Is Reality Tv Like the Truman Show?
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I'm sure many of you remember the Truman Show starring Jim Carey (1998). Lately as I see the ever growing rise in reality tv I think to myself. Is American programming going in this direction? Are we as TV viewers becoming like the folks in this movie, glued to the tube no matter where we go. I'm not saying that we are, however In this lens I plan to explore the possibilities in both areas. While I'm not a huge fan of reality tv, I have seen plenty of it, some for my own interest and some for research purposes. I never liked taking someone elses word for anything, Im one who has to check stuff out for myself.
Jim Carey is known worldwide as the funny man, a title which he has rightfully earned. To me the Truman Show was never really what I would call a funny movie. Oh it had funny parts of course, Jim Carey was in it, enough said. But the plot, story line and overall theme was very sad in my opinion.
Just think, A man whose life was literally robbed from him. Everything in his life was created for the benefit of monotary profit, consumer amusement, and commercialism. Even his memories were not his own, they were just situations created for ratings. Nothing belonged to just him.
Today our programming is filled with this type of reality tv. The only difference? The participants are volunteers. Yet you see hearts break (sometimes for real), you see futures shattered and dreams made reality. Where your dirty laundry and bad habits become public entertainment. One could go so far as to say that participants become a volunteer jester performing for a kings amusement. Except that the king in this scenario would be program viewers.
Jim Carey is known worldwide as the funny man, a title which he has rightfully earned. To me the Truman Show was never really what I would call a funny movie. Oh it had funny parts of course, Jim Carey was in it, enough said. But the plot, story line and overall theme was very sad in my opinion.
Just think, A man whose life was literally robbed from him. Everything in his life was created for the benefit of monotary profit, consumer amusement, and commercialism. Even his memories were not his own, they were just situations created for ratings. Nothing belonged to just him.
Today our programming is filled with this type of reality tv. The only difference? The participants are volunteers. Yet you see hearts break (sometimes for real), you see futures shattered and dreams made reality. Where your dirty laundry and bad habits become public entertainment. One could go so far as to say that participants become a volunteer jester performing for a kings amusement. Except that the king in this scenario would be program viewers.
When did Reality Shows start?
Technically we could go back as far as 1948 with the first Candid Camera by Allen Funt or even the talent style game shows of the 1950's or the first Miss America Pageant in 1954.In the 1960's game shows was the most common form of reality show. Games shows exploded during the 60's & 70's. Some popular 60's & 70's game shows are Lets make a Deal, The Gong Show, The Newlywed Game, The Price is Right, Supermarket Sweep, Jeopardy, Tic Tac Toe, Wheel of Fortune, the list goes on.
In the 80's we had a rash of tag along camera type reality shows such as cops, these shows were originally introduced because of a lack of programming due to the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike.
The first reality show as we know them today was actually one Dutch television one year before The Real World. The Dutch show was known as Number 28. However, on American television, we think of the reality pioneer as MTV's The Real World which first aired in 1992.
In the 2000's we have reality shows based on everything from cooking shows, redecorating, marriage, fear, tattoos, nannys, lobster fishing and much much more.
Do you think there will ever be a Truman style reality show?
I ask myself this question from time to time. I wonder if there ever will be a reality show like the Truman show. Not a ficticious city and all but possibly a child adopted/owned by a company the way they did in the movie. A child that is followed his/her full life for viewing purposes.
Do you think this could ever happen in real life?
Yes, Someone will do it eventually!
No, that could never happen!
Truman Show on DVD & Blu Ray
Different types of reality shows
Most reality shows fall into one of the following categories or sub-categories. Which type do you like best?
Elimination/Game shows
Dating-based competition (Bachelor, Bachelorette)
Job search (Apprentice, Project Runway, Top Chef)
Fear-centric (Fear Factor, Scare Tactics)
Sports (The contender, The ultimate fighter)1 point
Documentary-style
Special living environment (The Real World, Big Brother)
Celebrities (Simple Life, Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica)
Professional activities (Deadliest Catch, American Choppers)0 points
The Bachelor 13 - After the rose ceremony
This is a clip of the after the rose ceremony from the recent season of The Bachelor. The season shocker which very soon was already known by Melissa and ABC Producers.
The Bachelor on Ebay
Will reality tv endure or phase out?
Many believe that reality tv will not endure the test of time and will eventually phase out. I have been following a couple of reality shows myself since beginning this lens and can see how very easy they are to get caught up in. I guess the question one needs to ask themself is if this so called 'reality' is worth the time it takes to watch it. Time moves on and it can't be recalled. I personally think that a little reality tv is ok. However, I also feel that networks have went hog wild with it. There are reality shows on some of the most rediculous topics.Another thing we need to keep in mind is that it is entertainment and most of the time is not true reality. Many people get on these shows for no other reason than a little self publicity. As they say in Hollywood, Any publicity is good publicity!
Then there are others who werent mentally stable enough to handle rejection to begin with. As was proven with a contestant on American Idol Paula Goodspeed. Who after being rejected from the show committed suicide outside the home of Paula Abdul.
All in all reality tv has good points and bad points. I think the most negative effect is folks who spend countless hours watching a so called reality to the point that reality itself is scheduled 'around' these shows.
American Idol - Paula Goodspeed
Paula Goodspeeds original audition for American Idol. I did not post this to laugh at this woman but felt since it was mentioned above the video may explain a little.
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American Idol on Amazon
Connie Talbot - Britians Got Talet
In my own personal opinion one of the best moments in reality tv! Moving to say the least.
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Never judge a book by the cover
Paul Potts
This is one instance where all who saw didn't expect to hear to much which is obvious by the looks on thier faces. Once this man began to sing all expectations were exceeded.
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American Choppers
Reader Feedback
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Jun 9, 2009 @ 9:21 pm | delete
- Great lens! 5* .
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amandascloset0 Jun 1, 2009 @ 3:05 pm | delete
- I would have to totally agree with you on not wanting to ve a voyeur to personal lives. I've never seen the John and Kate plus 8 series and most likely never will. I primarily did this lens because I personally know poeple who can't even go out to dinner on certain nights becuase their favorite reality show is coming on. Sadly I feel like this is no different than throwing your own reality in the trash can so one can watch someone elses. Thank you so much for responding this is the kind of stuff I had hoped to learn in doing this lens. I wanted to know how others viewed this growing interest in reality tv. [in reply to Pastiche]
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Pastiche
Jun 1, 2009 @ 8:17 am | delete
- My favorite reality show is the news. I have no interest in being a voyeur to personal lives or soap opera games. John and Kate plus 8 is a circus - that community is not far from my home. Those poor children.
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Reality TV on Amazon
by amandascloset0
This is a humorous look at the possibility of where reality tv could go in the future. Lets face it no one reacts in front of a camera as they would w... more »
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