Zawaya

TV reality shows: Selling dreams, not talent

By: Saloua Charfi

Is it possible for a show that relies on fiction despite claiming being based on reality, and which seeks quick gains through excitement, to produce creativity?

To answer this question, we should look at the industry of reality TV shows, and at the cultural and economic background of the production of these programs, in order to determine the extent to which the conditions of creativity are satisfied.

Firstly, these programs rely on non-specialists to judge competence and talent in a field that needs specific knowledge in terms of voice, music and performance. The most serious aspect of those programs is the contained values more than the spoken ones.

Reality TV shows are based on three false ideas stipulating that a) anyone can become a star in a short period of time and over a course that is different than the course of a traditional artist, b) the viewer is the main and free judge, and finally c) what the program shows is reality itself.

In reality, voting is based on the fanaticism of the young people of each country for their compatriot participating in the program, and on what the program allowed them to watch through the cameras that focus for hours on the details of the daily life of a group of people.

Where is creativity in stalking people all day long? Is that considered a criterion for a fair judgment of artistic talents that are disrupted by pale details?

The program attracts people by deluding them that what it broadcasts is reality, while the scenarios of reality TV shows are defined before shooting, and even during the selection of candidates that will participate in the competition, especially girls; ordinary people have no chance in them. After all, this program is merely like other fictional drama programs; it’s just a show in the “show community”, as the participants look like puppets with controlled movements that do not reflect any personality. The clothes and hair styles of the participants may impress more than their artistic performance.

The French writer Philippe Moret says: “Television creates reality now, its own reality, not the real reality. People have become similar to what they see on their monitors, they are no longer real people”.

In search for an explanation for the race to "reality TV " shows, we face the reality of their feverish seeking of quick profit through selling dreams and excitement, and not their concern to discover artistic talents. These programs are one of the biggest attractions for spectators, as well as advertisers, since these shows depend on the funding of some sponsors in exchange for displaying ads and having the participants promote their products, such as clothing, perfumes or cosmetics. In addition to that, phone calls have become a gold mine for telecom operators and television, besides the income of sub-products such as tapes and films.

This explains why the TV channels which broadcast this kind of programs are private investments, and not governmental channels.
Therefore, these programs are interested in quick profits through excitement, more than being interested in talent.