reality tv - ema mihaere

How does Hill define reality TV? Describe his definitions in the context of a contemporary Reality TV show

Hill (2005) describes reality TV as being general term. This is due to the fact that reality TV is not contained to a single style. Talent shows like X Factor, documentaries and a variety of other shows fall under the reality TV genre. Another umbrella term for reality TV given by the industry is popular factual and factual entertainment (Hill, 2005). Different countries can have varying notions of what is classified as reality TV. Where one country may classify a fly on the wall series about Jamie Oliver as a documentary and another as a reality show. A definition of reality TV given by Scholar Kilburn (as cited by Hills, 2005) is reality format. This is in relation to the production of reality TV and the need for it to conform to an established formulae of the docu-soap. Kilburn (as cited by Hills, 2005) suggests that one aspect of reality TV is fictional drama in real life, similar to docu-soaps. This is evident in such shows like The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Often simple arguments are exaggerated in order to create drama and pull in audiences in order to create better ratings. Hill (2005) mentions a study where a focus of television watchers were also asked to define reality TV. Hill (2005) also noted they were unable to classify reality TV under a single category but listed things like documentaries of the real life and people programmes. Hills (2005) states that viewers tend to define reality TV as camera’s following people around. If you think of reality TV as such then it much easier to see the similarities of shows such as Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Undercover Boss. In conclusion the various styles of reality TV but they all fall under the popular factual and factual entertainment umbrella term. 

Reference:

Hill, A. (2005) The reality genre. In A. Hill, Reality TV:Audiences and Popular Factual    Television.(pp. 14 – 40). Oxon:Routledge.