Jamee Rice

Murray Knows “the Real World”

It seems as if the producers of the reality shows that have become so popular have all read Janet Murray’s Hamlet on the Holodeck. Although much of this book focuses on digital environments and computer games, many of the concepts can be applied to reality TV. Of her theories, I feel that “immersion” and “agency” are the two that most apply to the reality shows that have recently intrigued millions of Americans. As an addict of reality TV, I will admit that I become completely immersed in The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Survivor, and American Idol, to name a few. I will rearrange my schedule, tape episodes that I cannot see due to my night classes, and engross myself in the articles about reality shows featured in magazines such as US Weekly and In Touch. I have even been known to cry during the last episode of The Bachelorette or become angry if the “star” of the show picks the wrong guy!

In addition to the immersion that is caused by reality TV, there is also a sense of agency given to the viewers of certain reality shows. For example, although most of the power rests in the hands of the producers and Randi, Paula, and Simon, the viewers of American Idol are ultimately given all of the power over who wins the competition. In the same way, the Last Comic Standing also gave audience members a sense of agency by giving them the power to vote on the best comedian. During the last episode, Americans were then allowed to vote either on-line or by phone. Although viewers of shows such as The Bachelor and Survivor do not feel a sense of agency, the characters or people on the show do. It is the choice of bachelor to eliminate whom he wants and the choice of the members of the tribe to eliminate whom they want.

In addition to these theories, Murray also makes mention of the plots of literature. According to Ronald B. Tobias, an author of guidebooks for writers, there are only twenty “master plots” in literature. Well, what a coincidence! Reality shows also coincide with these literature plots:

Quest Amazing Race

Pursuit – Amazing Race
Adventure - Survivor Amazing Race Road Rules (there's even a blog for this one)
Escape – Paradise Hotel
Revenge – Just about any talk show
The Riddle – The Mole
Rivalry – Real World/Road Rules Challenge
Underdog – Average Joe
The Littlest Groom
Temptation – Temptation Island
Transformation – Extreme Makeover MTV’s Made
Maturation – MTV’s MADE
Love – The Bachelor
The Bachelorette
Who Wants to Marry My Dad?
Wretched Excess – Fear Factor
Ascension – The Apprentice
Descension The Simple Life

Ok, I admit, I could not think of a reality show that fits into the all of the 20 master plots. However, if you are planning on producing a new Reality show, I would suggest coming up with a show that would fit into a plot that has not already been taken: Rescue, Forbidden Love, Sacrifice, or Discovery.

In addition to the “master plot” coincidence, I also found several statements in Murray’s book that coincidentally fit into the Reality TV category. For instance, in her chapter entitled “The Cyberbard and the Multiform Plot,” Murray suggests that “very few efforts have yet been made to create a system that accommodates both interactivity and directed plot.” It sounds to me that this sentence could have inspired the idea for shows such as American Idol or Star Search. In the following sentence, “digital narrative” could easily be substituted with “Reality TV,” “One of the clearest trends determining the immediate future of the digital narrative is the marriage between the television set and the computer.” This is already going on due to the elimination polls and message boards on most reality show websites.

In addition, there is a pretty lengthy paragraph that, in my opinion, sums up Reality TV:
“The author must be able to specify all the elements of the abstract structure: the primitives of participation (how an interactor moves, acts, converses);” On a reality show, the “author” would be the producer who definitely has a say in how the characters act on the reality shows. “the segmentation of the story into themes or morphemes (the kinds of encounters, challenges, etc., that make up the building blocks of the story); and the rules for assembling the plot (when events happen and to whom)” Again, the producer on reality shows plans the dates, schedules, elimination periods, challenges, rewards, and twists of the show.

In conclusion, reality TV took the intrigue of games shows and mixed it with a sitcom so that the viewers can predict that certain things will happen (to a degree). Although what does happen is controlled (to a degree), it is not a pre-written script. A lot of people think that reality shows are completely fake and scripted. However, I just happen to know the family who starred in Who Wants to Marry my Dad? In an interview with Karla, the oldest daughter on the show, she told me to what extent it was a reality, “How we acted and the emotions we felt were real. The things we said were not scripted. They had us on a schedule, from what time to be up and eat and when to be ready for camera...it was like work. We had microphones on us 98% of the time...they were only turned only off when we slept and went to the bathroom.” Also, just like real life, some relationships work and some do not. When I asked if Don and Christena were still together, Karla told me that “they really didn’t date after the show...they acted like they dated some but REALLY they didn’t date…they did go on a paid trip, and we met her family and saw them at different show functions...but no serious relationship was started, just friendship.” However, for those Bachelorette fans out there, we all know that Trista and Ryan are now married. So, perhaps, for those of you who are seeking adventure, the fulfillment of dreams, or the love of your life, perhaps an application to a reality show is the answer.

Posted by JameeRice at March 21, 2004 09:35 PM