Reality television (also known as reality show) is a television programming genre that presents unscripted and humorous situations, documents actual events and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors. Much of reality television programming falls into a subcategory as certain collections of shows within the genre use specific themes and focuses or incorporate elements from other genres, i. e. , reality documentaries, reality game shows, reality legal programming. Reality television began in 1938 with Alan Funt’s TV series Candid Camera.
The genre exploded as a phenomenon around 1999–2000 with the success of such television series as Big Brother and Survivor. Programs in the reality television genre are often are produced in a television series. Documentaries, television news and sports television are usually not classified as reality shows. Reality television offers viewers a glimpse into the lives of people that might otherwise not be seen. It can also be seen as a platform for the subjects of the programs, to clear up misconceptions, and show their story or struggle.
The genre covers a wide range of television programming formats, from game show or quiz shows which resemble the frantic, Japanese variety shows produced in Japan in the 1980s and 1990s (such as Gaki no tsukai), to surveillance- or voyeurism-focused productions such as Big Brother. Reality television frequently portrays a modified and highly influenced form of day-to-day life, at times utilizing sensationalism to attract audience viewers and increase advertising revenue.
Participants are often placed in exotic locations or abnormal situations,[1] and are often persuaded to act in specific scripted ways by off-screen “story editors” or “segment television producers”, with the portrayal of events and speech manipulated and contrived to create an illusion of reality through direction and post-production editing techniques. Types of Reality Shows Celeb-Reality: Reality shows with celebrities are a rage with the audience. Examples: Dancing with the Stars, The Simple Life, and Big Brother Prank-Reality: Reality shows that involve pranks played on ordinary people and capturing their candid reaction.
Examples:Candid Camera, Punk’d (Ashten Kuthcher) Game Shows: Reality shows that are based on games. Examples: Who wants to be a Millionaire? ” Hollywood Blocks, Weakest Link Talent Hunts: Reality shows that are looking for talented people be it singers, dancers or even actors. Example: American Idol, America’s Got Talent, Star Search Job-hunts: Shows that are synonymous with live on air interviews are listed under this category. Example: The Apprentice, On the Lot (Directors), Project Runway (For fashion Designers), The Runway (Tommy Hilfiger), Hell’s Kitchen (Chefs) Makeovers: Reality shows with make over stories.
Be it a personal makeover or a home make over, these shows are very popular with the audience. Example: Monster House, What-not-to-wear, While You Were Out Dating-Shows: Reality shows that gave a platform for dating men and women on air. Example: For Love or For Money, Perfect Match New York Social Experiments: A relatively new genre of reality television that involves interaction of distinct social groups. Example: The Beauty and the Geek, Wife Swap, My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé. advantages For one, the main reason reality TV shows were created was to give the average man his fifteen minutes of fame.
It gives anyone and everyone a chance to be on TV; which is a major boost in self-confidence for any person. It’s also something new and different than game shows or sports programs. Teenagers also seem to get great enjoyment out of the programs, because it’s more easy to relate to. It gives the average person a chance to follow their dreams of being on TV, and even to get lucky and win large amounts of money that could turn their lives around. Disadvantages A major disadvantage of reality TV shows is that they are cited as a bad influence on the younger generations.
You will see young kids coming out with bad language, disrespect for their parents and bad habits; all arguably stemming from the people they like or follow on reality TV shows. The shows are concerned with ratings, so it is arguable that there is not much morality going into the production of the shows. There is also a very weird occurrence where the contestants and the audience get so sucked into the shows that they forget that, at the end of the day, it’s still only a reality TV show. It also ruins the privacy of the participants, as suddenly they are drawn into the world of media that surrounds Some Popular Reality Shows
Candid Camera Allen Funt’s one of its kind reality show that targeted easy victims with wise pranks is legendary. Till date Candid Camera re-runs are fun to watch! The Apprentice Donald Trump’s famous quote “You’re fired”, never fails to grab the audience attention. This one of its kind job interview on air is always packed with exciting tasks and rewards for the participants. American Idol The hunt for America’s best singers with the three popular judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul has perhaps been one of the most popular shows in America.
The Simple Life Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie definitely garnered a lot of attention with this reality show as they tried their hand at various professions. Fear Factor The ultimate show that shocked the audience with horrendous tasks for its participants, and allowed them to face their worst night-mares and fears. Fear factor is known for its disgusting tasks that often involved eating bugs or worms. Big Brother The reality show that created ripples when Indian actress Shilpa Shetty accused fellow contestant Jade Goody of making racist remarks.
The controversy generated made the show even more popular than it previously was. Reality Shows on Indian Television Studying the international television scenario, the Indian counterpart has promptly caught-up with the latest trends. Reality television has arrived in India and is here to stay. Reality shows in India date back to the Channel V’s talent hunt for making of a musical band. The band of girls called Viva that emerged from this show enjoyed short-lived popularity but marked the beginning of reality shows in India.
Superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s Kaun Banega Crorepati, which was the Indian version of Who wants to be a Millionaire, was a major hit with the audience in India. What followed next was a flood of reality shows, many of them being adaptations of the pre-existing western versions. Reality shows in India are a welcome break for many of the audience who were tired of cribbing about the Ekta Kapoor’s saas-bahu series that were (and some of them still are) pre-dominant on Indian television. Indian Reality TV is however in its nascent stage and mostly include Indian versions of the reality shows abroad.
However these shows are enjoying tremendous popularity and will definitely give way to more innovative concepts on air. Most Popular Reality TV Shows in India MTV Bakra No one can ever forget Cyrus Broacha’s grinning face and the confusion and bewilderment created amongst his victims. A wicked show with witty pranks followed by loads of laughter. Kaun Banega Crorepati Amitabh Bachchan’s stint on television that was perhaps the first reality show on Indian television to garner humongous audience response. The second season of the series was hosted by Shahrukh Khan but did not seem to fare just as well. Indian Idol
This show has been one of the most popular reality shows on Indian television and perhaps due to the voting factor. With boys next-door turning into ultimate singing sensations, this show already has completed three seasons. Sa Re Ga Ma What started as a humble talent show hosted by Sonu Nigam soon metamorphosed into an ultra-glam, uber-dramatic reality show with the various celebrity judges like Himesh Reshamiya, Alka Yagnik, Abhijeet and Ismail Darbar constantly at loggerheads with each other. Big Boss The Indian version of UK’s Big Brother was the most sensational and controversial reality show in India.
Although long forgotten Actor Rahul Roy emerged as the winner, it was people like Anupama Verma, Aryan Vaid (due to their on-air love affair) and Rakhi Sawant (due to her in-your-face attitude) who got instant recognition from this show. The Great Indian Laughter Challenge This hunt for India’s biggest comedian created a laughter riot on air with almost all its contestants enjoying tremendous popularity. Star Judges Shekhar Suman and Navjyot Singh Siddhu enjoyed great following too. Nach Baliye An original concept that involved celebrity couples trained by their choreographers battling against each other in an entertaining dance competition.
The show has celebrity judges like Saroj Khan, Malaika Arora Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Kunal Kohli, David Dhawan, Eesha Koppikar and Vaibhavi Merchant. The first season was extremely popular and so was the second one, however the third season seems to be losing its charm. Jhalak Dikhlaja This was the Indian version of the hit show Dancing With the Stars, which was also very popular. The first season had celebs like Mona Singh, Mahesh Manjrekar and Shweta Salve as participants and Farah Khan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Shilpa Shetty on the judges panel.
The show is currently in its second season with Shiamak Davar, Urmila Matondkar and Jeetendra on the judging panel whereas the participants include celebs like actress Sonali Kulkarni, anchor Mini Mathur and singer Mika. Reality shows seem to be a huge trend on television, but anything that is popular has to bear the brunt of constant criticism and analysis. Controversies about these reality shows being ‘planned and scripted’ or the voting lines being a hoax continue to rise every now and then. Sometimes reality is stranger than fiction,
