Reality Television Formulas

Reality Television Formulas

            The formulas that apply to Reality Television really depend on which show the viewer enjoys. Each show has its own story line that is filled with drama.  Some stereotypes that can be found are the aggression of African-American males, hillbillies from the south, lower income, and the list could go on. 

            The stereotype showed up on Bravo’s Top Chef. In the second season, one of the top chefs, Cliff, and African-American male, was asked to leave the show for “aggressive behavior” (Gaulin, 2007). In another episode, Cliff and another chef were involved in a physical contact.

            Villains also exist in Reality Television shows.  Take for insistence Simon Cowell from “American Idol”. Performers on American idol must pass through the insults of Simon. He never holds back his tongue, not even from his co-judges. Once, he asked a contestant if she had a singing teacher. She replied yes, and he asked her she had a lawyer. When the answer was no, he advised her to get one and sue her singing teacher (Anees, 2008). One of my favorite shows, “The Apprentice” there is the villain Omarosa. For Omarosa you either listen to her or you don’t she takes charge and it’s her way always. She is very fast at stabbing the other celebrities in the back.

            These two examples of different formulas of popular culture make these realities show such a hit. Viewers enjoy watching people argue; fall in love, relationships crumble, and hillbillies act like fools.

References:

Anees, S. (2008). The 15 Meanest Reality TV Villains. Retrieved from ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/15-meanest-reality-tv-villains/story?id=4694189#.UYPAaCnD9jo

Gaulin, P. (2007). Do Reality TV Shows Perpetuate Sterotypes About Young African-American Males? Retrieved from Yahoo Voices: http://voices.yahoo.com/do-reality-tv-shows-perpetuate-stereotypes-young-188121.html