Reality TV

To be honest, "Modern" Reality TV is one of those genres that I simply CAN'T STAND.  It has been done to death and a number of shows that exist are created to appeal to the lowest common denominator.  They are usually focussed around elements such as a facade of friendship that devolves into backstabbing and arguments, often over the most petty of matters, the basic formula often being repeated over and over no matter the show.  But I digress, that isn't what I'm meant to be writing about. 


How does Hill define Reality TV?

The term "reality TV" has become so broad these days that the term "can be applied to any type of popular factual programming the industry wants to sell  to channels and viewers at home or abroad" (Hill, 2005). While Reality TV has become very popular, shows that can be classified as such can be traced back as far as the 1940s, with the show Candid Camera (Debuted in 1948), moving into the 60's and 70's with shows like An American Family (1973), The Family (1974), The Gong Show, and continuing into the new millenium with shows such as Changing Rooms (1996),  Survivor (which in fact originated as a show in 1997 called "Expedition Robinson"), American Idol, The GC and many, MANY more.  All different, but in some way all carrying similarities.

Hill also states that  "reality' TV" now is used usually to categorize programming as "cheap, tasteless, and compelling" (Hill, 2005). As much as I hate the genre myself, I must agree with this fact.  Reality shows are more and more being created to cater to the lowest common denominator and focus more on drama, arguments, backstabbing and the like, as I mentioned in my introduction.  I think the term "Train Wreck" fits quite nicely with some shows - it is the sort of situation where you WANT to look away, but sometimes you simply can't make yourself.