Reality TV is a genre of television that can be defined as non-fictional footage in which situations are unscripted, and based on real time situations. According to Hill (2005), page 41 “reality TV Is a range of popular factual programming”- this essentially means that it is far from orthodox scripted shows. Unscripted actors, hand held cameras and non-professional characters are really what makes reality TV so encaptivating and raw. (Hill, 2005). While highly entertaining, it is also cheaper to produce due to the lack of heavy resources required. However, the validity of the genre is often questioned as viewers tend to question whether reality TV is in fact real or not.
In order to understand the validity of the genre, it is important to mention the roots of origin. Reality TV began in the 1990’s and created a platform ever since for reality TV as an existing genre. After the hike in popularity, the market outreach became wider and the boundaries of ‘reality tv’ was stretched. Essentially, it became a means of profitability for directors as much as entertainment goes. Kilborn (1194) states that audiences today are well aware that reality TV is but a construction and orchestration of a make belief reality that is trending. It has become very fabricated and fictionalised. Shows like Keeping up with the Kardashians and Big Boss often make viewers question the authenticity of the dramatic reactions and scenarios that occur. Kilborn (1994) argues that the viewers of reality TV have come to an understand that what they are watching on the screen is in fact a constructed, distorted reality. They are well aware that it is not an accurate or true depiction of the behaviors that occur under the given environments.
Reality TV producers have mastered the ability to use production techniques in order to manipulate the audiences, and keep them engaged. This is achieved through stimulating drama in between the ‘actors; while also making sure the given reactions are dramatic and over exaggerated. Through editing, sound effects, cinematography techniques, the incorporation of trending elements- the entire situation is dramatized and audiences are once again hooked in, not questioning the ‘reality’ of it all. Accordingly, It is safe to say that reality Tv is both reality and unreality. While there are elements of genuine reactions and events, there are also fabricated moments that are essential for the profitisation and globalisation of the genre. For this reason, it is able to maintain its standing as a lone genre amongst competitors in today’s demanding market.
Furthermore, Smith (2020) states that audiences only have access to the reality that is presented to them, yet not establishing how real that reality may be. It is evident that despite the genre being real or not, there is an uprising and consistent demand for such shows. To argue about the standing of the genre is important however, its overwhelming popularity normally makes that an almost insignificant underlying issue, that viewers for the most part, are not too fussed, so long as they are benefiting through entertainment.
References
Kilborn, R. (1994). How real can you get?: Recent developments in ‘reality’ television. European Journal of Communication 1994 9: 421 DOI: 10.1177/0267323194009004003
Smith, P. (2020). ENGL602 Reality Television [PowerPoint slides]. Blackboard. https://blackboard.aut.ac.nz/
Pop Genres 2020 