Today in class, we had a guest speaker come and talk to us about the history and the origin of REALity television. Professor Dunning; an entertaining individual, is well associated with behind the scenes HOLLYWOOD. His most notable job was being a script writer with “Nip Tuck”; he got this job simply by being a good go-to guy and networking at the buffet table. He has also worked with Warner bros and other notable mainstream television industries, and has held numerous jobs in casting. He informed us that REALity television started in the 1940’s with Candid Camera then on to Ted Mack’s Amber h and on to You Asked for it. In the 60’s and 70’s reality television moved to relationship games like the Newlyweds and to family based games such as American Family. In the 80’s Cops came to the scene showing crime and action. In the 2000’s shows such as the Real World, American Idol, and Fear Factor started REALity; this was as stated by Professor Dunning, simply because what happens is real yet the editing of the footage makes it not real. So is it really REALity. The situations are manipulated by producers and they cut and paste to footage to make it seem as if what happened was the TRUE actions of the individuals.
At the end of his lecture, he gave us a few tips on how to be casted on a REALity television show. The first thing is to have gratitude; be thankful and tell the casting crew that this will change your life FOREVER. Secondly, he stated that you must have a sympathetic back-story; he stated that though viewers like to see “failure” they also like to see people succeed from a devastating background as well. The last thing he stated was to have a good work ethic; meaning that you are willing to do anything for the cameras; “making good TV.” Professor Dunning also gave us the (stereo)types of people they look for in making these shows; he says if you’re a white male, then you don’t have to worry. The first category is the African American-Men; the angry black, the over-sexed, the buffoon, and the neutered black male; known as the “good” guy. The second category is the Female Stereotypes; this is for ALL females; they are the weepers, the sluts, the divas, the antagonizer/back stabber, and the naive waif.
All in all, I feel that REALity television is all planned and all staged. Today’s lecture really opened my eyes. Although the writers do not write scripts for the shows, the participants on the show are given scenarios of the show and how the show SHOULD go. This thus causes their actions to be manipulated and “pre-meditated”; meaning they have the free will to sit and THINK of or about what they are going to say and do next… Actions that is NOT REAL to their REAL personality. So can we can we change REALity television to manipulated REALity television please?
By: Tyra Jackson
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I agree with Tyra that Reality TV should be renamed. Before yesterday’s presentation/ lecture, I had no clue that Reality TV was manipulated so much! I can’t lie; I’ve always thought it was 100% REAL. I’ve known that “different” people were placed together, but I had no clue that situations were maneuvered also. The part of Professor Dunning’s lecture that stuck with me the most were the race and gender stereotypes. They are very apparent when watching all TV, not just reality TV. Although it’s frustrating that none of the stereotypes given were positive, it’s something that we have grown to accept. While watching TV, we tend to look for the diva--we look for the backstabber-- we look for the over-sexed black man: all of them combined make good television…right?? That’s what some could say, but now that I am gaining a better understanding of reality TV’s history, I am learning not to be so acceptant of things I see on television. Good job Tyra!
ReplyDeleteAmber Ikner
Thanks Amber!
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