What is reality? Reality is a state of normality for us as humans. It is everything we experience with our senses and everything that would still be around if we were no longer on the planet. As Albert Einstein once said, “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one”.
Reality television is a sub-genre, which, first used in the 1990s, helped describe a particular style of television that was based on crime, health stories and accident. It is “about the viewing experience of a developing factual television genre” (Hill, 2005). Since the beginning of reality television, new technology such as camcorder, surveillance and CCTV have shown realness, and aim to make the audience feel as if they are a part of the action. “Reality TV …show more content…
Many people watch reality television for escapism, to escape from the ‘real’ world, although elements of this can be seen in reality TV. Blumler and Katz (1974) theory of Uses and Gratifications lets an audience use escapism, information, personal identity social interaction, and entertainment. Blumler and Katz “argued that audience needs to have social and psychological origins which generate certain expectations about the mass media, leading to different patterns of media exposure” (Chandler, 1994). Surveillance is also an element of this narrative theory and is highly talked about in reality television shows such as ‘Big Brother’ or ‘I’m a Celebrity’ as they are under surveillance of hundreds of cameras for 24 hours in a day – causing the audience to be watching the contestants and surveying them throughout the …show more content…
For example, ‘Deadliest Catch’ on Discovery, is scripted and has producers high influencing the outcome of the show. However, the characters are still experiencing freezing temperatures whilst on boats, and some have even died whilst filming the show, showing just how real reality television can be sometimes. ‘The Biggest Loser’ is also a reality television programme, which comes across as a state of reality. It follows a group of contestants who are on a journey to lose weight and change their lives, by eating healthy and exercising. This programme shows its audience and the contestants that in reality, you have to put a lot of work in to achieve your goals, instead of ‘cheating’ or using methods that could, in the long run, harm your
Reality television is a sub-genre, which, first used in the 1990s, helped describe a particular style of television that was based on crime, health stories and accident. It is “about the viewing experience of a developing factual television genre” (Hill, 2005). Since the beginning of reality television, new technology such as camcorder, surveillance and CCTV have shown realness, and aim to make the audience feel as if they are a part of the action. “Reality TV …show more content…
Many people watch reality television for escapism, to escape from the ‘real’ world, although elements of this can be seen in reality TV. Blumler and Katz (1974) theory of Uses and Gratifications lets an audience use escapism, information, personal identity social interaction, and entertainment. Blumler and Katz “argued that audience needs to have social and psychological origins which generate certain expectations about the mass media, leading to different patterns of media exposure” (Chandler, 1994). Surveillance is also an element of this narrative theory and is highly talked about in reality television shows such as ‘Big Brother’ or ‘I’m a Celebrity’ as they are under surveillance of hundreds of cameras for 24 hours in a day – causing the audience to be watching the contestants and surveying them throughout the …show more content…
For example, ‘Deadliest Catch’ on Discovery, is scripted and has producers high influencing the outcome of the show. However, the characters are still experiencing freezing temperatures whilst on boats, and some have even died whilst filming the show, showing just how real reality television can be sometimes. ‘The Biggest Loser’ is also a reality television programme, which comes across as a state of reality. It follows a group of contestants who are on a journey to lose weight and change their lives, by eating healthy and exercising. This programme shows its audience and the contestants that in reality, you have to put a lot of work in to achieve your goals, instead of ‘cheating’ or using methods that could, in the long run, harm your