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 as reality use elements typical of documentaries such as hand held cameras and the use of non-actors, they also use characteristics of fictional shows such as dramas and comedies. These shows have ground rules, story lines, background music and set design. Elements of fictional shows such as plot twists and character development have also been added. Producers have come to the conclusion that if the shows were left unchanged in more of a pure documentary fashion, viewers would be turned off (Marc & Thompson, 2005).
Also considered are reality shows such as Cops, where cameramen are allowed to accompany police officers. Here too, there is a mixing of real and fictional. Like scripted drama, they are often made to resemble good guy versus bad guy scenarios. This is possible because reality shows do not have to follow the rules found on news broadcasts. Since it is considered entertainment, the producers do not have to deal with whether the show is accurate or whether both sides of a story are presented (Day, 1996). Even in non-competitive type reality shows, what seems like straight documentaries are often staged. Sometimes events are even re-enacted.
Further examples of manipulations are seen in professional competitive reality TV shows such as Top Chef (cooking) and Project Runway (fashion design). Contestants are not selected primarily for their talent, as one might expect in a documentary style reality. Though some talent in their field must be present, producers choose contestants for their personalities. They also strive to include certain types of people. Senior (2007) noted a producer who stated, “we have the evil gay guy, we have the pretty blonde woman, we have the ethnic rotund guy from Philly” (p. 6). Also, instead of real-life professional scenarios, contestants are forced into scripted artificial situations which cause high stress, sleep deprivation, isolation, and artificially close proximity to other contestants.
How real are the shows perceived to be by the viewers? There is data which demonstrates that reality TV viewers realize all is not totally real. In a Gallup poll taken in 2001, of 1,016 adults surveyed, 57% indicated that “reality producers provide a distorted picture of events while another 23% described the shows as ‘totally phony’” (Levin, 2001, para. 8).
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