Recently, a new reality tv show “Divas of Jozi” launched on SABC 3. I will refrain from sharing feedback on it purely because I have not seen it. I have however, seen a lot of talk about it on the social media streets; not the most positive ever. Comments ranged from “It looks like it was shot using a Blackberry Curve” to “What a waste of our time”. Harsh! On the other hand, we had people who were friends with the cast members, cheering their buddies on. I guess you can never truly please everyone.
My only question was whether or not this was SA just going the copycat route with content format and if this sort of reality TV works for our people?!
Even though I did not watch the few episodes that have aired, Divas of Jozi along with shows such as Real Housewives of Atlanta and Diski Divas, have made the topic of reality television one I thought would be interesting to look into. I have never been shy about my love for reality television. The drama, drink spilling, cat fighting and cussing scenes have all made for exciting television for me. All the sads!
Truth is, the need to sometimes shy away from the realities of your own life into someone else’s helps you relax from a tiring long day of adulting. Why are we so addicted to the thrill of someone else’s drama and sometimes heartache? Is it because we relate?
Do reality TV shows depict women in a certain way? If anything, the one thing I have picked up from reality television is that women are backstabbing, spiteful, mean bitches, who are desperate for romantic relationships and fake friendships.
I don’t remember seeing a reality television show that has depicted women positively; this is worrying to say the least.
The concept of reality television
I can’t say I remember my first encounter with dramatic reality TV but I do remember watching episodes of game shows such as Jam Alley. Maybe we need clarity on what reality TV is.
Reality TV is the genre of programming in which the everyday routines of “real life” people (as opposed to fictional characters played by actors) are followed closely by the cameras.
The categories of reality television have changed immensely over the years. Previously, only 3 categories existed: game shows, dating shows, and talent shows. Now we even get to watch people live in a house for 3 months, sometimes doing nothing.
Is reality TV real?
Upon watching all these reality shows we currently have on television, I couldn’t help but question how there was constantly a solid storyline with every single episode, a theme. This obviously raised a sense of curiosity. I did a bit of reading and learnt that indeed, reality TV Is not all real. The people are real, their stories sometimes real but most (if not all) scenarios have somehow been set up to happen.
According to “How stuff works”, in 2001, first-season "Survivor" contestant Stacey Stillman filed a lawsuit against producer Mark Burnett and CBS, claiming that Burnett rigged the show by talking to two other contestants into voting her off the island. Stillman said that Burnett wanted to keep 72-year-old contestant Rudy Boesch on the island to maintain an older viewing demographic.
The plot thickens…literally!
If such incidences take place, then what guarantee do we have that the media is not playing women against one another for the sake of ratings?
By Keagi