These days there is a growing trend towards reality TV shows that are based on external shallow values. With the appeal of junk food, it has a powerful hypnotic effect even on the strongest minds. But while reality TV may seem like a harmless form of entertainment, the damage (which is done so subtly) is very powerful and therefore it deserves a closer look. Reality television has become one of the biggest revenue makers for television channels and is one of the most popular genres of media provided by television, with pay TV now having niche channels just for reality TV. One of the biggest reality TV shows to hit the world in recent years has been Big Brother, in 2008 Australia had it’s 8th season and other countries clocking up to 16 series.
Does reality television depict reality? The seemingly endless stream of “reality” television shows, along with their rampant popularity, would suggest that the genre lives up to its name. The appeal of this genre is a supposed window to the “back stage” of the lives of interesting individuals. However, the actors and production staff are constantly manipulating the situation to promote a storyline. This essay will use the concepts from Erving Goffman’s The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (1959) to analyse whether two specific television shows accurately reflect reality: Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Big Brother.
Ross and Nightingale (2003) amongst others (e.g. Reiss & Wiltz 2004; Nightingale & Dwyer 2006; Hill 2002) have commented on the significance of Reality TV’s role in revitalising tired media audiences through the introduction of new dimensions to the TV viewing experience. Arguably one of the most popular Reality TV programs on a global level, Big Brother, has largely been the focus of social commentators and some scholars who have researched Reality TV (Reiss & Wiltz 2004). This essay will focus on Reality TV’s strategies for engaging audiences, with specific reference to Ross and Nightingale’s (2003) commentary on the Big Brother phenomenon and its implication for understanding media audiences. In order to examine Reality TV’s strategies for engaging
Maybe that why his show is the highest rated show of the three major US 24-hour cable news channels and also that he began the trend of opinion-oriented prime-time television. But never the less Bill O'Reilly no matter how right or wrong he might on some issues he distorts the news. For example on February 5, 2009 his show talked about
A Celebrity Endorser is a person who is well-known and respected by public and this reputation and influence is being utilized to endorse the product by multinational and also local companies (McCracken, 1989 cited in Roy, Jain and Rana, 2013). About 25 per cent of advertisement in United States is endorsed by celebrities (Shimp, 2000 cited in Silvera & Austad, 2004). Whereas in 2008, the celebrity endorsement in television advertisement has accelerated to 62 per cent compare to 25 per cent in 2001 in Asian countries (Saxena, 2008 cited in Roy, Jain and Rana, 2013). Celebrity endorsement has become one of the most powerful manner or way of advertising in current days (Choi and Rifon, 2007 cited in White, Gaddard and Wilbur, 2009). Celebrities like Tyra Banks for Victoria Secret and LeAnn Rimes for JC Penny has endorsed for these products.
The Fictional Reality In today's society, reality television shows are known to be one of the most popular genre of television. One of the biggest aspect why reality television shows are so beloved by the audience is the fact how ordinary people can gain instant fame. Ordinary people can watch the shows, see people like themselves and fantasize that they too could become celebrities by being on television. However, some instances are just too good to be true. There is a distinct line that separates these so called "reality" television shows from the authenticity of real life.
With the constant change in culture because of what society finds acceptable at that time react from our given surrounds in a specific time period. In this current time period there are three major trends in American culture. Starting off with the biggest is reality television, shows such as “Jersey Shore,” “Teen Mom,” and “Keeping up with the Kardashians.” All these reality shows are a huge hit in America, by being able to watch these people’s personal issues play out is fascinating to some people and boring to others. The second major trend but one of the oldest trends sticking out through many of years would be body modification. Getting things such as tattoos, body piercings, and now things like plastic surgery, such as breast implants are all new ways of people to find joy in enjoying their bodies.
“The Biggest Loser” Shalen Gill Essay # 3 The obesity rates in North America of adults as well as children are among the highest in the world. North Americans tend to forgo nutrition for convenience. (Leigh, 2011) So why not produce a reality show that people can sit on the couch and watch. “The Biggest Loser” is a reality show that was introduced by NBC and first aired on NBC in 2004. (Wikipedia) “The Biggest Loser” has influenced many seasons and adaptations of the show across the world; it has inspired video games, cookbooks, music compilation CD’s of workout songs, work out videos and even new studies based on viewers of this type of reality show.
The blockbuster movie is typically understood to be a work of film in theater or television which gains notoriety and popular appeal to such an extent that audience attendance and overall gross profits of the movie far exceed standard expectations of the time. The blockbuster movie generally surpasses the accepted standard set by similar films and becomes most notable for its popularity as well as its box office profits One key ingredient of a movie's ability to become a blockbuster hit is the concept of mass appeal. For a movie to find ultimate success, it must appeal to a wide spectrum of both male and female movie-goers as well as both young and old audiences. Movie studios typically attempt to combine elements of action and adventure with comedic aspects or a romantic story line within the plot to attract as many people as possible . According to Ph.D. research sociologist Brian Uzzi of Northwestern University, movie buzz can often help a film become a blockbuster hit.
It convenes the message that determination and hard work can surmount any challenge thereby rewriting the American dream in modern lingo. The lead roles are assailed by stars that have already proved their mettle numerous times and it is not surprising that Will Smith - who played Chris Gardener, was nominated for an Oscar for his role in this film. The strength of the story and the power of his character cuts through the script like a blade of steel and the characters alone make evaluating the movie problematic. With their remarkable performances they compensate for any shortcomings that the script might have had. The challenge of the movie was to depict the conflict and tension of Chris Gardener’s life without draining the energy of the viewer.