Setting the Stage for Reality Television

            American television viewers have grown to take all “reality TV” series with a grain of salt. However, the public still expects some level of integrity to be upheld. It is no secret that the primary concerns of networks are profit and ratings. Thus it would be expected that producers should set the stage for the most interesting performance; once the cast is chosen and the major themes laid out, production should take a step back and allow reality to set in. This is not always the case. Specifically, HGTV's "House Hunters Renovations" forfeits the all expected authenticity of reality television by manipulating interviews, scripting participants, and exploiting camera effects for the entirety of the show in order to market a desirable family. I know this to be true because producers were able to take this poor fellah:

…And portray him as this exemplary citizen, hero, and family man seen in season 5 episode 10.

            It was a picturesque story to showcase: a Somerville firefighter and father of two sons (one autistic) renovates a house just minutes from his childhood home with the help of his fellow firefighters. This is how my brother and his family were chosen to participate in the show; his story was a cheesy one that was would draw empathy from viewers. The exploitation of marketable attributes was clear from day one. The episode was titled “Five Alarm Renovation: A fireman and his family rescue a home in need of big renovations.”

            When filming began, it became clear that producers wanted tamed showmanship rather than raw personality. Often times, participants were given lines and asked to say them multiple times with different emphasis. However, my personal favorite scripting was throughout demolition and construction when we were asked to “bang on that wall with the hammer” despite the fact that it was already secured into place or “put our hands in for a cheer” as though it were natural for grown adults to cheer before tearing up floors.

            When the show aired, my family and I had a long laugh at the uncharacteristic one-liners my brother was so commonly asked to say on camera. The airing also confirmed the worst; segments of interviews were taken out of context and used to the producers liking. Still, in all of their careful filming and editing, the producers forgot to include the slant in the kitchen table, the loose floorboards, and the leaky refrigerator. By exploiting camera angles and choosing shots cautiously, the show was able to portray the perfect kitchen for the perfect family. From firsthand experience beginning to end, House Hunters Renovations exceeded my expectation for unauthentic “reality television.”