Reality TV has received a bashing in recent years, with tabloids pontificating over the exploitation of participants and viewers moaning over the way in which the cheap format has been clogging up the schedules – but the term Reality TV is much more than just singing competitions and strangers locked in camera filled houses, and the format keeps millions glues to their sets each and every day.
So why do we love reality TV? What are the shows that really capture our imagination and why are they so compelling? Here we look at five top Reality TV shows and analyse their appeal.
The X-Factor
This modern take on the televised talent show has viewers across the UK hooked every weekend. From audition phases, to the boot camp cuts to judge’s houses and finally the live shows we just can’t get enough. We love it when they can’t sing, we adore it when they can sing, we empathise with their carefully crafted backstories and invest in their journey with our weekly votes. The show offers a range of different acts of all ages, meaning there is someone for everyone to identify with and, having just broken America, it is likely the format is here to stay.
One Born Every Minute
This reality documentary series is one that captured the hearts of the nation as it followed pregnant women and their families in the final moments before their babies arrived. Women across the country found it compelling viewing – we laughed at the husbands as they attempted to be involved and shed tears with the couples as their bundles of joy made an appearance.
Big Brother
Depending on your stance, Big Brother is either the pinnacle or the nadir of reality programming – but whichever camp you are in you will find it hard to deny that the format makes for compelling viewing. With a random selection of strangers locked into a camera filled house and pitted against each other for a big cash prize, Big Brother brings out the best and worst in contestants. The show ran for ten years in the UK on Channel Four an those who were not converts breathed a sigh of relief when it was announced that the 10th series would be the last. But it seems BB is too powerful and the show has made a Phoenix-like comeback on Channel Five and looks set to continue at least for the foreseeable.
Extreme Makeover
Another controversial choice is the Extreme Makeover format where participants with poor body image are whisked away, remodelled and rebuilt through a range of surgeries and procedures, to emerge swanlike at the end with a whole new face and physique. While some find the premise a little questionable, the format has successfully showcased the potential of plastic surgery with a number of viewers heading straight for sites like the Hospital Group to plan their own metamorphosis.
Highland Rescue
Following the work of the rescue teams of the Coastguard, Navy and RAF in the North of England, Highland Rescue is an adrenaline pumping insight into the action and adventure that is involved in saving lives in this inhospitable environment and makes great viewing for all the family.
To mark the tragic death of one of the UK’s brightest music stars, the Bio tv channel will be showing an updated biography on Amy Winehouse on Saturday at 8pm (Sky Channel 156 and Virgin 242).
A brand new online page on the Bio website is dedicated to the “Rehab” singer with a new photo gallery, video and an updated biography at www.biography.co.uk.
Amy Jade Winehouse first burst onto the music scene with her smash hit “Rehab,” but her incredible singing voice and bubbly charisma was tarnished by tabloid coverage of her drink and drug addictions as well as her wild child lifestyle.
Amy Winehouse
Hits such as “Valerie” and “Back to Black” helped the young star from Camden Town to an illustrious career winning 23 major awards and bringing jazz to a younger audience.
With all the negative press coverage and criticisms that followed the 27 year old throughout her life it is her music that she will be remembered by.
Amy Winehouse Special is on Saturday 30th July at 8pm on the Bio Channel
(Sky Channel 156 and Virgin 242).
Set in ‘Valco’, a fictional budget supermarket on the outskirts of Manchester, Trollied takes a comic look at a setting we’ve all spent too much of our lives in. Whether buying pasta, arguing with our loved ones or just trying to explain why we don’t want yet another loyalty card, everyone is familiar with the setting.
Produced by Ash Atalla, (The Office and The IT Crowd) Trollied is a slice of life populated by the characters we all see every time we go shopping – the bored kids on the checkouts, the ineffectual managers and the irate and often bizarre customers.
The show boasts a stellar cast list including Bafta and Golden Globe® nominee Jane Horrocks along with Mark Addy and Rita May.
The first series of Trollied starts on Thursday 4th August on Sky1 & Sky1 HD.
RJ Berger is back as MTV’s coming of age comedy The Hard Times of RJ Berger returns for a second season Thursday 21st July at 10PM on MTV with a special guest appearance by Jersey Shore’s Vinny Guadagnino.
Season Two also guest stars Paris Hilton and Weezer.
Last season, fans watched as RJ (Paul Iacono) left the girl of his dreams, Jenny Swanson (Amber Lancaster) at the winter formal, to lose his virginity to his stalker-ish friend Lily Miran (Kara Taitz), as she lay in her hospital bed moments before flat lining. Will Lily live or die–and if Lily lives, will RJ choose her or Jenny? With a possible new love triangle, fresh faces and guest appearances by Paris Hilton, popular rock band Weezer and Jersey Shore’s Vinny Guadagnino, season two is sure to bring more outrageous moments and antics from RJ and his peers at Pinkerton High.
The Hard Times of RJ Berger orbits the hilariously-hellish lives of a deeply unpopular 15 year-old (Paul Iacono) and his scheming, sex-obsessed best friend, Miles Jenner (Jareb Dauplaise). Other than pining after the girl of his dreams, Jenny Swanson (Amber Lancaster), receiving daily beatings from the meanest jock in school, Max Owens (Jayson Blair), and evading the stalker-ish advances of Lily Miran (Kara Taitz), there really isn’t much excitement in RJ’s life. That is, until his anatomical gift is accidentally exposed to the entire school.
In a single moment, RJ goes from anonymous to infamous, and for the first time in his life, he feels a tiny sliver of confidence. Swept up in this man-sized wave of recognition, The Hard Times of RJ Berger returns for season two with another full-frontal assault on Pinkerton High. In the wake of Lily’s accident, we’ll follow RJ and Miles as they navigate the treacherous waters of sophomore year. Whether GTL-ing with Cousin Vinny (Jersey Shore’s Vinny Guadagnino), jamming with Weezer, lusting after Jenny Swanson, or simply coping with his parents’ divorce, one thing’s certain: for RJ Berger, this semester just got bigger… and a lot harder.
There is a new nine part crime drama series starting on UKTV’s Alibi (Sky 132, Virgin Media 130) on Tuesday 19th July at 9pm.
The hit US crime dramaBody of Proof stars Dana Delany (Desperate Housewives) as Dr Megan Hunt and Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Voyager) as Dr Hunt’s sidekick, Kate Murphey.
UKTV have already begun promoting the show via Facebook and YouTube.
