How Real is Reality Tv?
Reality tv is usually defined as non-fictional footage where actors haven’t got a script or a set of instructions to follow as the footage is shown to be real current events and a look into real life as people deal with situations and life In front of them. Reality tv comes in many forms. ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’, ‘Survivor’, ‘American Idol’ and ‘The great British Bake off’ are some of the most well know reality shows known. Reality tv shows can be drama, music, cooking, adventure, and living shows that are all classed under the same category as if they were fiction shows, which is entertainment.
Rather than relying on actors (Metz), reality tv shows rely on editors and producers to smooth out the show ready for an audience to consume. Producers and editors will show edited cuts of the footage gained, showing only what they want to be shown or what they deem to be worthy of being shown to the public. This can raise the question of how real is reality tv?
The idea that reality tv isn’t scripted gives the idea that that what is being shown is general reactions to the situations being shown, but as Ryan Stradal mentions it, “Unscripted Does Not Mean Unwritten” (Stradal, 2014).
Basically, we are being shown what we want to be shown, the storylines and character arcs and the drama that get audience views are the scenes that are given in reality tv shows. Just because what’s being shown on screen may be reality or a situation of reality, the ideas shown can warp audiences views of how to deal and process situations and life when the actors within reality shows might not be actor yet they almost always know how to act in front of a camera to be able to make themselves look good, and even on reality tv this may not be portraying the actual reality of a situation presented on the shows we watch (Grimes).
Its known that many reality shows are planned in advance, with an idea and a process to make the shows more relatable and entertainment worthy for audiences to consume. With it safe to say that reality tv isn’t completely real.
References;
Metz, W.F. (n.d). How Reality Tv Works. HowStuffWorks. Retrieved Fromhttps://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/reality-tv.htm#
Grimes, G. (n.d). Just How Fake are Reality Tv shows? HowStuffWorks. Retrieved From https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/just-how-fake-are-reality-tv-shows.htm
Stradal, R. (2014) “Unscripted Does Not Mean Unwritten.” Writers Guild of America, West. Retrieved From http://www.wga.org/organizesub.aspx?id=1096
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