Reality TV and
Representation
Representation and Reality TV

Representation: the versions of the ‘real world’ constructed by
the media. Some forms of reality TV are constructed to appear
more ‘real’ than others – but they can only represent the world
and are never ‘transparent’ or neutral.
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Every representation – and every reality TV show – has a point
of view. Look for what is left out as well as what is included.
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All representations reflect the ideas, biases and assumptions of
the producers and the broadcaster.
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Audiences will also read the representations in a variety of ways,
or from particular points of view.
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Representation of Presenters
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What types of reality show are these
presenters associated with?
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What types of audiences might each
one appeal to?
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What can you tell from their posture,
gesture, facial expression, cropping
of shot, props, background?
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What values and ideas do these
presenters represent – and what do
they suggest about the shows they
front?
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Representation of Contestants
These BB10 contestants have chosen to represent themselves in particular ways.
 How have they constructed these representations (e.g. dress, body language, style)?
 How do they connect with the demographics and lifestyles of the target BB audience?
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Reading Reality Stills
Denotation: the content of the shot – what you can actually see.
Connotation: ideas and associations the shot suggests to you.

The next shots all feature a seated group of ‘ordinary people’. In
terms of denotation, the images are similar: they show 'real people’
of a variety of different ages and stages onscreen.

But in terms of connotations, the images suggest very different sets
of ideas, and represent different genres of reality shows.

Talk about the differences you notice in terms of their visual codes,
especially:
 posture and body language, facial expression, clothing and style
 the grouping of participants, and their possible relationships
 cropping and framing of shots; props; background and locations.
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What Idea do these Reality TV
Contestants Represent?
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How Does The Apprentice Represent Itself
Online?
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How Does The Apprentice Represent Itself Online?
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The ‘Social Experiment’ Show
The Secret Millionaire
and The Choir both
share a ‘social
experiment’ format.
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How is this
represented in their
website home
pages?
In what ways are
they similar?
In what ways are
they different?
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© English and Media Centre
Representations Online
A study of Representation in reality TV isn’t just about the values and
messages in an individual show. It’s also about looking at the ways the
different broadcasters represent their identity and ‘mission’.

Look at the two home pages for two rival reality talent shows. Both denote
the well-known features of the show. Do the connotations of the page
differ? Or do they suggest similar ideas? Consider:
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colour codes
use of images
navigation
iconography
invitations to the audience.
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What does each page suggest about the format and values of the show?

What does each page tell you about the broadcasting institution behind the
show?
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© English and Media Centre
© English and Media Centre
Stereotypes and Reality TV
Stereotype: a simplified view of a person or groups of people, in which one or two
characteristics are used to represent the whole person, and the whole group s/he
belongs to. A classic example: ‘the dumb blonde’ stereotype, based on repeated and
usually inaccurate ideas and media imagery which categorises all young blonde
women as being silly, vain and uninformed.
The
contestants in reality TV game shows are often edited to represent selective or
stereotypical behaviour.
The
most obvious example is Jade Goody, who built a career, life and death
around versions of – and challenges to – her dumb blonde stereotype.
The
next two slides explore the ways she has been represented onscreen and in
the tabloid press – and the ways she chose to represent herself.
Talk
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about:
the different types of stereotype the images suggest
the ways these ideas have been constructed through the format and editing of BB and CBB
the role played by the tabloid press in supporting or challenging these stereotypes.
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© English and Media Centre
© English and Media Centre
Stereotypes in Reality TV

Are there typical, or stereotypical ways in which reality TV
shows represent social groups like: celebrity wannabes,
older women, black men, certain kinds of professionals or
performers, certain age-groups?

Discuss if there are particular stereotypes associated with
the kinds of show listed below. Then decide if the
stereotype is positive or negative. If it is negative, does
that matter?
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fashion or beauty make-over shows
parenting reality shows
social experiment shows
docusoaps.
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Brat Camp

How do these web-pages for C4’s Brat Camp represent:
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the show’s view of ‘brats’
the format of the show
the concerns of the audiences for the show.
© English and Media Centre
Messages about the World
In your group select a particular show to evaluate together.
What kind of messages does your show suggest? Does it:

suggest certain ideas, values or behaviour are normal or right? For
example, certain ways of looking, dressing or behaving?

rely on out-dated or inappropriate ideas of gender, age, or different
cultural groups?
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present particular ideas about body image, lifestyle, acceptable
behaviour?
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feature only good looking, young, usually heterosexual people – or
does it offer a wider range of representations?
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give audiences a limited or broad impression of what is ‘normal’?
© English and Media Centre
A Representation Summary
If you’ve got this far, you should be able to:

explain some of the issues about representation raised by
reality TV

discuss ideas about stereotyping, and whether it is a problem in
reality TV

identify some common representations in the constructed world
of reality TV

start investigating how these representations can be
constructed and reinforced by print and online media

reflect on the idea of a reality ‘star’, and explain how some
participants become stars.
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