Reality TV
WHAT IS REALITY TV?
Because reality television includes such a broad range of programming—everything from dating shows to court TV, it is difficult to pinpoint a precise definition that can apply to all of its various sub-genres. Mass communications specialist James A. Mead defines reality TV ‘‘as an unscripted program that shows real people, not actors nor athletes, active in a specific environment” (3). This description highlights two major components of the genre that set it apart from most other television programs: no set script and non-actors.
However, the ‘unscripted’ content is carefully edited to portray a specific vision and the people are often provoked or manipulated to act in ways that will ensure maximum entertainment. Even though most viewers are aware of this level of artifice, media studies author Amanda S McClain suggests that “the audience is asked to accept the people on reality TV as average, normal people, as ‘us’” (137). The tension between authenticity and performance has become an integral convention of reality TV, and is arguably one of its major points of intrigue.
How does this tension between authentic expression and artifice manifest in the lives of the people of Hometown? How are the characters provoked to act in certain ways? What is Court and Trish's vision for the town?
Behind the scenes of The Bachelorette. From Daily Mail.
WHAT ARE DOCU-SERIES?
There is much contention over whether or not to classify any kind of reality TV under the label of “documentary.” While documentaries are typically created with the intent to inform or call to action, the primary purpose of reality TV is to entertain. Regardless, TV Writers Vault defines docu-style series as a sub-genre of reality TV “that focuses on a specific real world subject, person, profession, lifestyle, family, business or venue.” Some examples include Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Real Housewives, and Deadliest Catch. Docu-style programs differ from other reality TV shows that are more competition-based like Survivor. This distinction is helpful for our purposes because Trish and Court’s brand of reality show aligns more with the kind that follows the trajectory of a particular family.
Docu-series tend to be desirable by networks and producers for their prospective low budgets and engaging real-world drama. The backbone of these shows are strong characters and personalities. The participants frequently face unique situations and challenges, while still existing within a relatable realm of reality. Reality TV in general and docu-series specifically often garner a loyal following because of their perceived connection to the participants.
In what ways does Growing Up Blue as a whole reflect the style and conventions of docu-series? Why might have Court and Trish chosen the Johnson family to star in their own docu-series? What is the purpose of the show? To inform, to entertain, to exploit, to profit?
Behind the scenes of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. From Splash.
GENDERVISION
Like most other pop-culture media, reality TV often reflects and reinforces mainstream society’s concept of gender. Viewers are taught to adhere to the cultural stereotypes associated with the gender they were assigned at birth. Individuals assigned female are expected to be sexual, feminine, and passive, while individuals assigned male are expected to be assertive and tough.
At times, reality TV can also challenge cisnormativity and more traditional gender expressions. Docu-series like I Am Jazz and I Am Cait gave and continue to give visibility to transgender individuals, introducing some viewers to the reality of being transgender for the first time and providing others with thriving role models who happen to also be trans.
Yet these shows and many other portrayals of transgender people on TV simultaneously continue to reinforce mainstream understandings of sex and gender. When viewers only see transgender women who choose to medically transition and embody established beauty norms and gender roles, then it becomes difficult to imagine anything outside of the same transnormative narrative. According to sociologist Austin H. Johnson, transnormativity “describes the specific framework to which transgender people's presentations and experiences of gender are held accountable.” In other words, all transgender experiences are held up to a singular standard. As a result, alternative transgender expressions are deemed less legitimate by popular society.
How is Blue held up to a transnormative standard by others in the play?
Season 1 image for I Am Jazz. From TLC.
