Reality TV Casting

Part of the appeal of reality TV is that it offers a look into the lives of ordinary folks like you and me. No writers, no actors, just everyday folks using their strength and common sense. Why, we could be the ones up there on screen winning glorious prizes for outlasting our tribe mates or marrying a pseudo millionaire! But just how real is reality TV?

Not very, say some critics and observers. In fact, reality TV producers manipulate reality in several ways. Otherwise, the shows wouldn’t attract the ratings they have. After all, who would tune in to watch people in their own homes living a perfectly average day?

The first way that reality is manipulated is that the participants are removed from their everyday environment. Whether they are marooned on an island or housed in a resort, they are fish out of water and their access to resources depends on the goodwill of the producers.

Second, the participants are placed in competition with each other. Only one person can win the grand prize, whether that prize is a cash reward, a television contract, or the love of another person. In order to stay on the show, contestants must face difficult challenges. Each show usually ends with at least one contestant being sent home. Thus the focus of reality TV is manufactured conflict.

The conflict is usually heightened by the selection of participants. Producers know that conflict means ratings, so they try to cast each show with people who are natural opponents such as an out gay man or lesbian and a homophobe or a strong, take-charge woman and a sexist man. Such pairings are almost guaranteed to keep conflict going and provide hours of arguing for the entertainment of viewers.

Finally, even with the controlled environment and the inherent conflict, reality TV shows must still be edited to create a “storyline.” Editors sort through countless hours of mundane activities to find the moments fraught with tension and conflict. If two participants get along great for 99% of the day, but exchange sharp words once, it is likely the argument that you will see. Similarly if a participant says many positive things about another participant but adds, “I wish he weren’t so controlling,” you’re likely to see only the complaint about the controlling behavior and none of the compliments that came before.

Careful editing can make smart people appear dumb, nice people seem like villains, and casual friends look like lovers.

Over and above these obvious manipulations, there is some question about whether reality TV producers go even a step further and try to manipulate the results of the competition. In 2001, for instance, Stacey Stillman sued the television program Survivor claiming that the executive producer had encouraged other contestants to vote her off the island instead of a player who was more popular with viewers. CBS, the network that airs Survivor, has vehemently denied these charges. Other series that have been accused of rigging outcomes include The Amazing Race, American Idol, and Big Brother. Even many of the staunchest reality TV fans admit to wondering if the outcomes are really as random as they are made to seem.

In the end, no one has ever been able to prove that the outcomes of these shows are fixed. One thing is certain, though. The situations in which the participants interact with each other are so carefully manipulated that they bear little, if any, resemblance to reality.

Over the past several years, reality TV has gained much popularity among television viewers all over the globe.  The nature of this type of television has been evolving for quite some time, with the existence of court TV, and the development of a number of shows seeking the next big entertainer.  Now, there is a reality show that is sure to suit almost any interest and commandeer the attention of a loyal fan base.  These shows are fun to watch and interesting to follow; but what if you had the opportunity to actually participate in one?

When raised, this question congers up many images.  Many people choose to watch a particular reality show because it coincides with their interests, but when it comes to participation, there is more that must be factored in that interest alone.  First, you would want to find a show that you could directly relate to, and meet with at least some success.  For example, if you are not a singer, you would not want to seriously audition for a show designed to find the next pop star.  The idea is usually to win, so that is what you should set out to do.

Still, choosing a reality show could be difficult.  People learn from watching others, and what better way to become familiar with a show and all it entails than to watch and see how it works.  The key is to find a show you would enjoy, since remaining on it will take up a lot of your time.  Find something that allows you to use your skills and personal attributes.  This is important because you will most likely be competing for something.  Everyone else around you will carry that same mentality, so it really does become a matter of survival of the fittest.

While reality shows are fun, you’re really in it to win.  You will want your face to be the one people will look forward to seeing every week, so choose a show where you can really excel.  Your choices are numerous and diverse, so you should have no problem finding a show that will suit you.  The opportunities are endless.  The beauty is that often times you will have the chance to repeat your performance the following year should you not make it to the end of the season.  No matter which show you choose, have fun.  If you are enjoying your performance, the audience will pick up on that, and it will go far to enhance your ratings. 

Reality TV has become a popular form of entertainment.  Now, people all over the world are turning on and tuning in to see the latest hype about their favorite “real” situation and those taking part in it.  Whether their interests lie on a desert island or the big city and bright lights, it is easy to find something to satisfy your yearnings.  The vast range of topics that reality TV has come to encompass has made it near to impossible to ignore, and that is, perhaps what makes this newer form of entertainment interesting to those who watch.

Over the past several years, it has become more important for those living in society to connect with those around them.  Reality TV allows those who watch to do just that.  No matter how indirect the connection, it’s still present and very alive.  Curiosity plays a big role in this, as often times, viewers will try to put themselves in a particular situation, and figure out how they might react.  The difference is it’s actually happening to someone and not made up; part of the enchantment is, it isn’t happening to the viewers, which makes it more fun to watch from afar.

Reality TV has turned into somewhat of a real-life soap opera, complete with characters whose fates are often decided in different ways.  In some cases, these fates are decided by viewers, which makes it that much more intriguing.  The reason for this is that people tend to care about something more when they can take an active part in it. 

Reality TV has also given regular viewers the opportunity to directly participate, while just being themselves in the process.  There is, however, a certain amount of falseness that must be incorporated into acting out real situations, because of the nature of television itself, but, for the most part, it’s all about real people facing real challenges. 

This type of television is very unique for a couple of reasons.  The shows are often relatively short in duration, and are usually broadcasted annually, so as not to saturate the airwaves and overstay its welcome.  This also helps boost the ratings for each particular show, as the viewing public isn’t getting too much at one time.

Reality TV has also presented a diverse side to the entertainment industry never seen before.  It has become fun and interesting to follow each participant, because he or she is a person with a real conflict, and this really matters to viewers.  Whether the show is based around legality issues as seen on court TV, a competition for the next best entertainer, or survival of the fittest, the steaks are always high.  This is, perhaps, why reality TV has become so captivating, and why it is, undoubtedly, here to stay.