The opening intro of MTV's The Real World. The words used in this intro describes the premise that most reality television shows operate under.
One of reality television greatest assets is that a show can be a tailored to fits its audience. For example the popular competition reality television show Survivor airs on primetime television channel, CBS. Survivor attracts millions of viewers due to its universal appeal. However there are also shows like HGTV’s own Property Brothers. This show about buying and renovating property is more niche and as such does not attract as many viewers but it still is a great asset to the broadcasting network.
Reality television intersects with celebrity culture on an inherent basis. This is because celebrity culture is defined as the idea of idolizing certain people based upon the knowledge of their personal lives and the viewing these people as commercial brands. Reality television intersects with celebrity culture because even though most on reality television start as unknown people off the street they are given a platform, television, which automatically puts them above their fellow neighbor. Furthermore being on a show elevates those stars to a brand as well. The success or failure of the show is usually tied to the stars. Also when one viewer watches a show the star can receive benefits such as higher ratings which helps them. However that viewer is not receiving any bonus from the view besides situational entertainment. Celebrity culture creates a one way channel in which only the reality television star benefits the most.
Celebrity culture and reality television have a unique relationship as well. As for most reality shows with a dedicated cast, those that start as relatively unknown do not remain that way. This because again when viewers are achieved, this raises the value of the stars of the show. For example there was a time where Kourtney Kardashian was not different then any of the other aristocratic portion of Los Angeles and now as a result of the societal elevation, she has recently testified in front of congress. To further this point the early twenties aged cast of Jersey Shore were not paid physical compensation from the first season of the show, instead they were paid $200 a week by the store they worked in as a part of the show. By the show’s sixth and final season the cast took in on average $100,000 per episode (Spellberg, 2018).
Pictured above recording artist Kelly Clarkson while on her season of American Idol
In the ever changing landscape of checking the viability of one’s brands, one way to check is to see how influential one is to see their social media presence is. Kim Kardashian has over 110 million instagram followers and comparative numbers on both Twitter and Snapchat. This amount of influence gives Kardashian the platform to states whatever is on her mind and also allows for product promotion. Kardashian has often placed advertisements on her social media handles for her audience to consume. Most of the time it is a form of self promotion, for her own products but on occasion Kardashian does promote non Kardashian affiliated products. These advertisements can lend Kardashian up to $250,000 per post (Jones, 2017). This meaning that due to celebrity culture Kardashian is put a position to amass a following of her peers to influence them, all the while being elevated above her followers.
11:00-12:00.
This video describes the no lose situation of branding on social media.
Beyond international versions of certain programing, the shows or the stars benefit greatly from a global reach. For example the brand of Kardashians has reached global waters with live shows in Dubai, magazine covers in India, and tours in Japan. Even non reality programing individuals such as former Bollywood star, Priyanka Chopra have extended their reach. In her case she has lead her own U.S. based show Quantico, while also starring in movies and landing on the covers of magazines. Another non reality star is Jackie Chan who amassed a huge following in China first before becoming a global box office draw. These careers are spread through technology allowing news and media from one part of the world to spread easily via text, internet, or other media. The other way careers are built is through cultural diffusion. When visiting another country one takes in all that is perceived as important, including pop culture of the celebrities. These are brought back to their native country and the orginal celebrities influence is spread. When these factors are combined there is a global focus and consciousness created(Edmunds & Turner, 2005). These exact factors are included in global consumerism. As well leading to the brands becoming bigger as well, some examples of worldwide brands are Nike or the celebrity brands of those like Bono and Madonna Together through technology and our very existence humans have created a global culture.
It is in human nature to replicate or mimic what is in front of them. Relating this idea back to coursework there is observation in the book, Seeing the World and Knowing God: Hebrew Wisdom and Christian Doctrine in a Late-Modern Context by Paul Fiddes. In this book where Fiddes discusses the quest for wisdom and explanations for the human behavior. Fiddes describes that humans all realize that life is preordained for the most part,
In this quote Fiddes warns against people following the grain and not rocking the boat. Reality television is all about the average joe suddenly having a platform, and by extension more prestige, just being themselves. The process of gaining this prestige is about changing what is the norm. Celebrity and celebrate are almost the exact same word. Celebrities are people that are celebrated and as stated before those on reality television tend to rise in societal standing.
Imitation however is devoid of that in the animal kingdom [and human world as well]. Imitation is based solely on observations alone. Imitation in the animal world is usually meant to absorb a behavior. Examples of this are common amongst birds. Parrots who mimic human speech, or song birds that can mimic the whistles of humans. Imitation is used amongst animals as well for rewards. In an experiment done with rats, it was found that rats that observed another rat being rewarded for one learned behavior where quick to do the task when given the opportunity (Heyes, 1993). The experiment with the rats is comparable to humans with reality television. People observe what it takes to get rewarded and then when blessed with the chance to imitate, it is what is done. The objective is to get the same reward. It is also comparable because rats imitate because they resonate with the behavior since it comes from another of their species. Humans see their peers on television and want to imitate just as the rats do.
One such example of this is superficial growth. People bought the Kylie Jenner lip kits in record numbers. In fact the brand estimated to be a billion dollar brand at its current sales numbers. There is the opportunity for growth because people want to be to be seen as different and the kit aids in there self confidence. One example of wholesome growth is the show The Biggest Loser. If one was to imitate the goal of weight loss on the show, it can offer health benefits and self esteem benefits.
In the coming of age novel Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, there is a theme of growth. In one specific panel, Satrapi imitates the American punk bands wardrobe wise, while living in rural Iran. It brings her a great deal of happiness. Also in regards brought by Fiddes, there was no one dressing like that and she broke the mold of what average was.
Erich Auerbach, who wrote the book: Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature. In the book, Auerbach critiques European authors and their representation of reality. Auerbach critiques that the Bible seeks solely to ensnare the reader and people submit to not be seen as rebellious. (Auerbach, 1946 p. 2) Although consuming reality television is completely not forced. Except it can be argued that to be seen as on trend that one must consume as well, and when they do that they will not be seen as off trend.
A theorist ,René Girard believed in his mimetic theory that all violence on Earth is the product of religion. In his version of mimesis as well, Girard believed that mimesis was not an object of social change but solely a way to accomplish one’s desires. Girard believed that because people were a lot more selfish it would lead to violence to acquire what people wanted in mimesis. Religion played a part in this because it acted as a way to condemn people for being violent. However at the same time it continued the cycled because the church elevates those who are selfless and caring. People, chasing their intrinsic desires, want to have their status elevated and violence continued (Gallese, 2009).
The purpose of the book, and also the religion is to have the followers repeat what is in the text. While reality television is not made for this purpose, those that watch it have a specific purpose for the shows. Reality television allows for consumers to see the trends that they deserve. Consumers often believe that those in on the television are no different than themselves and so if they themselves have something, why cannot the consumer? Besides material trends,this logic can apply to behaviors as well.
1:33-2:08
In this video the Kardashians describe that how there is nothing compelling about them, and they attract viewers solely due to their likable nature.
References
Auerbach, Erich, 1892-1957. (19571953). Mimesis : the representation of reality in Western literature. Garden City, N.Y. :Doubleday,
Edmunds, J., & Turner, B. S. (2005). Global generations: social change in the twentieth century. The British journal of sociology, 56(4), 559-577. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-4446.2005.00083.x/abstract
Frye, N. (1971). Anatomy of criticism: Four essays. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Heyes, C. (1993). Imitation, culture and cognition. Animal Behaviour,46(5), 999-1010. doi:10.1006/anbe.1993.1281
Gallese, V. (2009). The two sides of mimesis: Girard's mimetic theory, embodied simulation and social identification. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 16(4), 21-44.
Jones, S. (2017, November 27). How Much Kim Kardashian Charges For An Instagram Post. Retrieved from https://blog.hollywoodbranded.com/how-much-kim-kardashian-charges-for-an-instagram-post
Joyner, S. (2010, April 30). Why Networks Love Reality TV. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0410/why-networks-love-reality-tv.aspx
Spellberg, C. (2018, April 25). Here's How Much Money Each Member Of The 'Jersey Shore' Cast Makes. Retrieved from https://www.elitedaily.com/p/how-much-does-the-jersey-shore-cast-get-paid-heres-everything-we-know-8668331
Tiley, C. (2016, February 1). The reality TV habit. Retrieved from http://www.onepoll.com/the-reality-tv-habit/
VanDerWerff, T. (2016, January 07). 750 reality TV shows aired on cable in 2015. Yes, 750. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/2016/1/7/10728206/reality-shows-how-many-peak-tv
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