Analysis 4 (Formulas)

Reality television shows, when first released, were different in many ways. There were different types of casts, different outcomes, and a variety of people.  These shows did not seem so “set up”.  Now, most reality shows are the same.  There is always a typical line of people in the cast.  The dramatic one, the crier, the fan favorite, then crazy one, and the fans’ least favorite.  It seems that most reality shows now contain all of these types of characters. 

The story lines are continually the same in most Reality Television shows.  I have heard the saying many times from the older generation, “If you’ve seen one of those reality shows, you’ve seen ‘um all!”  In all honesty, this is probably the case most times.  Formulas in popular culture refer to having the same storyline, genre, and just many similarities overall.  And sadly, this is the case with these shows.  They are still very popular, but most of the “hardcore” Reality Television viewers watch the shows that were created when Reality Television started out. 

Now, a majority of these shows seem to be “set up”.  And in the earlier versions of these shows, they seemed to be legitimately “Real T.V”.  It is all about what you prefer when watching reality television.  If your preference is for fake, over exaggerated television than some of the more recent shows are probably more for you!