How does Hill define reality TV?
Hill (2005) stated, there is no one definition of reality programming, but many, competing definitions of what has come to be called the reality genre. If there is one defining characteristic that unites the disparate group of programmes that make up the reality genre it is the capacity to let viewers see for themselves. Audiences judge the reality of reality programmes according to a fact/fiction continuum, with at the far end of the continuum infotainment or docu-soaps, and at the other end formatted reality gameshows.
I agree to the point that Hill says everyone has their own definition of what is a reality TV, also, audiences will judge about the realness of the programme. I mean, the directors can say whatever they want isn't it? As long as its not too dreamy, audiences can accept those. If there is a definition of reality TV in my mind, I will say it is a programme that includes a bit fake but mainly talking about real things that could possibly happen in this world. From my point of view, reality TV usually talks about experiences of something, or they're going to do experiments on something. No matter what the content is, they all have the same purpose which is to attract audiences.
References
Hill, A. (2005). The reality genre. In A. Hill, Reality TV: Audiences and Popular Factual Television. (pp. 14-40). Oxon: Routledge.
I agree with your view of reality tv, since it seems to create a sense of power for the viewers, with shows like Big Brother where they give the impression that viewers have the power to vote off people in the show. But who's to say the vote isn't rigged to ensure that producers when they have to cannot vote off the more popular contestants, to give a sense of unpredictability to the show. Good work!
ReplyDeleteYou are right. TV programme is all about the audiences. I am pretty sure when reality TV shows started at first, their purpose would be delivering the real stories of real people. But as soon as they were getting popular, they tried to get the audiences’ attention more. That’s why reality TV shows are including some fake parts.
ReplyDeleteHay Winny, awesome post. And I think you raised a good point Farish, that how do we know that the public voting isn’t rigged? Production might eliminate contestants according to what will raise their television ratings!
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