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The Reality Of Reality Television

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This paper will attempt to describe the television genre, Reality TV; in terms of its historical, sociopolitical and industrial context of its time as well as its meaning and significance from the year 2000 onward. It will also discuss how the genre of Reality TV establishes its media practices in terms of production and consumption. The “reality” in Reality television can best be understood as a social construction, one that uses purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations featuring ordinary people instead of professional actors that create a form of entertainment to viewers. There are ten sub-sections that compose reality TV; competition/game shows or dating shows, documentary style shows, hidden camera shows, hoax shows, renovation shows, self improvement shows, social experiment shows, supernatural and paranormal shows and talk shows. Reality TV is one of the most highly ranked viewing genres in television boasting a huge personality with a diverse audience. Reality TV has a history that spans over 60 years, but it was only since the beginning of the 21st century that it has become the most popular form of entertainment. So what makes reality TV work so well? Some say it’s the stakes; making high-pressure decisions with no time to think, engaging in the process of elimination and competition. Reality TV consists of people working in high stress conditions, be it the threat of being sent home or the date who may be turned down. It’s synonymous with drama

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