REALITY TV VS. DOCUMENTARY

By Mariam, Jude & Jose

Professor Mirrer

MED 3600

09/28/2011

The History Behind Reality and Documentary TV

(Reality TV) Why?CheapRatings magnets

Game Shows → Documentary TV → Handheld Camera → Voyeur (spying)

Made popular by:SurvivorThe Real World/Road Rules Big Brother

The History Behind Reality and Documentary TV (Cont.) Origins:

Lumiére BrothersInfluential pieces of work

○ Nanook of the North○ Triumph of the Will

Style = Cinéma Vérité (Documentary TV) Why?

Information/EducationNiche marketLess profitable (however)

TODAY???For the masses

Citations"Documentary has a lengthy and various history of concern for the historical and social world, the imaging of which in terms of followable and significant action (even for the duration of a scene) continues to pose considerable problems of accessiblity and scopic coherence, despite new technology" (Corner.)

“The promise deployed by reality TV is that submission to comprehensive surveillance is not merely a character-building challenge and a “growth” experience, but a way to participate in a medium that has long relegated audience members to the role of passive spectators.” (Andrejevic, 2004)

Defining Reality Television The emphasis of reality TV is on intense

emotionality, exaggeration and sensationalism. 

It usually covers irrelevant issues, solely for ratings and entertainment.

Examples of Reality TV Shows:

Keeping Up with the Kardashians Jersey Shore Real Housewives of New Jersey The Hills Laguna Beach Toddlers & Tiaras Miami Ink The Real World

Defining Documentary

Documentary is real, it provides statistics and covers issues that are helpful and beneficial.

A documentary looks into a culture of people; usually a single culture of common interests for educational purposes.

Examples of Documentary TV Shows:

Cops True Hollywood Story Good Eats I Love the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s Top Gear Planet Earth Ghost Hunters

Reality TV Show Clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5A738daA-I&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e99ftZR5usU&feature=related

Documentary TV Clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNBpe87yEqg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkVBG4h1WUY&feature=related

Conclusion

Class ActivityInstructions:

○ Pick a piece of paper○ Identify the show as reality or

documentary tv based on what you learned in class.

○ Explain your answer.