Reality television shows fulfill public's voyeur desires
From: University Wire | Author: Katie Leff
06-10-2002
(Daily Bruin) (U-WIRE) LOS ANGELES -- Voyeurism is in vogue, and in recent years television producers have been cashing in on a phenomenon that has captivated the country.
Reality television allows audiences to laugh, cry, and live vicariously through every day individuals experiencing things that, until the moment they are broadcast, most people only dream about.
Whether people tune into these shows because they contain elements audiences would like to experience themselves, or to laugh at the mistakes of others and celebrate for not being as socially inept as the people on television, reality programming is a cultural phenomenon that has exploded in the media.
One of the most popular manifestations of the genre is the slew of dating shows that have bombarded the airwaves. Shows such as "ElimiDate," "Blind Date," "Fifth Wheel," and "Rendez-View" present young singles looking for love, adding humorous touches such as graphics, thought bubbles and commentary to further enhance the audience experience.
"People of all ages understand it because they're either going through it, or they can relate to it because they've been there and they know the ups and downs of dating and how difficult it is," said Tom Kline, producer of "Rendez-View," "Blind Date" and "Fifth Wheel."
The universality of reality television is the fuel for the fire which is quickly spreading across television programming and into homes everywhere. Regardless of one's reason to either go on the show, or to watch from home, everyone is interested in dating.
"Love is a subject that will always fascinate people. Maybe it's finding a life mate, or a soul mate. Maybe it's just finding someone decent to go out with in L.A.," said Alex Duda, the executive producer of "ElimiDate."
The universal desire for love and the anxiety that comes with finding it fosters a broad market that appeals to a voyeuristic society. Viewers tune in to see real life translated on their TV sets.
"This happens in bars all over the country every night. We're just putting cameras on the process of natural selection," Duda said.
This process of natural selection is sped up is taken back to its survival of the fittest roots on CBS's "Survivor," one of the first to hit in this batch of reality shows. On this program, the goal is not true love, but endurance in a series of competitions and eliminations in order to put themselves in the running for a final cash prize. This type of reality programming appeals to a different audience, but the source of attraction is the same. Audiences are given full access to the daily actions and inner thoughts of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
"It's refreshing to see everyday people getting some of the spotlight, rather than just seeing movie stars all the time," said Presley Weir, a CBS News Associate.
The same element of being human that encourages people to gossip about the lives of their friends, family, and even total strangers is what fosters an audience for reality television. Much like a car crash on the side of the freeway, glimpses into the interior workings of other human beings is often times shocking, yet impossible to turn away from.
It was this theory that spawned what is often called the forerunner of reality television shows, MTV's "The Real World."
On this show, seven strangers are picked to live together, to find out what happens when people with different backgrounds and points of view are left in close quarters. Their daily lives are taped, then edited together for the entertainment of the MTV audience. Part of "The Real World" experience is time in the confessional, a private moment for the cast member to dish the dirt on the other roommates, what's happening in the world, or what is going on in their own life.
There is a cyber version of this, in the form of online diaries on Web sites such as DearDiary.com and LiveJournal.com. Real people keep diaries online that are free for public perusal for anyone who wants to log on and have instant access to their most private and innermost feelings.
"I think LiveJournal appeals to college students more strongly than most people. Part of this is because college students tend to be more social and outgoing than most, but a lot of it is because the technology is second nature to them. They were raised on the Internet and they aren't afraid of it," said Mark Kraft, the business manager for LiveJournal.
The journals are kept under screen names, but what is written is often intensely personal and the true identities of the writers are many times revealed by name and even picture. This is simply another forum for the voyeuristic nature of society to manifest itself.
"Online journals proved a comparatively safe and supportive environment for people to express themselves. The risk of putting yourself out there is minimal in some ways, since your journal is just one of many," Kraft said.
Whether the aim is money, love, creative expression, or just a chance to be seen on TV, the effect on audiences is the same. People like to know that they are not alone, that there are others who are going through the same life experiences that they are and often make the same mistakes. This universal need for validation has been marketed, the result of which is the recent influx of reality television upon the media. Despite the changing needs of society and the fickleness of television audiences, the human need to relate has provided a market for this genre.
"It doesn't matter if you're straight, or gay, or whatever; everyone still has to deal with the same stuff," Kline said.
