This week we will be talking about the different types of reality tv. With the demand for different, crazy, and wacky television shows from the audience of this generation, there is a reality show for everyone. Some shows bring you celebrities who some may not even remember and put them in situations to see what happens while others call for a random guest in the audience to come and stage and compete. There is so many reality shows out there that not finding one that fits your interests seems, in a way, pretty impossible.
We by using some examples of shows to talk about the different kinds of shows. First, we have the all famous American Idol. American Idol is a contest where the average Joe gets a shot at fame. The contestant auditions in to enter the contest and then they have to survive each week until the end where they win a shot at a record deal. Next, we have the Tool Academy. Tool Academy is a show in which couples come to live at a mansion where the guy is put through test to see whether he is a “tool” and just using his girlfriend, or to see if he actually loves her. Each week the most “toolish” guy left is asked to leave the show until there is only one couple left who wins $100,000. Another show would be The Price is Right. The Price is Right is a show where random guests get picked from the audience to come on stage and get a chance to win many different prizes. Yet another type of show would be one such as Jeopardy. Jeopardy is a show where knowledge gets you the farthest. You pick a category on a board and a statements is read to you. You must answer the statement with a question like; what is, or who is. Each show has a winner who moves on in the rounds to compete against other contestants until there is a Jeopardy similar to a championship. Last, we have the love shows like Rock of Love. This is a show where Bret Michaels has a lot of girls to choose from to be his girlfriend. He puts them through certain events or tests to see how they handle the situations and he determines in the end, who he will call his girlfriend.
These few shows do not even put a dent in the reality show variety of today. And as you can see there is definitely a variety to choose from.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
American Idol, a Chance Maker
This week, I am going to talk about reality shows that have everyday people trying for a chance to be famous because of their talents. The best known and probably favorite show for this would be American Idol. American Idol is a show where people from across the country do a singing audition to get a chance to win a vocal artist contract. Also, the contestants that remain at the end who do not win are offered a contract by other studios. The thing that the contestants get the most of is fame in the end. Some may not get a long lasting contract that earns them the top dollar or a name that is used in households around the world like Kobe Bryant or Derek Jeter, but while they are the show they are famous.
American Idol is a show that gives any person in the world the belief and hope that they can be what they want to be whether it be a famous actor, a professional athlete, an astronaut, or even just a journalist. Just by trying out for something you may become famous. For instance, a young man named William Hung auditioned for American Idol back in 2003. Mr. Hung did not make the cut but his audition using Ricky Martin’s, “She Bangs,” got him his fifteen minutes of fame and a spot on quite a few talk show programs. He appeared on shows such as Entertainment Tonight, the Early Show, the Late Show with David Letterman, and the George Lopez Show. He was even asked to perform at MTV’s Asian Awards. He was so popular that he even created a fan site that had over four million hits in its first week.
What we all should get from Mr. Hung is that even just to try something maybe just once may give you the opportunity to become someone famous or maybe just someone or something you have always wanted to be. So, all I am saying is to not be afraid to go out on a limb and take a chance because you never know what might happen.
American Idol is a show that gives any person in the world the belief and hope that they can be what they want to be whether it be a famous actor, a professional athlete, an astronaut, or even just a journalist. Just by trying out for something you may become famous. For instance, a young man named William Hung auditioned for American Idol back in 2003. Mr. Hung did not make the cut but his audition using Ricky Martin’s, “She Bangs,” got him his fifteen minutes of fame and a spot on quite a few talk show programs. He appeared on shows such as Entertainment Tonight, the Early Show, the Late Show with David Letterman, and the George Lopez Show. He was even asked to perform at MTV’s Asian Awards. He was so popular that he even created a fan site that had over four million hits in its first week.
What we all should get from Mr. Hung is that even just to try something maybe just once may give you the opportunity to become someone famous or maybe just someone or something you have always wanted to be. So, all I am saying is to not be afraid to go out on a limb and take a chance because you never know what might happen.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
History of Reality TV
Reality television has been around for more than sixty years. This is a shock to me considering how big reality shows have been in recent times I would have thought that reality television was somewhat new the world. In fact, the first reality show was called “Candid Camera” which first came about in 1948. This show created by Allen Funt, was based off of his reality radio show from 1947 called “Candid Microphone.” It was a show where ordinary people react to pranks pulled on them similar to what could be considered today’s version of this show called “Punk’d.” “Punk’d,” an MTV reality show hosted by Ashton Kutcher, was first aired in 2003. This show took celebrities in their everyday lives and pulled pranks on them to see how they would react.
Next on the list would be talent shows such as “Original Amateur Hour” and “Talent Scouts.” These two shows feature amateur competitors with audiences making the votes. Today, this would be similar to “Nashville Star” and “American Idol.” Both singing shows where amateurs get to audition to compete in front of a voting audience. The top competitor gets a chance to make it in the big time and be a huge star.
The very famous “Miss America” pageant was born in 1954. This competition had a woman who represented her state compete to win celebrity glamour. Also in the 1950s, game shows such as “Beat the Clock” and “Truth or Consequences” debuted. These shows involved contestants doing wacky stunts, competitions, and pranks.
In 1964, a show that paved the way for ordinary people becoming famous through a reality show was born. In the United Kingdom, the show called “Seven Up!” took ordinary seven year olds from all different classes of society and asked them questions to see how they would react to situations in life. Every seven years, they would take those same kids who were once seven and ask them more questions, these sequels were called “7 Plus Seven” and “21 Up.” Today, shows that would make ordinary people celebrities would be shows such as “The Real World” and “I Love New York.”
As you can see, the reality shows that were born long ago have given today’s reality show creators a template to make new and improved reality mania.
http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/punkd/series.jhtml
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/C/htmlC/candidcamera/candidcamera.htm
Next on the list would be talent shows such as “Original Amateur Hour” and “Talent Scouts.” These two shows feature amateur competitors with audiences making the votes. Today, this would be similar to “Nashville Star” and “American Idol.” Both singing shows where amateurs get to audition to compete in front of a voting audience. The top competitor gets a chance to make it in the big time and be a huge star.
The very famous “Miss America” pageant was born in 1954. This competition had a woman who represented her state compete to win celebrity glamour. Also in the 1950s, game shows such as “Beat the Clock” and “Truth or Consequences” debuted. These shows involved contestants doing wacky stunts, competitions, and pranks.
In 1964, a show that paved the way for ordinary people becoming famous through a reality show was born. In the United Kingdom, the show called “Seven Up!” took ordinary seven year olds from all different classes of society and asked them questions to see how they would react to situations in life. Every seven years, they would take those same kids who were once seven and ask them more questions, these sequels were called “7 Plus Seven” and “21 Up.” Today, shows that would make ordinary people celebrities would be shows such as “The Real World” and “I Love New York.”
As you can see, the reality shows that were born long ago have given today’s reality show creators a template to make new and improved reality mania.
http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/punkd/series.jhtml
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/C/htmlC/candidcamera/candidcamera.htm
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Ratings in Reality TV
The reality shows of today's world have been big hits with all audiences. Some reality shows have higher ratings than a normal broad casted show such as, "Friends" or "Desperate Housewives." It may not be a shock to anyone to know that the top rated reality show on television it "American Idol." For those of you who do not know what the show "American Idol" is, it is a show where any regular person can audition to enter into a singing competition to win a chance to become a celebrity pop music star. This show on the Fox network has had consistent ratings of being in the top five in reality shows for the entire year in all editions. Currently, the Tuesday night edition is the top rated show of the year overall. In its third season, "American Idol has always had great ratings throughout. Next on the list of top rated reality shows is "Survivor." This CBS show is a game show that puts a group of survivors in the wilderness to compete for cash and other prizes as well as the main objective of becoming the sole survivor. This show has consistently been rated in the top ten in its five year span on television. The next show on the list is "The Apprentice." This NBC show is hosted by Donald Trump to find a leader of a company that is ruthless and would be able work in the Trump environment. This show has been slipping a little in the past few years but it still remains strong with the 18 to 49 year old group. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," is the next show on the list. This ABC show is a mix between TLC's "Trading Spaces" and ABC's "Extreme Makeover." In this show, people get the opportunity to have there broken down old houses fixed up and made new. The last three shows on the list include, "The Amazing Race," "Supenanny," and "The Simple Life 3."
http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-year-in-review-reality-tv-still-delivering-strong-ratings-despite-missteps-3418.php
I cannot speak for anyone but myself, but for me looking at this list surprised me. I was expecting to see some of the shows from MTV and VH1 on this list such as "The Real World" and "I Love New York." Many of you may have expected the results that are shown here but it really surprised me.
http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-year-in-review-reality-tv-still-delivering-strong-ratings-despite-missteps-3418.php
I cannot speak for anyone but myself, but for me looking at this list surprised me. I was expecting to see some of the shows from MTV and VH1 on this list such as "The Real World" and "I Love New York." Many of you may have expected the results that are shown here but it really surprised me.
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