows. They often use special sensational effects that would ensure that they attract and retain viewers. They normally target viewers from all over the world. This is because they employ unexpected tactics and abnormal circumstances to their scripts. Currently, the success of reality shows cannot be underscored. This is because there is a little bit of everything for the different audiences (Meyorowitz 1994). There are diverse sub genres that make up reality television. These sub genres have gone a long way in ensuring that each and every person has something for themselves in reality shows(Askew 2002). There are reality shows that are depictions of real live documentaries. Others insist on the aspects of competitions and the challenges that they come with. Many other reality shows have cashed in on inspirational shows that have delved into weight loss programmes and house remodelling (Meyorowitz 1994). Greta examples of reality shows include the Bachelor, Bachelorette, Big Brother and the Swan. Their success continues to show in this current time reality TV is our genre. There are several aspects that have ensured that reality TV clearly fits into the current ratings of popular culture (Meyorowitz 1994). Audience The television is the most common mode of entertainment in many homes all over the world. As much as many people do not have time to go for vacations, television viewing is a source of happiness for so many people. The audience is always eager and ready to enjoy any new show that has premiered on their screens (Godard, 2003). This is one of the reasons that reality shows have thrived. In many cases, reality shows appeal to a wide client base. Every person feels that there should be something for them to watch. Reality shows having realised this, have done just that (Hill 2005). They have formulated shows that cut across all audiences. The audiences range from the rich, poor, young, overweight and those with low self esteem. This has ensured that no matter what age category one falls under, there is something worthwhile to watch. The younger people have the survivor, World Wrestling Entertainment amongst very many others that appeal to this generation (Hill 2005). The overweight have reality shows that encourage them to lose the extra weight that they have. The shows give them an opportunity to apply and be part of the crew for the show. This creates market for the shows. This shows that all reality shows have capitalised on many of the experiences that make up life (Godard, 2003). Real Life Experiences Life is made up of so many experiences. These experiences all have diverse effects on the people that encounter them. This is what reality shows are about. They have taken real issues in today’s life and highlighted them (Hill 2005). They have emphasized on what life is about and how people react to certain experiences. This has created a platform where many people can look at the shows and see their lives. This then helps them to make a decision about what they need to do with their lives. In many cases, many people all over the world have been attracted, inspired and motivated by what they have seen on the shows (McMurria 2008). The fact that the shows are a general representation of real people and real emotions is a plus. It helps millions of people to relate to the situations in question. This is unlike the case where a program or show is screened and based on actors. The actors have been trained to act a certain way. Many at times, the emotions are evidently acted. This creates a scenario where people watching cannot really relate to the issue being presented. Shows on family represent aspects of family disagreements and feuds (Godard, 2003). This is a common feature in all families. Families all over the world would want to watch the show. This is because they can already relate to some of the aspects in the show. This is in accordance with what goes on in their families. Skills and Expertise Many people all over the world have always appreciated the formulation of good skills and expertise in a good film. Shows and films have a high level of skills and expertise. In reality shows, the incorporation of skills and expertise are on a higher scale. This is because real aspects are hard to capture and coordinate. Audiences are thrilled by the special features that are employed to ensure the overall success of the shows (Ginsburg 2002). This includes elements of suspense, creativity and unpredictability. In many of the shows scripts, it is very difficult to predict what the next thing that will happen will be. This is unlike maybe in soap operas. The soaps have a predictable cliché plot line. It involves a romantic spin here two people meet in unfortunate or unprepared circumstances. Once they have met, they start their courtship. They portray a situation where there is someone who is always against their union. The person who is against their union will do everything to separate them. In many instances, the soap opera ends when the two people emerge victorious in love. This has been the norm in many of the soaps that have been aired. This has been replaced by live adrenaline rush programs that have people glued to their screen (Godard, 2003). The aspect of real television has ensured that it is now possible to have viewing that allows people to anticipate. The anticipation gives rise to the very many series that make up the shows (Ginsburg 2002). Risks Involved There are so many risks that are presented in the shows. Many people want to know how it will turn out for the people acting (Askew 2002). As much as it is still too early to state whether reality shows are real or not, there are risks involved. In Big Brother for example the housemates have to act a certain way. This is what will differentiate them from the other housemates. Their uniqueness will also help them to clinch the prize money in question. It can be observed that many people do crazy things for the token prize. Many of the housemates date, have sexual liaisons and even propose to each other. The audience will obviously be attracted to this because of several aspects. What will happen to the housemates once they are evicted? Will their spouses accept them despite everything that they did while in the house? What general effects do the relationships formed in the house have on how they are perceived? All this risks attract the audience and create room for them to want to watch and learn more (Askew 2002). The risks are then made more attractive when the viewers are given a chance to contribute to the issue at hand. They get to say what they want for the next series and how it can be made better (Hill 2005). Learning Experience Reality TV offers a platform for viewers to learn so many things. The things that they learn are mostly as a result of what they view and how they view it. There are very many educative shows that are aired. They offer professional advice to many people who are in the different professions that the show talks about. They include Top Chef. This is one where there are chefs selected to compete against each other. They are expected to create the best recipes according to the theme that has been selected. The winner gets to stay on and compete. The loser gets to be voted out of the program. The program is educative to many people out there who are in the profession. It offers free tips on what should be done and what should not be done. Good example include the Project Runway show. The show is an inspiration to many of the designers worldwide. They have a chance to sample the designers and their collections. This offers a moment of inspiration for them despite the fact that they are so far away. Donald Trump is also an acclaimed entrepreneur. A chance to work for him is something that business minded people would love. The show, the apprentice, provides this platform. It creates an opportunity and learning experience for all that will get past the selection process. They are then subjected to rigorous tasks that ensure that they are competing in all the aspects of entrepreneurship (Askew 2002). In the course of the show, a winner will be selected. The winner is the one who would have emerged victorious in all the tasks that were presented to him or her. This is a learning experience for both the winner and participants. They get a chance to meet Trump and work with him. It is evident that the learning experience that comes from such exposure cannot be undermined. Conclusion Reality television is carving a niche for itself amongst all aspects of popular culture. It is making it very possible for audiences all over the world to take time and have a look at this expressive work of art. As much as reality shows have been criticised, viewers are paying attention to what television has to offer. In comparison to what is aired currently, people prefer to watch reality shows (McMurria 2008). Critics have stated that the reality shows do not have any aspect of real time features in them. They have stated that there is a lot of fabrication on the shows which is all possible because of the use of misrepresented facts. The facts then go through editing which makes them look real. The editing features compliment the aspect of pre-meditated acting which is sometimes linked with reality shows (McMurria 2008). Those that support reality shows do so because of the reasons stated above. As much as some may question the authenticity of reality shows, they acknowledge its uniqueness. They understand that in a world that has greatly televised each and every program, reality shows are the much needed change (McMurria 2008). This change is much needed as it brings in a new form of televising that is enjoyable, unique and a cut above the rest. These are the features that contribute to the growth and sustainability in this popular culture. Reality shows and their viewing have indeed formed a great and popular genre currently (Hill 2005). The general process of watching something includes its ability to remain memorable. The learning experience that is evident in most of these shows provides a clear platform for them to be truly educated and experienced. 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