How does Hill (2005)
define reality TV?
Hill (2005) defines
reality television as “a range of factual programming.” He goes on to unpack
the definition and look at the meaning of reality TV through interpretation and
evaluation. What Hill asserts is that to define a “genre in transition” we must
take into account the audience’s interpretation and their diverse opinions on
the diverse genre. Because subject matter plays little part in the definition
of reality TV, it comes down to its origins, influences, production techniques
and formats that allow us to put a series into the reality TV box.
Primarily, our
understanding of the genre is based on our perception of the word reality.
Whether we view life marooned on a desert island to be an ever-present
possibility or throw sharp objects at the TV screen when The Hills is on, our
perception of reality determines our level of participation in a genre that is
constantly changing.
As a victim of genetic
cynicism, my view of reality TV (and TV in general) lends itself to the latter.
I fear it is because of this that despite it being Hill’s opening sentence; I
wholly disagree with his definition. Sadly for the die-hard fans of Big Brother
out there, the shreds of tangible reality remaining in reality TV are few and
far between.
Editing and re-editing,
scripted dialogue and ‘amateur’ actors, provide us a simulated reality which is
in fact no more real than your average prime time sit com. Survivor is a
classic case of, “I’m alone and hungry on a desert island… watching the crew
eat Subway.” The million dollar prize actually goes to the contestant that doesn’t
strangle the gaffer for his pasta carbonara that was golf-carted down to him
from the Sunny Days Beach Resort two kilometres down the beach. If you are a
revolting human, you make it to the semi-final because you make compelling
television, if you are a bland human; you’re out in the second round. No amount
of Darwin’s theory applies to reality TV because it is not reality.
Reality
television is predictable. Reality is not.
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See? You didn’t predict
that.
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