03-03-2004, 09:16 PM
It seems the term "reality TV" (not just for WL, but in general use) means anything that stars people who are not actors, yet if the show is older than the trend ("Late Night", "Jeopardy", Soul Train", "CBS Nightly News", "NFL Monday Night Football") it apparently doesn't qualify. I wouldn't consider "Millionaire" reality TV, nor "American Idol" (which is a variation on "Star Search"), and I haven't seen the other show mentioned.
I would consider a more strict definition of 'reality TV' to be shows where the main emphasis is on people actually living together, with the cameras following them at all hours, and the relationships between those non-actors being the main reason people watch. In other words, a living soap opera. The prototype for this genre was MTV's "The Real World" (if you have never seen it, consider yourself lucky), which was followed by MTV's "Road Rules" which also incorporated a gameshow element like the later "Survivor". I would not consider "Dog Eat Dog" or "Fear Factor" reality TV, to me they are just game shows (although they were designed to mimic the success of "Survivor"). WB has gotten closer to the original MTV idea with their show "The Surreal Life" which features a handful of washed up celebrities who agreed to live together and let the TV producers decide their daily agenda.
Most of the titles I've thrown out here aren't worth watching. "American Idol" is an exception, if you can find enjoyment in pop music. It is really a throwback to the days of talent shows and variety shows, a talent contest for college-aged pop singers, and a bit of a tribute to pop music from the last several decades.
I would consider a more strict definition of 'reality TV' to be shows where the main emphasis is on people actually living together, with the cameras following them at all hours, and the relationships between those non-actors being the main reason people watch. In other words, a living soap opera. The prototype for this genre was MTV's "The Real World" (if you have never seen it, consider yourself lucky), which was followed by MTV's "Road Rules" which also incorporated a gameshow element like the later "Survivor". I would not consider "Dog Eat Dog" or "Fear Factor" reality TV, to me they are just game shows (although they were designed to mimic the success of "Survivor"). WB has gotten closer to the original MTV idea with their show "The Surreal Life" which features a handful of washed up celebrities who agreed to live together and let the TV producers decide their daily agenda.
Most of the titles I've thrown out here aren't worth watching. "American Idol" is an exception, if you can find enjoyment in pop music. It is really a throwback to the days of talent shows and variety shows, a talent contest for college-aged pop singers, and a bit of a tribute to pop music from the last several decades.