How does Hill define Reality tv?
From the reading, I have gathered that Hill believes there
is not one simple definition of reality programming bu t many “competing
definitions of what has come to be called the ‘reality genre’” (Hill, 2005).
This is due to it’s original influences; the variation of prominent television
genres, such as documentary and lifestyle, that reality tv, also known as ‘popular
factual programming, has emerged from.
Hills says that, reality tv is the term we all refer to,
audiences, scholars and members of the television industry included,when we
talk about the genre of reality, but really, it doesn’t differentiate the
different ‘styles and formats’ within this wide genre (2005). However, the one
characteristic that unites all programming that falls under the reailty genre,
is “the capacity to let viewers see for themselves”. Apparently, we judge the realness
of reality tv according to a ‘fact-fiction continuum’, one end being ‘docu-soaps’,
and the other ‘reality gameshows’. Hills also believes that, it is only a
matter of time before the industry begins to include other types of ‘factual
television’ into the reality genre (2005).This worries me slightly..as with many
reality programmes I see on television, the line between fact and fiction is
very blurred. A lot of what we presume to be real, is fake, scripted, and/or highly
exaggerated in order to make an entertaining episode of ‘reality tv’.To be
honest, a lot of reality television today, is complete crap in my opinion..but
it is addictive and I tend to watch it anyways!
In regards to the docu-drama Cathy Come Home we watched in
class, I can see how reality television grew from programmes such as this one.
Directed by Ken Loach and released in 1996, the show is about a couples life
together, their struggles with raising a family in poverty. It is all portrayed
as very real, as though a camera has followed them around over the years. The
show explores real life issues, with real emotion, and life like events and
problems – social realism in Britain during this time period. Although it was
an acted drama, I could definitely spot similarities between Cathy Come Home
and reality TV today. The way Cathy spoke to the audience, narrating events and
her feelings at the time of these events, reminded me of the common
confession/diary technique used in many reality shows where characters express
their thoughts to the camera/viewers.
I enjoyed watching the show, as I hadn’t ever seen anything
like it before. I am used to watching reality tv today, so I had to keep
reminding myself that it was actually a scripted drama, whether it was based on
a true story or not. Maybe I need to do the same when I am watching my crap
reality tv…remind myself that most of it is probably hyped up just for the
drama and the ratings, and that really, it isn’t that real at all!
Geordie Shore - One of my favourite 'reality' tv shows.
Terrible and cringe worthy, but I can't help myself!
References
Biressi, A. & Nunn, N.
(2005). Real Lives, documentary approaches. In Reality TV: realism and
revelation. (pp. 35-58) London: Wallflower.
Hill A. (2005). The rise of reality TV. In A. Hill, Reality TV: Audiences and Popular Factual Television. (pp. 15 – 40). Oxon: Routledge
Hill A. (2005). The rise of reality TV. In A. Hill, Reality TV: Audiences and Popular Factual Television. (pp. 15 – 40). Oxon: Routledge
It was interesting to read your post and how reality TV is so popular now. Before it was about the documentaries of the people, animals etc. However, there are so many reality shows that are on TV now. For example, there are many reality shows from different settings including the hospitals, private doctors, schools, jails, and many more. It shows that people are curious and enjoys watching how other people live and its about sharing their experiences and developing from it. There is a reality programme on channel one about pregnant women from their time in the hospital to having their baby. It was really interesting to see how they have managed to put this into series of reality programmes. It tells us that the audience are interested to see other people going through their lives and more. Even just normal comedy family shows like 'Modern Family' is outlined like a reality show having separate interviews and their normal life in a scripted drama series. It seems like if there is no realism, the audience do not find it interesting.
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