How real is reality tv?
Reality TV as Hill (2005) explains, is a relatively common umbrella term used to describe a variety of popular and factual tv programming. There is a broad range of techniques and styles used in reality tv, from non-professional actors, unscripted dialogues, surveillance footage, as well as seeing events occur just as they happen in real time. In fact, in the early days of the genre, most of reality programming consisted of live footage of law and order, or emergency services. However, throughout the years, this genre has developed immensely and can be associated with almost anything from people, pets, and even sports.
The evolution of reality tv has enabled a sense of ‘hybridization’ of different successful genres to increase its market value. Although traditionally, reality tv does consider itself a form of factual programming, it also merges with entertainment-based programs, thus becoming a hybrid genre with varying styles. Another useful term is, popular factual programming, which connects popular audiences with a range of factual television genres and formats. Evidently, the reality tv genre is made up of a range of distinct and historically significant other genres like ‘lifestyle shows,’ or documentaries. Through merging these genres, new hybrid genres such as the reality tv we know today have been created. Moreover, one of the defining aspects that brings the groups of reality tv programs together is the extent to which they let the audience ‘see for themselves.’ The viewers then get to judge the ‘reality’ of reality tv, which its initial purpose is to capture the ‘reality’ of everyday lives.
Furthermore, many different television networks around the world produce their own reality programmes and have been successful on the television market, however the term ‘reality tv,’ has gained some criticisms (Kilborn, 1994). Regarding the beginnings of film and tv, one of the main goals of moving image producers was to persuade their viewers that they are watching something that is directly connected to the ‘real world.’ This idea led to many debates on how to present reality in a more genuine way, and how changing the onscreen representations may affect the attitudes of the viewers. More importantly, all notions of ‘realism’ differs based on history and culture and it can be difficult to set a standard for what is considered ‘real’ in reality tv.
Another important factor to consider in the making of reality tv, is the entertainment value. Factual programming can only be factual if it concerns representing what is real, but if there is no entertainment factor, then it can be difficult to keep the viewer’s attention. Kilborn (1994) also explains that whatever the format of the reality program (whether it is a docu-soap, or dramatic fiction), the aim of the creator is to highlight the effect of shared experience or a lived in reality. The events that cover reality tv involve a wide range of human activities, from the mundane to the most dynamic. A key requirement, is that no matter what the subject matter, the audience must easily find a way to relate to what is shown on screen. Nonetheless, this can be a skewed notion at times, as some shows may over-dramatize the real-life events, or the depiction might be different to increase entertainment value.
Ultimately, reality tv does feature real-life people and depicts factual information/events, however it can be over-sensationalized to an extent which makes it seem fairly ‘unreal.’
References
Hill, A. (2005) The reality genre. In A. Hill, Reality TV: Audiences and Popular Factual Television. (pp. 14 – 40). Oxon: Routledge.
Kilborn, R. (1994). ‘How Real Can You Get?’: Recent Developments in ‘Reality’ Television. European Journal of Communication, 9, 421-439. Doi: 10.1177/0267323194009004003
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