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 Have
I been unrealistic? Hoping that some of reality TV might be a
passing fad.
In fact, is television of the future already here?
Reality programming, it seems, is a perfect fit for a culture
obsessed with fame, fortune and fashion. Voyeurism sells. Ratings
and telephone polls confirm that. And save us from not so random
focus groups.
According to TV Tracker, which monitors trends in the broadcast
industry, 56 network reality shows will air this Fall, up from 51 in
2006. Pilot orders have jumped 50%. Entire cable networks, including
MTV and Bravo, are again stocking their lineups with the genre.
Short term profits are an unquenchable thirst.
Production costs for an hour long “unscripted” show can be as much
as 60% less than for an 60-minute drama.
Utilizing average people, in search of their 15 minutes of fame,
allows producers to forego salary levels typically paid to
professionals.
What’s more, reality shows are easy fillers or replacements for
high-cost
drama series which go down in flames.
But why call the shows “un-scripted?
It’s clear that writers play a key role. They write copy for the
host, they shape
the story line and decide which subjects to focus on. Character
development
and dramatic sequence are also part of their role in the show’s
development.
In some cases, it’s reported that participants are coached what to
say in
promotional interviews.
For a lot of years (nee the golden days of radio) game and quiz
shows were
always big favorites. Television is no different. After all,
audience participation
shows have the lowest upfront cost. They can burn out more quickly,
but are
enormously profitable.
And now TV has added dollars to the bottom line by tacking on profit
from
text-message voting paid for by viewers.
According to the website (REALITYTV.ABOUT.COM) there are, at this
writing, at least a dozen new entries on the Fall schedule. The
people may be
real but you’ll have to admit that some of the situations are a
stretch.
Here’s an advance look, before the shows ever get to us.
Farmer Wants a Wife (CW): City girls move to the country and
compete for the heart of one farmer.
World Moves (NBC): Global Dance competition, with call-in votes.
Kid Nation(CBS) A group of children (8 to 15 yrs of age) leave
modern comforts behind to spend a month rebuilding a New Mexico
ghost town.
The Search for the Next Great American band (Fox): Bands of all
ages and music styles compete for a recording contract. Viewers
vote each who goes and who stays.
Kitchen Nightmares (Fox): Hell’s Kitchen chef Gordon Ramsey goes
on the road to help restaurants in crisis.
Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants (CW): Mother-daughter teams
compete in a beauty contest
Oprah Winfrey’s The Big Give (ABC): Contestants are challenged to
make a difference in people’s lives. Field is narrowed each week,
and the most driven and passionate contestant wins the chance to
make the biggest impact.
Nashville (Fox): Cameras roll as a group of young, diverse musicians
try to make the Nashville scene.
Lady or a Tramp (Fox): A group of “rude and crude “ party girls are
sent to charm school to learn how to behave like ladies. One girl is
expelled in each episode.
They tell me Lady and/or Tramp is not a sure-bet for the Fall
season.
Apparently though, another Fox gem “Anchorwoman “ is set to hit air
later this summer, with a former bikini swimsuit model in the anchor
chair.
Lauren Jones had a test run during a four-week stint on regular
newcasts at the CBS affiliate in Tyler, Texas.
Talk about blurring lines between news and entertainment.
The 24-year-old Jones is a former beauty pageant semi-finalist, and
a hostess
on the wrestling show “Smackdown.” It was damage control almost from
the
start. On Day-2. she unintentionally ruined another reporter’s live
shot by dancing in the background.
If “Anchorwoman” can’t make it, Laurn, how about trying “So You
Think You Can Dance?”
.........................................................................................................................
Gene Farinet, an award winning veteran newsman, spent much of his long
career at NBC News as a writer and producer working with Frank McGee,
Ed Newman, John Chancellor and Tom Brokaw, covering space, politics
and special projects everywhere in the world.
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