How real are the reality TV shows you watch?
-
Loading... - Ducha Tanui
- 27 Apr 2023
- 76 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Reality television shows have become an ever-present part of modern entertainment. These shows purport to showcase real people in real situations providing audiences with a glimpse into the lives of others. But how real are reality TV shows, really?
The answer to this question is more complicated than a simple yes or no. While some reality shows are more authentic than others all of them are heavily produced and edited to create a specific storyline.
Reality shows often rely on the power of editing to create a specific narrative. Producers have become masters of their art as they cut and splice footage to create a certain storyline or to make a cast member look more sympathetic or vicious.
They may also use music, sound effects, and on-screen text to manipulate the audience's emotions and perceptions.
The participants are coached to act in certain ways to create drama and tension. This is particularly true for shows that feature competitions such as the America’s Got Talent and Big Brother Africa.
More often than not the producers of specifically choose characters for their ability to create drama. The select people are likely to clash with each other or have controversial views in order to create conflict and keep viewers interested.
This means that the people on these shows are often not representative of the population as a whole and their behavior may not be typical of what you would see in real life.
For example with the recent reality TV show that was launched in Kenya in February 2023, Real Housewives of Nairobi, it navigates around the life of personalities who are known to be controversial and have the ability to dramatize. Read More…
