The Explosion of Reality

Television…

… and how Truman Burbank, ‘star’ of

The Truman Show, fits in.
 Critical Question:

• When do we see ‘reality’ on television?

 Big Brother
• First came onto Australian screens on April 23,
2001.
• Was intended to present ‘unscripted reality’ of 12
housemates (and, eventually 2 intruders) living in
isolation, with cameras watching them 24/7.
• ‘This season presented a rather basic set-up which
stuck closely to the traditional Big Brother
concept. The main twist to the show was about
half-way through the series with the entrance of
two Intruders.’http://www.ausbbfans.com/series1.htm
Big Brother
 Problems with the ‘reality’ of Big
Brother
• The unnatural circumstances of the house. Is it
really reality when you cannot avoid
confrontation?
• The rules and the potential winner. Is it natural
for us to be ‘competing’ with those we live with?
• Editing. How were responders shaped to like or
dislike housemates? Once something is edited,
how is its portrayal of ‘reality’ affected?
• Presence of cameras. Do people ever behave
naturally when they know they’re in front of a
camera?
 Why did the tension in Big Brother
work?

• “There has to be conflict in reality TV,

otherwise no one is going to watch. What's
the point in watching something where
everyone sits around watching the grass
grow? Really, you need to have some fighting,
you need to have some drama,”
Jonathon Moran, Entertainment Writer, Sunday Telegraph – 2nd February, 2012.
 Why were we obsessed?
• We, as human beings, enjoy watching other
human beings in what we deem to be ‘real’
circumstances. However, as the critical viewer
knows, the fabricated environments and
editing of these shows means we cannot
possibly be viewing reality.
Big Brother led to the ‘reality’
phenomenon…
 What about The Truman Show?
• Truman Burbank lives in a small town called
Seahaven where everything revolves around
him.
• Cameras, microphones, and actors have been
designated to follow Burbank's every move.
• It is not until Burbank is in his 30's that he
realizes something is suspicious and decides
to find out what is wrong with his life.
 Problems with the ‘reality’:
• Whilst Truman initially doesn’t know he is being
followed by the camera, Christof – the show’s
creator – contrives false scenarios to get Truman
to behave in certain ways.
• Truman may provide a ‘real’ portrayal of a
‘normal person’; however, his relationships are
fabricated.
• Whilst the audience genuinely ‘care’ about
Truman, they still enjoy watching some of the
heart wrenching scenes in the show.
 Why is The Truman Show so clever?
• It critiques the very notions of reality TV.
• It demonstrates the way ‘reality TV’ purports to
show real versions of humanity, but uses editing
and manipulation to create conflict and drama.
• It highlights the way reality TV works for ratings,
which are sometimes at the expense of the
“protagonist’s” or “contestant’s” happiness and
wellbeing. What constitutes ‘good viewing’ is not
necessarily healthy for the subjects on screen.
Think Truman is irrelevant?