Reality Television

1
Reality Television

• Emily Peckskamp
• Sarah Thomes

2
Popular Reality TV Shows

• Project Runway
• American Idol
• The Bachelor
• Survivor
• Real World
• The Take Home Chef
• Trading Spaces

3
Reality Television Categories

• Competition
• The Apprentice, Survivor, Project Runway,
  American Idol, Americas Next Top Model
• Drama/Conflict
• The Real World, Temptation Island, Starting Over
• Skill Building/Home Improvement
• Trading Spaces, Flip That House, Take Home Chef

4
Familiar Roles

• Gender Roles
• Women Often manipulative, catty, emotional
• Men Often Intelligent, level headed, hard
  working
• The Expert
• Judges
• Mentors
• Leaders
• In Group/Out Group
• Usually grouped into teams or self-division
• The Underdog
• Often a viewer favorite

5
Setting

• Exotic Location
• Central Location
• Example Real World House
• Encourages Drama
• Hot tub, Large communal bathroom, shared bedrooms
• The Confessional
• Where the participants can share private
  thoughts with the camera and viewer

6
Problem or Issue to Solve

• Seeking fame
• Seeking love/romance
• Adventure
• Money/prizes

7
Value Assumptions

• Individualistic
• The ends justify the means
• Hard work pays off
• Push limits of appropriateness
• Physical attractiveness is as or more important
  than skill or intelligence