Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to enlighten and explore the authenticity of reality shows when producers design challenges for the participants and then editors alter filmed scenes. The reality television shows have experienced substantial growth in last couple of years. Nonetheless, the reality shows currently online are not the pioneers of the non-scripted shows as the concept has been incepted since 1950s. The paper will analyze reality shows authenticity by using the context of two reality shows “American Idol” and “The Bachelor”. Moreover, the paper also highlights the controversies experienced by these non-scripted shows.

Table of Contents

Introduction3

The Rise of Reality Television Shows and Controversies4

American Idol5

The Bachelor6

Conclusion7

How Authentic Can Reality Shows be When Producers Design Challenges for the Participants and then Editors Alter Filmed Scenes?

Introduction

There are several controversies regarding the realities shows. Some argue that the reality shows are scripted just like the movies and the rest of the scripted series on television. Nonetheless, other portray that reality television has experienced a boom and the perception that reality shows are scripted is vague. Reality television depicts participants' everyday life, although it takes place in artificial settings, not the participants' own homes. Programs such as Survivor send participants to a lonely island with only the basic equipment for survival, and the Real World puts seven strangers up in a luxurious house in an American metropolis. Except for the Real World Paris and Real World London, all shows were filmed in the United States.

Another advantage of reality series with a steady cast is that characters that occur regularly are likely to be perceived by viewers as more reliable. Reliability of a television personality positively correlates to PSI and may thus lead to higher ratings. Because a recurring television personality is presumably more reliable than one who appears on the show only once. In its relatively young history, reality television has drawn much attention from media analysts. Most authors, however, are still trying to develop a definition and explore the effects of the genre. Very few scholars have researched viewers' motives for watching reality television, let alone the relationship between viewers and participants on the screen. Even reality television itself has not been clearly defined.

The Rise of Reality Television Shows and Controversies

The appeal of characters on reality TV lay in the paradox. While viewers expect participants to be entertaining and exciting, they also want them to exude sincerity and authenticity. This is usually achieved as time passes and viewers get to know the participants and their role within the group better. Besides authenticity of and regular exposure to the participants, part of the process of engagement depends on the viewer's ability to make a personal connection with the human beings participating in the reality program (Roman, 89). This connection can be friendly or hostile. This dynamic of protagonist versus antagonist spreads across all forms of cultural expression. It, too, evolves over time and is a crucial element of reality television drama.

The fact that reality show consumers value honor slightly less than non-consumers could be explained ...