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 a genre that utilizes many methods in attempt to produce a popular media outlet for the general public to view. The methods that reality TV implement to create this environment include the use of unscripted dialogue, non-profesional actors, hand held cameras and surveillance footage. Furthermore, this genre allows the audience to view content live without manipulation. Hill (2005) goes on to categorize reality TV into three concise sub-categories by describing different characteristics of each one. The first category includes programmes that are informational based and features shows that focus on law and order. In addition to this, programmes that follow the daily lifestyles of an individual or a family falls under this genre such as ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’. Lastly, the genre of reality TV includes progammes that are based on competion and participants are placed in a situation wherein one winner leave with a prize such as ‘Survivor’ or ‘Xfactor’.
Hill (2005) describes reality TV as being a genre that utilizes many methods in attempt to produce a popular media outlet for the general public to view. The methods that reality TV implement to create this environment include the use of unscripted dialogue, non-profesional actors, hand held cameras and surveillance footage. Furthermore, this genre allows the audience to view content live without manipulation. Hill (2005) goes on to categorize reality TV into three concise sub-categories by describing different characteristics of each one. The first category includes programmes that are informational based and features shows that focus on law and order. In addition to this, programmes that follow the daily lifestyles of an individual or a family falls under this genre such as ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’. Lastly, the genre of reality TV includes progammes that are based on competion and participants are placed in a situation wherein one winner leave with a prize such as ‘Survivor’ or ‘Xfactor’.
Today, reality TV remains popular and programmes that follow the personal stories of real people continue to interest the general public (Hill, 2005). However, in recent times, questions have begun to arise surrounding the realism of the stories that focus on the ‘star’ or person telling their recount of events. This is exemplified best by the hit reality programme ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ and how their family went from being largely unheard of to becoming some of the most well known people across the globe. The majority of the series is based around following the family around as they live out their daily routines and includes all the sibling fights that occur and the relationship problems that each sister deals with. Ongoing questions surrounding the authenticity of ‘KUWTK’ has always been a critique of the show and these claims have some merit as spokes people of the show have said in the past that scenes are manipulated to portray a certain angle. Despite this, the public continues to engage in this form of media due to the fact that they enjoy watching real people on TV talking about real stories (Hill, 2005).
Hill, A. (2005). The reality genre. In A. Hill, Reality TV: Audiences and popular factual television. (pp. 14–40). Oxon: Routledge.
Good, thanks Jordan
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