Reality TV - Week Twelve

How have game shows influenced reality TV?

Hill states that “in the UK, the rise of reality TV was connected with the success of American tabloid TV,” Hill (2005, p.17). Here it is established that American tabloid TV such as game shows and quiz shows influenced the likes of Reality TV. Referring to the likes of game and quiz shows as an influence on Reality TV we can see that both hold very similar features. Also Hills (2005, p.31) states that “the reality game show has become an international bestseller since its arrival in 2000.” Therefore why wouldn’t programme makers use this style in order to construct what we know today to be ‘Reality TV’?

“This phenomenally successful quiz-show format draws on a central tenet of the reality format: that the game is open to ordinary people, not just prodigies,” (Week 12 PPT). This feature where the audience has the ability to interact with the programme, in such ways as voting polls on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and ‘ask the audience’ as seen on ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire?’ makes this possible. Also “the contestants are portrayed as “real” people, and thus they are encouraged to relate details of their home and work lives and to reveal their thought processes to the audience, thinking out loud as the host patiently awaits for an answer.” Andrejevic (2004, p. 72). This whole level of intimacy you could say, really allows for the relation between the programme/subjects and the viewer and it makes the viewer feel like they are a valuable part of the programme when they can contribute.

“The show had tapped into the appeal of the real: fans hoped that they could be more than just passive viewers, that they might have a chance to participate in the show,” (Week 12 PPT). Using this approach towards Reality TV programmes such as ‘Dancing with the Stars’ shows us how the use of this whole game show idea like the voting style combined with the drama of the ‘behind the scene shots’ creates this whole ‘reality TV’ entertainment that is so successful and that we all like to watch.

Garey Carter also goes onto say that “for a show to meet the definition of Reality TV, it must incorporate an element of audience interaction”, Gary Carter (Cited in Andrejevic, 2004, p. 12). And this can be seen like mentioned afore on shows such as ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars’.

Why is reality TV so popular for both programme makers and TV viewers?

The reason that reality TV is so popular with viewers is because of the interaction factor that is involved. Especially in game shows such who wants to be a millionaire and the likes. “This interactive aspect of Reality TV could be seen as placing the control of media, in the hands of the people who watch it” (Week 12 PPT). The viewer likes to feel as though they are in control and that ultimately they have a say in what happens on the show. And that is why the voting aspect is so valuable to programme makers because it is a simple process which makes the audience feel as though their thoughts and opinion are being valued. Normally it is the media who was seen to have full control of the way TV worked but now a day especially in Reality TV it has been put more in the hands of the viewer and this is why it has become so popular amongst the people who watch Reality TV.

Andrekevic goes onto mention that “the goal is not just to provide viewers with a sense of participation, but to keep track of them, to gather information from them, and to monitor their interest in the show,” Andrejevic (2004, p. 14). And this in turn is something which helps the programme makers out immensely as it allows for them to receive feedback and how to improve their show in order for them to receive more viewers etc.

Reference ListHill, A. (2005) The rise of reality TV. In A. Hill, Reality TV: Audiences and Popular Factual Television. (pp. 15 – 40). Oxon: Routledge.