Reality TV – First DatesKEY CONCEPT: Representation

Compare these two clips, how real are they?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJaY9EO7Ej4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivx3uOfHz4k

ALL reality TV shows are constructed to a certain degree, whether that’s having some

scripted elements, getting people to do certain activities, or just having a camera follow

someone.

TASK Using the handouts provided, work in groups to create a continuum using the

following reality TV shows. Place the titles on the line depending on how real you think they are.

RealityConstructed

Reality

Police, Camera,Action

Strictly ComeDancing

•X Factor•Big Brother•How to look good naked

•Ross Kemp on Gangs•The Apprentice

Why do we watch reality TV? Uses and gratifications theory. Blulmer and Katz (1974) stated that individuals

might choose and use a text for the following purposes

Diversion - escape from everyday problems and routine.

Personal Relationships - using the media for emotional and other interaction, eg) substituting soap operas for family life

Personal Identity - finding yourself reflected in texts, learning behaviour and values from texts

Surveillance - Information which could be useful for living weather reports, financial news, holiday bargains

Is it wrong to enjoy watching people humiliate themselves?

X-Factor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuWVwf9rPJI

Why is it funny to watch people fail? How are these people represented?

Is it fair that people like Simon Cowell are allowed to increase the humiliation with scathing remarks?

Voyeurism Voyeurism is a term used to describe the pleasure

that people get from viewing other people.

First TV show to play on this was Candid Camera:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qHc6OgPs5E

People were filmed without their knowledge, in humorous situations. Again, audiences enjoyed watching the humiliation.

Voyeurism This trend continued with more modern shows like

Trigger Happy TV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTV-YxOwLdA

And more recently, Punk’d http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpAGztnw3WA

And more hilariously, Rio Ferdinand’s World Cup Wind-ups: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZkcqeImKmc

Voyeurism Punk’d and Rio Ferdinand’s show are both attractive

to watch for audiences because famous people are being targeted.

Is it right that shows like Trigger Happy should target ‘normal’ members of the public? Should we be allowed to watch their humiliation?

Are people being exploited, or is it ok for companies to make money from these shows because the people agree to participate?

Participants why are they chosen?

Essex Girl

Homosexual ‘Chav’ Geek

STEREOTYPES!

Participants Stereotypes are important because they help us to

relate the participants with other, similar types of people we know.

This stimulates audience interest in the programme.

How are they represented? Why are they chosen?

In line with Channel 4s commitment to diversity the couples on First Dates are heterosexual, gay, transgender, old, young, able, disabled, rich, poor and from racial/ethnic groups. The age pairings are usually similar.

The couples who appeared in episode six (broadcast in Spring 2016) were as follows:

Kate (35) and Danny (31)

Gary (50) and Wendy (48)

Louis (28) and Sophie (25)

Chris (37) and Joanna ((29)

David (29) and Alex (26)

Participants

First Dates - Task Read the given descriptions of the characters from the show.

In pairs, decide what representations the participants are offering to the audience. For example; new man, flirty woman, middle aged etc.

Write down the key signifiers that helped you to make a decision about each ‘dater’. Do the participants challenge or conform to the stereotype?

Extension. Apply Uses and Gratification theory to each couple. Write down why audiences might be interested in them.

Bad Taste? Some reality shows have really pushed boundaries.

Wifeswap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P4VFjA1WYc&feature=related invaded the family home and swapped family members

Ibiza Uncovered http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ft-ToMWFws showed how young British people spent their holidays – producing a very negative representation of young people.

What values do these shows present to audiences?

TASK You are working for Channel 4.

You have been asked to find 8 participants for a new episode of First Dates. That’s four couples.

Provide a brief profile for the type of people you want to appear in the show. Do not use specific individuals, but rather a set of criteria you might use to filter people who apply.

TASK Using the handouts provided, work in groups to decide where

you would place the reality show First Dates on the continuum.

RealityConstructed

Reality

Police, Camera,Action

Strictly ComeDancing

•X Factor•Big Brother•How to look good naked

•Ross Kemp on Gangs•The Apprentice