The History of Reality TV
Reality TV is not all that modern a phenomenon. The very first reality TV show was Candid Camera by Allen Funt which was telecast in 1948. The show caught people in embarrassing, funny and light hearted moments. The unknowing participants also seemed to be amused as it was revealed that they were on Candid Camera.
Amusing reality shows like Candid Camera of old days and the present day shows are like chalk and cheese. What remains common is that reality TV has grown with television and has amused millions of television viewers throughout the years.
But even the concepts of catching ordinary people in embarrassing situations are sometimes taken to the extremes. Shows like MTV Bakra remain humorous to the people who are watching it, but social experts often challenge whether the emotional trauma that a participant goes through is justified in the name of entertainment. Modern day reality shows resemble Roman arenas where gladiators fight each other to the death while the crowd cheered on. The creature comforts of the modern world do not seemed to have dulled our bloodlust.
The participants of Candid Camera were caught in embarrassing moments, but their privacy and dignity were protected. No one was hurt. The show was aired when Americans wanted uncomplicated, simple, non-controversial and entertaining programs to be broadcasted into their homes.
The revolution in personal freedom, and the total disdain for the morally superior, virtuous airs was the hallmark of 1960’s. Drug use, the sexual revolution and the anti war movement gained momentum and the mantra was to ‘tell it like it is’. Personal expression to the extent that nothing was held back was the defining characteristic of this time. This was also reflected in TV shows which became more explicit, violent and unforgiving.
The early 1970s saw the reality show “An American Family,” where the public watched an average American family go about their daily lives. The closest that we have come to in India where the personal life of a family or individual is followed, is Rakhee Sawant’s Swayamvar. But the show was quite evidently staged and exaggerated beyond belief just for TRP ratings.
Reality TV changed again to contestants competing against each other to win money or love. They were also eating worms and beetles, being caged with snakes and rats and travelling around the world in an attempt to win big bucks. Competitiveness, materialism and extreme aggressiveness now define the reality TV shows of today.
There are several shows like the Indian Idol, modeled on American Idol, which have a huge fan base. The participants are seemingly given a great chance to have a shot at fame and fortune.
What really goes on during such reality shows is a closely kept secret. Well, it has been a closely kept secret. But not anymore. Australian author Vaughn Alaine-Marshall, in his novel Überstar talks about what happens behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest reality shows. Many contestants broke the confidentiality agreement to tell their story and Alaine-Marshall has done justice to the trust that they have placed in him in this revealing novel.
What the author learnt during the interviews was that the bullying and taunting that happens onstage is just a small glimpse of what really goes on. Überstar is an account of the experiences of several reality show contestants from whom he interviewed after a close family friend who participated in a reality show poured out her heart to him.
Alaine-Marshall’s debut novel provides a new perspective on reality TV. Read this book if you are a reality show fan or you can’t stand the airwaves they travel through...
Questions and Answers
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Indian television is now admiring the inception of reality shows and flooded with the reality dramas to woo the audiences and augment the overall monetary additions. These shows express the appearances of the participants without any added glory and exaggeration. The inner workings of these shows are revealed in the new explosive novel, Überstar (www.uberstarthebook.com)
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Fans of the MTV reality television series Run's House, revolving around the family life of self-styled reverend and musician Joseph "Reverend Run" Simmons, were treated to some choice literary treats from their favorite rap artist over the weekend. Last September 28, the 12th Annual Baltimore Book Festival was held at Mount Vernon Place, located at the 600 block
The world of reality shows is full of facade and dazzle at one side and very dark and shady at other. Vaughn Alaine-Marshall's Überstar is the instant portrayal of the chastity and the facts behind the reality TV show.
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Switch on the television at any time of the day, you are almost sure to find a reality show on some channel or the other. Chances are that you have watched at least one of these shows and have taken a fancy to following the minutiae of the contestants’ lives as they unfold on the small screen right in front of your eyes. Just what is it about reality shows that make them so popular and grabs your attention like nobody’s business?
Love it or hate it, reality shows are here to stay. Several youngsters aspire to be on the shows for a multitude of reasons. Talent hunts, especially for music and dance, are the ones that seem to have many takers.
Reality shows have become a huge part of India’s television screens. It allows the audience to be part of the show along with providing entertainment value via celebrity judges and controversies that arise due to the interactions of contestants on screen.
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of reality TV, you’ll love India’s hottest novel, Uberstar .Uberstar is Australian author Vaughn Alaine-Marshall’s debut novel that follows the lives of eleven hopefuls in the world’s biggest reality TV show.
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