How does Hill define reality tv?
Hill's (2005) writing on reality tv acknowledges the width and breadth of this modern, expanding genre. This genre of tv has only recently been classified under the umbrella of 'reality tv' and has been known under a whole variety of different names, including popular factual, docu-dramas, reality entertainment, infotainment and edutainment. This shows the whole range and variety of shows which can appear under the reality banner, and encompassing entirely different styles; everything from game show-type reality shows, like Survivor and Masterchef, to the reality-based shows filmed in real hospitals and vets. Hills (2005) acknowledges that "the process of categorizing reality tv highlights the inherent problems for the television industry, scholars and audiences in defining a genre that by its very nature is concerned with multiple generic participation, and constant regeneration."
References
Hill, A. (2005) The reality genre. In A. Hill, Reality TV: Audiences and Popular Factual Television.(pp. 14 – 40). Oxon: Routledge.
Hi Sara,
ReplyDeleteYes, ‘reality TV’ programmes may be defined by what messages the show conveys for its viewers. I think ‘reality TV can still be informative, comic centred, romance focused, education related, etc.
The main purposes and contents of the show will probably influence the category they fall into. ‘reality TV’ show has too broad a meaning so it had better have sub-genres. I agree with Hill (2005) when he mentioned another name for it can actually be sub-genres :), ‘reality entertainment’ ‘infotainment’ and ‘edutainment’, for example.
Do you agree with Hill's definition?
ReplyDelete