This year we have seen the end of the infamous Big Brother, which for many was about time, but will all reality TV follow in Big Brothers footsteps and lose its charm?
Almost every day there is some form of a reality show on television. From shows like “Come Dine With Me“, to “X-Factor” and “I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!“. It seems that when the quantity of reality shows increases, the quality decreases.
Big Brother appeared to have overstayed it’s welcome on Channel 4 with 11 series of the show. When it began in 2000, it did fill the gap in the market for reality TV but since then other networks such as ITV have jumped on the band wagon with shows such as X-Factor and I’m a Celebrity. Now everyday television contains some form of reality show whether it’s a DIY show, makeover or talent contests.
Even X-Factor is getting repetitive. It seems that now they always have the token novelty act such as Jedward last year and now Wagner which annoys many as it is primarily a singing contest. What frustrates people is seeing many better acts leave the signing competition when these acts remain. Is it all just getting too much about the fame and not the talent?
Moving on to ITV’s “I’m a Celebrity Get me out of here” we have to doubt what celebrity now means. On this years series we have an former popstars, former comedians, former tv personalities and a former footballers ex wife. When the show claims itself to have “celebrities” in its title, we expect celebrities who have more of a claim to celebrity status than being the ex-wife of an ex-footballer.
We are to blame for the high quantity of reality TV on our screens as we watch them, talk about them and some even call into them. I think this reality show boom needs to come to an end to some extent. I am not denying that all reality television is dying as some shows are quite entertaining but many are becoming very much the same, less and less entertaining and more about profits with each series. Once a new unique reality show comes to the forefront, the reality television market may pick up again and have a second life, but for now it appears to be following the same scripts it has for years. The current reality television needs to make way for newer reality shows in order to keep the reality era fresh and alive.
Shauna Hall's Blog 