How does Hill define reality TV?
Hill (2005) starts by stating that reality TV is factual entertainment, and has a number of different styles which involves normal people, no scripts, non-professional cameras, and recording natural events as they happen. Reality is a genre which is in a state of flux. The genre used to be focused on shows which were centred around police or emergency services, now reality TV has grown to include everything you can possibly think of (Hill, 2005). We still have “traditional” reality shows like Cops, Police 10-7 and Piha Rescue, which follows real events as they happen. Then we have shows like The Hills and Jersey Shore in which the reality can seem somewhat questionable, not to mention the fact that this is questionable entertainment to begin with.
There are competing definitions from the television industry, scholars and audience. The television industry defines reality TV as a hybrid of genres, for example, soap operas and observational documentary. The most succinct definition from the TV industry is that reality TV is factual entertainment (Hill, 2005). Television scholars think it is more useful to refer to reality TV as reality formats, and this can include ‘fictional drama is real-life situations’, ‘slice-of-life observational modes of documentary film making’, and ‘infotainment’ (Hill, 2005). Audiences define reality TV as ‘documentaries of real life’, ‘people programmes’ or shows that are ‘fly-on-the-wall’ (Hill, 2005).
Biressi, A. & Nunn, N. (2005). Real Lives, documentary approaches. In Reality TV: realism and revelation. (pp. 35-58). London: Wallflower.
Some good initial points. What do you mean by "this is questionable entertainment to begin with"? Further discussion on this point would have been useful. It also would have been useful to test the concepts identified in your second response on a primary text (e.g. a reality show currently screening on television)
ReplyDeleteIn The Hills I was referring to the fact that the reality of it is questionable, as a lot of the material is staged. In regards to Jersey Shore, I was referring to the questionable quality. An example of a a reality show that is a hybrid of genres could be Man Vs. Wild, which is I suppose a cross between a nature documentary, a survival/adventure show and a reality show. Many reality shows often blend a number of different genres like this.
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