Reality TV Picture

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Reality TV – Real or Misnomer?
By: Samantha Steiner

Introduction

   Reality series are currently one of the most pervasive forms of television programming.  One important issue is frequently considered by viewers and critics: does reality television represent real situations, or is the term “reality” a misnomer?  Viewers want to know the truthfulness of what they are watching, or do they?     
   What was first [...]

Literature

     
    There are many articles and books examining various aspects of the question of how real is reality TV.  First examined is a look at why viewers watch reality TV.  The results of a survey showed that reasons for watching reality TV included an interest in competition and revenge as well as an interest in [...]

Review

  
    The reviewing of literature, it is important to first consider what the term “reality” actually means in television.  One could reasonably assume that a reality show is the equivalent of an unrehearsed, documentary type of show where what is being viewed on television is actually how it happened.      While many shows labeled [...]

Analysis

  
   Audiences understand that shows are manipulated.  However, for the most part, viewers accept this and even expect it realizing, like the producers, that it is necessary in order to keep the shows entertaining.  As one viewer wrote, “there’s a line between, you know, true reality and reality that’s entertaining” (Rose & Wood, 2005).  [...]

Conclusion

  
    Reality TV is a misnomer.  There are no rules as to how real a show needs to be in order to be identified as a reality show.  Being objective and accurate is not as important as being entertaining.  Do viewers understand that reality TV is not reality?  Most do, however, for the majority, [...]

References

Booth, W. (2004, August 10). Reality is only an illusion, writers say. The Washington Post, p. C1.
Bravo Reality Show Picture; Retrieved December 5, 2007, from images.teamsugar.com/…/bravoshows.preview.jpg
Day, N. (1996). Sensational TV: trash or journalism? New Jersey: Enslow.
Escoffery, D. S. (Ed.). (2006). How real is reality TV? North Carolina: McFarland & Co. Publishers.
Levin, G. (2001). How real [...]

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