The Evolution of Reality TV

The majority of kids and teenagers growing up in the 1990’s could easily recite from memory the following mantra: “This is the true story... of seven strangers... picked to live in a house...work together and have their lives taped... to find out what happens... when people stop being polite... and start getting real...The Real World.” MTV’s smash hit reality show first appeared on the scene in 1992 and sparked a revolution in television programming. The dawning of the Real World started America’s obsession with reality TV and the progression has taken viewers in many different directions. From extreme sports in Fear Factor to mind games in Big Brother to dating shows such as the Bachelor, reality TV has become a fixture of American television viewing. For an industry that started by putting seven strangers in a house and taping their every move, reality TV has become of the highest grossing sectors of the entertainment industry.

The original Real World season was filmed almost like a low budget horror movie with poor lighting and a horribly grainy picture. With the progression of technology and the introduction of high definition television, the antics of the housemates are now captured in unbelievable clarity, even under the cover of darkness. The progression from low budget shows to the blockbuster reality series such as Survivor and American Idol shows the American obsession with reality TV. Both Survivor and American Idol have reached top ratings for an entire season among viewers, out pacing scripted shows with professional actors. This in turn has lead to additional reality TV programming with series such as VH1’s Surreal Life and Discovery Channel’s Little People, Big World.

The popularity of these shows probably stems from the golden idea of everyone getting their 15 minutes of fame. A show like American Idol allows people from all over the country to audition for their chance to make it big in the entertainment industry. Survivor also takes an ordinary person, puts them on national television, and gives them the opportunity to win 1 million dollars. The idea that anyone could possibly win this contest draws a large audience to cheer on the average Joe just like them. Seeing a family member, friend, or acquaintance on a HD TV perpetuates the cycle of people’s desire to become part of the scene.

Although the average person can now audition to become a reality TV star, Americans still have an obsession with the royalty of the entertainment industry. This preoccupation with celebrities has paved the way for shows such as Growing up Gotti, The Simple Life, and The Hills. Ratings for Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton’s reality show, The Simple Life, surpassed many scripted shows. Although Lauren Conrad may not have been a well-known name before the MTV reality show, The OC: The Real Orange County, she was able to create a successful spin-off of the show with a new life in LA. The Hills continuously receives high ratings and has given the reality stars a new level of celebrity. Although reality TV may have started as a low budget show, it is now a thriving multi-million dollar industry that shows no signs of letting up any time soon.

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