Understanding Reality Television

Su Holmes, Deborah Jermyn

Psychology Press, 2004 - History - 302 pages

'Popular Factual Programming' has rapidly come to occupy a place at the forefront of contemporary television culture on an international scale. Tracing the history of reality TV from Candid Camera to The Osbournes, Understanding Reality Television examines a range of programmes which claim to depict 'real life', from reality formatted game shows to 'real crime' programming and make-over TV. Contributors discuss the phenonenon of reality TV in the context of the debates it has introduced to our social, cultural and televisual agendas, such as the construction of celebrity, fandom, surveillance and the politics of representation.

Contents

• contextualising: 33
• the genesis: 54
• video technologies actuality: 71
• reappraising: 91
• All youve got to worry about is the task having a: 111
• conceptualising time in Reality TV: 136
• Americas Most: 154
• class and transformation in lifestyle television: 173
• Socially soothing stories? Gender race and class in TLCs: 191
• cinemas: 233
• reconfiguring the active audience of cultural: 252
• the competitive culture of Survivor: 270
• framing the new: 290

Bibliographic information

• Title: Understanding Reality Television; Television studies
• Editors: Su Holmes, Deborah Jermyn
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: Psychology Press, 2004
• ISBN: 0415317959, 9780415317955
• Length: 302 pages
• Subjects: History / General; Performing Arts / Television / General; Performing Arts / Television / Genres / Reality, Game Shows & Talk Shows; Social Science / Media Studies