Is "Reality Show" a misnomer? Is "Live Game Show" better?
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: Archive TWO: Is "Reality Show" a misnomer? Is "Live Game Show" better?

Bastable

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 01:48 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
While we're waiting for the jury to ask its questions of Dani and LiLi...

Lately, when people ask me if I like "reality TV," I've started to reconsider my answer. Let's face it, the media almost always subtly denigrates shows dubbed "reality." Personally, I'm getting offended when people say I watch BB3 or Survivor because I'm a voyeur. I watch these shows for the gamesmanship, the intrigue, the competition--judging from these boards, we all do!

I have begun to feel that Big Brother, Survivor, The Mole, Fear Factor, and shows like this shouldn't be called "reality" at all--certainly none of us here at TVCH would ever confuse what's happening on these shows for "reality." "Reality TV" is what you get when you simply turn on the cameras without rules: "The Real World," "The Osbournes," and Anna Nicole Smith's show are all "reality TV" shows.

Maybe the misapplication of "reality TV" happened way back when MTV created "Road Rules" right after "The Real World." Critics had no better term for competitive shows like these, but because they star everyday people, they lazily called them "reality TV," too.

In fact, these shows are their own genre, and that's worth defending! They're just high-concept game shows! BB3 is, in fact, a game show. For lack of a better term, it's a "Live Game Show."

Do you wish media critics and journalists would refer to this show as a "live game show" and save the nickname "reality TV" for shows that truly are fly-on-the-wall?

Crazydog

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 01:52 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
FWIW, the Emmys would call it a "Non-Fiction Show".

Bobodaclown

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 01:54 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Reality TV's brand of "reality" is about as fake as it comes.

Bastable

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 01:56 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hmmm.... I don't think "Non-Fiction Show" does it for me. That doesn't sound much different from a documentary (though I know it is), and doesn't even pretend to account for the heavily produced aspect of these shows. There are so many of them now--on top of the ones I mentioned above, there's The Amazing Race, Temptation Island, Love Cruise, Dog Eat Dog, Meet My Folks, The Bacholor, and on and on--so surely they deserve their own specific category by now?

But what should they be called, then?

Lurknomore

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 02:02 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
How about "Unknown amibitious people who want to be stars and earn some $$$, but have no known talent?" I'd say that title fits.

BTW, I think this is why the Osborne's were SUCH a huge hit. As weird as they are, they were the real deal. True reality TV. Given the ratings maybe Arnie should see REAL can sell!

What555456

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 02:11 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I like "scripted but unrehearsed."

Weinermr

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 02:25 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
No, I think Big Brother is DEFINITELY a microcosm of how the world works and people interact. Reality show is a perfect description.

What555456

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 02:27 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Do you really think that Weinermr? Interesting. While I know some people in my life who act as these people do, they are not many. I see little parallels between BB3 and what goes on in my life -- except on the periphery.

Weinermr

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 02:36 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Yes What, I do really think so. The Big Brother House does not represent all the personality types one encounters in real life. But given the kinds of people with which they populate it, I find their behavior to be predictable and familiar.

What555456

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 02:39 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I would agree with that, Weinermr. After a very short while, one can pretty well predict how each person is going to act which means we must come across these types of people a lot. Point well taken

Crazydog

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 03:16 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
LOL, wasn't there a thread about how there are only so many personality types in the world and how each of them fit in? It mysteriously <g> vanished after I suppose some of it turned into characterizations of behavior (particularly those classifying the "trashy girl"). Sorry I can't remember who started it but it was interesting even though I disagreed with some of the classifications.

Bastable

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 03:41 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
But Weinermr, by your definition, "The Cosby Show" could be reality TV because it depicts the way life really is... are you saying that in your life, you vote out one family member each week?

Oregonfire

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 03:50 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I guess it depends on how broad the definition of "reality show" is. If the HGs are playing a game, and we are watching them, then we are watching *their* reality. But I see how the term could be considered imprecise. (OT: I don't know what the h*ll I'm watching with the Anna Nicole show, but it makes me fell dirty when it's over.)

The problem with coming up with a new term is having it actually catch on. It has to be short, pithy, and catchy, but not too cute. Maybe just "reality game show," which is not glamorous, but descriptive and accurate.

Rabbit

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 04:05 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
"Real People In An UnReal Situation Going Insane Before Your Eyes And If They Were European They Would Have SEX On Camera Game Show"

How's that OF?

Oregonfire

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 04:10 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hey, whatever makes your bunny ears stand up straight, Rabbit.

Phillymom

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 04:14 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
ROFL, oregon. I almost spit my drink out on that one.

Weinermr

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 07:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Bastable, I could answer your question, but Rabbit has the last word. As usual.

Curlyq

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 08:05 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Good points, Bastable. I've always preferred to think of them as prime-time game shows myself, because I prefer to emphasize the competition rather than the voyeur aspect. While Emmy uses the term "Non Fiction Program (Reality)" for The Osbournes, this year Survivor was put under the "Special Class Program" category (along with Trading Spaces, an AFI special, an I Love Lucy special and a documentary). I guess Emmy doesn't know what else to call these shows either.

My reason for not accepting the term "reality" is that it's very rare in reality to be shut up in a house full of strangers and forced to compete for food and rewards while also voting to evict someone every week in order to get $500,000. It's also very rare in reality that a group of strangers would be stranded on an island and then expected to run obstacle courses every three days.

I also have to say that these people do not represent the people I meet everyday in my reality. I don't think I've ever seen this many of the same type of person all in one place. They're hand-picked for ratings, not for how fully they'll resemble the many different types of people in the real world.

Eden

Monday, September 23, 2002 - 10:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I think the shows are called "reality shows" because the plots are driven by the participants, who are "real" people, not scripted, per se. (as much as you think they may be manipulated by producers, it isn't the same thing). I don't think the name or games have any bearing on REALITY as pertains to society at large.

Bastable, I agree with you as to why I watch. But I don't think that every fan watches for those reasons. That becomes obvious when you read this board.

Bastable

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 10:24 am EditMoveDeleteIP
As someone pointed out in another thread, CBS's own Web site is full of references to the show as a "game." Perhaps "live game show" really is the best tag.