The Oxford Dictionary defines reality television as “television programs in which people are continuously filmed, designed to be entertaining rather than informative.” The 1948 television series Candid Camera is often recognized as being the first mind numbing, yet wildly entrancing show of this genre that spurred hundreds of equally absurd series. (Slocum) The shows aim to relate to the viewers interpersonally rather than to provide a narrative distanced from viewers through roles and script. It connects with audiences by exposing the subjects rarely broached in public, allowing viewers to see people in similar situations to their own as well as outliers. Often more memorable than the show themselves, are the scandals that inevitably end them.
Since the start of the reality epidemic, there has been an intrinsic lack of trust between viewers and producers. Rightfully so, there is the underlying question of how much of the show is genuine. However, despite audience’s demand for authenticity, the moment the cast shows their humanity and makes a mistake is the exact moment a show is criticized and doomed. This true for most family reality series; by this I mean those shows that continuously follow the everyday lives of extraordinary families. One company in particular that is fond of these series is The Learning Channel.
Largely considered the first American reality TV family, Jon and Kate Plus 8 aired with much hype on TLC in 2007. The show followed the everyday lives of Jon and Kate, the parents of twin girls and most recently the parents of sextuplets. Audiences nationwide met season after season with great excitement as the children grew and coped with the shared attention of parents. Cameras captured vacations, birthdays, and holidays alike. However, the family often seemed too perfect under the enormous stress of multiple children.
Early in 2009 during the filming of season 4, Jon began and affair with an elementary school teacher. Violating the trust of the viewers, TLC allowed the couple to continue filming well into season 5 while covering the scandal for the family and the networks financial benefit. Despite the premise of reality television being unrestricted, Jon was removed from the cast and the show aired for 2 seasons under the title Kate Plus 8. (Jon and Kate Plus 30 Scandals) It is curious that while the show aimed to relate the struggles and triumphs of the family, the most dramatic incident was hidden presumably to protect marketability.
Similarly, TLC aired the first season 17 Kids and Counting in September of 2008. The in-home cameras followed every move of the strict Christian family from homeschooling, to chores, and even biblical studies. The show raised debates regarding gender equality and audiences questioned the pressure put on older children to help raise their younger siblings. However, these issues did not lead to the show’s downfall. The show progressed to 18 then 19 Kids and Counting.
On May 19, 2015, stories arose that one son, Josh Duggar, admitted to molesting young girls as a teenager. He confessed that his actions were a problem outside of the home as well as within the home and family. News of former charges and father, Jim Bob’s, reluctance to seek professional help for this son leaked to the media. Major companies withdrew ads from the show and TLC announced that they would cease shooting on May 22. It seems they foresaw greater disaster, as the scandal did not end there. Website records surfaced in August 2015, confirming Josh’s use of a website that connects married men and women for affairs. (Bowerman)
While it is understandable for major television stations to protect their monetary assets, it seems as though this process of reality filtering is a direct violation of viewers trust. Under the title of “reality TV,” audiences anticipate drama and unedited realism. The same controversy that is idealized for peak sales, seems to be the unraveling of once popular series.
Bibliography:
Simpson, J. A. The Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd ed. Oxford: Clarendon, 1989. Print.
Slocum, Charles. "The Real History of Reality." The Real History of Reality. Writers Guild of America, West. Web. 25 Sept. 2015.
"Jon & Kate Plus 30 Scandals." Radar Online. Radar Online, 8 Jan. 2014. Web. 25 Sept. 2015.
Bowerman, Mary. "Timeline of Josh Duggar's Sexual Abuse Allegations." USA Today. Gannett, 20 Aug. 2015. Web. 26 Sept. 2015.
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