What is Reality TV?
Cartoon © Benrik Pitch
Some Definitions
Reality television is...
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a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or
humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people
instead of professional actors. (Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_television)
a catch-all category that includes a wide range of television programmes about real
people. Sometimes called popular factual television, reality TV is located in border
territories, between information and entertainment, documentary and drama.
(Annette Hill, Reality TV, 2005)
programming that is unscripted and follows actual ‘real life’ events as they unfold,
usually involving members of the public or groups of celebrities. (http://www.skillset.org)
the television genre where situations are created by the show’s producers, but the
show itself is unscripted. Cameras capture the participants’ natural reactions and
responses to the situations created, which are then edited as a programme or
series. (Product Placement Glossary, iTVX.com)
© English and Media Centre
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The Infotainment Show
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The oldest variation: classic shows that combine public information
messages to the public on crime, health, etc with real life experts and
examples, and reconstructions of events or issues. Usually use on-camera
presenter, celeb or specialist for added authority.
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999: tips to the public about how to save lives, alongside reconstructions of
crises where people are saved by the emergency services. Click for 999
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Crimewatch: reconstructions of crimes with particular instructional
message to the public, to get involved and try to support police in
reporting and solving crime.
© English and Media Centre
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The Docusoap
a hybrid of observational documentary and soap opera
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Vets in Practice: narratives around vets, suffering pets, and their owners and the
drama, highs and lows of the daily life of a veterinary practice.
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Traffic Cops: motorway stories, seen from the point of view of the daily work of
traffic police. Click for Traffic Cops
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The Family: 28-camera set-up records the minutiae of everyday family life over 8
months. Massively edited into a highly constructed narrative. Series 1 observational
with voiceover, focusing on small moments of family conflict set entirely within the
home; Series 2 incorporates talking heads, interview and more continuing story
strands, with external footage. Click for The Family (clip 1); Click for The Family (clip 2).
Added value for Broadcasters
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after initial set-up, relatively cheap to produce
no costs for screenwriters, cast/talent, etc
ongoing ready-made drama, with inbuilt storylines
information content; opportunities for spin-off shows, viewer interaction, debate.
© English and Media Centre
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The Lifestyle Programme
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Remodelling of homes, gardens, bodies etc for ‘ordinary’ people, e.g: Bargain Hunt,
Cash in the Attic, 60-minute Makeover. Features include:
 observational (usually) with expert gurus and a ‘journey’
 a narrative consisting of a problem; a solution process; a final resolution
 often, but not always, a final ‘transformation’ moment, or a surprise.
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You Are What You Eat or Freaky Eaters, where experts try to make a life-changing
difference for real people by encouraging us to eat healthier types of food, or
overcome problems or fears: Click for Freaky Eaters
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Gok’s Fashion Fix, Ten Years Younger, What Not to Wear where real people with
problems of body image, style or confidence are exposed onscreen, remodelled by
experts, re-invented as better people, and ‘premiered’ to the world.
Added value for the Broadcasters
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websites with merchandising and marketing opportunities (recruits ads)
opportunities for spin-off shows, return visits to the participants, etc.
feel-good programming, sometimes with educational input.
© English and Media Centre
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The Social Experiment Show
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A ‘people experiment’ where a situation is set up and observed, e.g. Wife Swap –
conflicting class values and life-styles within the home – exploring parenting, social
relationships, domestic organisation, gender roles, work, etc. Click for Wife Swap
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Blood Sweat and T-shirts – assumptions of affluent Western teens challenged
through experience of harsh lives of other cultures. Click for Blood Sweat & T-Shirts
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Secret Millionaire – a social experiment with positive outcomes.
Click for Secret
Millionaire
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The Choir – encouraging participation; teaching boys to enjoy singing; uniting
divided communities; mending ‘Broken Britain’ through song.
Added value for the Broadcasters
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usually a worthwhile socially useful mission – good for the reputation of the
producers/channel
can be useful in promoting campaigns, charities, raising awareness of social
issues
can change the way people think and behave towards each other.
© English and Media Centre
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The Reality Talent Show
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Competition – auditions, tension, conflict, skills development
A format – recognisable, familiar, same but different
Talent (or not) – entertainment and diversion – it’s fun!
Celebrity judges, real-life personal stories or journeys
Inclusiveness – anyone can enter
A long-term process building to a mega-event
A vote and a winner – resolution! (e.g. The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent).
Added value for the Broadcasters
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long-running – occupies many hours of air-time, and builds to climax
endlessly recyclable format, which can be copyrighted
huge audiences, national profile, can generate massive tabloid promotion
can use celebrity judges already associated with the broadcaster’s ‘brand’
generates a massive income for the channel via:
 sponsorship from advertisers
 revenue from voting process.
© English and Media Centre
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The Reality Game Show
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Essentially a popularity contest set in a highly
constructed experimental situation under 24-hour
surveillance. Includes elements of many other reality
genres, e.g.:
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tasks and challenges – create tension and entertainment
personal confession – as in the Diary Room
personalities selected for their ‘conflict potential’: heroes and villains
suspense – evictions and a final resolution
controversy – opportunities for discussion, water-cooler moments, press
coverage e.g. Big Brother, I’m A Celebrity…
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Added value for the Broadcasters
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long-running – occupies many hours of air-time,
and builds to climax
endlessly recyclable format, which can be
copyrighted and franchised globally
huge audiences, national profile, can generate
massive tabloid promotion
generates a massive income for the channel via:
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sponsorship from advertisers
revenue from voting process.
© English and Media Centre
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But …
Where Would You Fit Shows Like These?
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Dating in the Dark: singletons meet, live together and date
completely in the dark. Click for Dating in the Dark (Clip 1); Click for Dating in the Dark (Living)
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The Missing Link: 8 humans meet 8 apes in the Ugandan jungle.
Click for ‘Missing Link’ article
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Someone’s Gotta Go: Workers at a failing recession-hit company
decide who gets a pay rise, a pay cut, or the sack. Click for Somone’s Gotta Go
link (Reuters)
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Stars of Science: 16 contestants from across the Arab world
develop new scientific innovations under constant surveillance,
voted for by a jury. Click for Stars of Science article
© English and Media Centre
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A Reality TV
Time-Line
blasts from the past
Reality Television is...
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A response to changes in technology and
economic crisis in the world of broadcasting:
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the arrival of TV for mass audiences in the US – and then the UK
lots of new programmes needed – and shows which involve the audience
new lightweight cameras create new types of documentary: the ‘real people on
TV’ show is born
daytime TV launches in the UK – more programmes needed to fill the
schedules!
strikes and crises in the broadcasting industry lead to less drama, more ‘real
people’ TV, from talk shows to docusoaps
the digital revolution begins!
new satellite, cable and digital channels arrive!
the internet.
© English and Media Centre
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1940s-1950s
The early days
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The arrival of TV for mass audiences in the US leads the way. Lots of new
programmes needed – and shows which involve the audience, e.g.:
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1948 – Candid Camera: the first ‘prank’ show
Beat the Clock, Truth or Consequences: stunts and wacky tasks undertaken
by ‘real people’
1948 – the first US TV talent shows with audience voting – precursors of The X
Factor etc
1950 – You Asked For It: hosted by Art Baker (ran till 1959, later revived):
viewers sent in postcards describing a stunt that they wanted to see on
television, e.g. the re-enactment of William Tell shooting an apple off his son’s
head. Live broadcast, so risky! Precursor of Jim’ll Fix It?
1954 – Miss America Pageant televised – winner becomes a celeb
Radio series Nightwatch recorded daily activities of California Police dept –
paving the way for reality TV.
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1960s-1970s
Getting Real
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New lightweight cameras create new types of
documentary: the ‘real people on TV’ show is born
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1964 – Seven Up (Michael Apted, Granada TV): interviews with 12 ‘ordinary’ 7year-olds from a cross-section of society on their reactions to everyday life, with
a new film of same individuals every 7 years (e.g. 21 Up). The ‘ordinary people’
become celebrities (often reluctantly). Click for 7-Up link
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1973 – An American Family (PBS): 12-hour documentary series (edited from
300+ hours of footage) following a Californian family’s divorce. Gave rise to…
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1974 – The Family (Paul Watson, BBC): fly-on-the-wall observational
documentary following the working-class Wilkins family from Reading. The
‘heroine’, matriarch Margaret Wilkins, later seen as the first ‘reality’ star. Director
Paul Watson is later appalled that his shows should be seen as the original
docusoaps. The family continues to be a recurrent source of reality interest.
© English and Media Centre
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1980s-1990s
From Talk Show to Docusoap
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Daytime TV launches in the UK – more programmes!
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Strikes and crises in the broadcasting industry mean drama, more ‘real people’
TV, from talk shows based on the format of 1940s radio talk shows to
docusoaps. The pioneer was The Oprah Winfrey Show, first transmitted 1986.
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1992 – Sylvania Waters (Paul Watson, ABC): Australian docusoap. Tracking
daily lives of nouveau riche family in affluent Sydney suburb, starring loud
matriarch Noeline Donaher. Accused of anti-Australian bias and manipulation.
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1992 – The Real World (MTV): America’s longest-running reality show. Remind
you of anything?
This is the true story... of seven strangers... picked to live in a house...work together
and have their lives taped... to find out what happens... when people stop being
polite... and start getting real...
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1993 – The Living Soap (BBC): 6 students shared a house in Manchester,
under constant surveillance. Aired weekly, so audience response distorted the
‘authenticity’ of the experience. Highly controversial, dropped after 5 months.
© English and Media Centre
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1990s
The Docusoap Gets a Makeover
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The digital revolution begins! New satellite, cable and digital channels arrive!
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More ‘real’ content needed. Internet expands the possibilities of interactivity, crossplatform promotion to ‘niche’ audiences, and opportunities to vote and comment.
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1996 – Airport (BBC2): fly-on-wall docusoap based in Heathrow Airport, following
lives of passengers and staff, making stars out of several. Ran to 10 series.
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1996 – Changing Rooms: birth of lifestyle/makeover subgenre. Presenters are now
national treasures and the programmes franchised and a global property.
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1997 – Driving School (BBC1): made Maureen Rees, serial test-failer, a celeb.
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1998 – World’s Wildest Police Videos: real police videos from across the world.
Massively popular worldwide.
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1999 – The 1900 House (C4): daily family life in historical context; Popstars
launched in New Zealand – precursor of the Idol format.
© English and Media Centre
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New Millennium, New Technologies, &
Made-for-TV Talent Formats
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1997: John de Mol Produkties develops Big Brother in the Netherlands for Endemol.
First UK tx 2000. Now franchised to 70 countries worldwide. The rest is history.
© English and Media Centre
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