#Is Reality TV Scripted?

[phuongngabui]

Week 4: Digital Community and Fandom

Is Reality TV Scripted? Examining the Manipulation and Editing Techniques Used

Reality TV, with its dramatic conflicts, emotional outbursts, and seemingly unscripted moments, has captivated audiences for decades. It can be defined as “hypervisibility, coalescing over-the-top emotions with behavioral transgressions that promise the thrill of unpredictability” (Kavka 2019). However, the question of authenticity lingers: is reality TV truly "real," or is it carefully crafted with the help of scripts, editing, and producer manipulation? While the answer isn't always clear-cut, exploring the editing techniques and potential scripting employed in these shows can shed light on the constructed nature of reality TV.

The Power of the Edit

Editing plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative of reality TV (C&I Studios 2023). Editing can turn boring footage into drama-filled episodes. Producers are like master chefs, chopping up hours of filming into bite-sized scenes, then rearranging things and adding dramatic music (South University Blog 2016). It's like they have a remote control for real life, rewinding and fast-forwarding to create fake fights, exaggerate personalities, and cook up storylines that wouldn't be in the real world. Remember that contestant you loved to hate? They might have just been edited to look like a villain, thanks to some clever cutting and pasting.

This editing trickery can have real consequences. People watching might start thinking everyone acts like that, leading to unrealistic expectations and unhealthy comparisons. It's like judging a book by its most dramatic chapter, completely missing the rest of the story. This selective editing can create artificial conflict, exaggerate personalities, and fabricate storylines that don't accurately reflect reality. For instance, Mnet, the Korean TV station known for launching K-pop idols, has become a hot topic for all the wrong reasons (Turner, 2023). Their reality shows meant to turn young hopefuls into stars face accusations of "evil editing." Basically, they're using editing tricks to paint certain contestants in a bad position, creating drama and controversy for viewers.

However, it's not the first time fans have been pointing out questionable editing choices for years; this time, things are blowing up (VCCorp.vn 2019). Contestants get hate online, careers are potentially affected, and viewers question everything they see.

Blurring the Lines: Scripting and Prompts

While completed scripts are rare, reality shows often use "storytelling tools" like producer prompts and leading questions (LinkedIn Film Production n.d.). These interventions can lead participants to specific reactions, guide conversations in a desired direction, and even plant seeds for future storylines. While not outright scripted, these subtle interventions manipulate the flow of events, subtly pushing the participants towards narratives pre-determined by the producers.

Anna Klassen was known for participating in a reality show about makeover transformation. Before her big reveal as a "beautiful and attractive person," producers resorted to some low tactics. They used a cameraman's waxed leg hair (brown hair) to pretend it was her leg hair! When she, understandably confused, pointed out her hair is blonde, not brown, they laughed it off, dismissing it as nothing. The charade exposed the ugly truth for this contestant: “Reality TV is anything but real” (Klassen 2014). It's a carefully crafted narrative where props, manipulation, and forced interactions paint a fictional picture far from the genuine human experience.

However, the ethical implications of these manipulation techniques are complex. While some argue they are necessary to create engaging television, others criticize them for distorting reality and exploiting participants. The line between harmless entertainment and manipulative fabrication can be blurry, raising questions about the producers' responsibility and the participants' informed consent (Mast 2016a).

Conclusion

It's important to acknowledge that not all reality TV is entirely fabricated. Many shows capture genuine moments of human interaction, emotion, and vulnerability. However, the manipulation techniques create a curated version of reality, blurring the lines between genuine behavior and manufactured drama (Mast 2016b). While definitively stating "reality TV is scripted" is an oversimplification, the manipulation of editing, producer interventions, and manufactured drama significantly impact the portrayal of events. Understanding these techniques allows viewers to approach reality TV with a critical eye. So, watch and enjoy, but remember: it's sometimes more accurate than it seems!

References

C&I Studios 2023, ‘The Power of Editing: Shaping the Narrative in Reality TV’, C&I Studios, viewed 3 February 2024, <https://c-istudios.com/the-power-of-editing-shaping-the-narrative-in-reality-tv/#:~:text=Editing%20is%20a%20key%20tool>.

Kavka, M 2019, ‘Reality TV: Its contents and discontents’,Critical Quarterly, vol. 60. no. 4, pp 5-18. 

Klassen, A 2014, ‘I Was on Reality TV: Behind the Scenes Secrets of Faking Real Life’, Bustle, viewed 4 February 2024, <https://www.bustle.com/articles/15280-i-was-on-reality-tv-behind-the-scenes-secrets-of-faking-real-life>.

Linkedin Film Production n.d., ‘What are the best techniques for conducting interviews in reality TV shows?’, www.linkedin.com, viewed 4 February 2024, <https://www.linkedin.com/advice/1/what-best-techniques-conducting-interviews-reality>.

Mast, J 2016a, ‘The Dark Side of “Reality TV”: Professional Ethics and the Treatment of “Reality”-Show Participants’, International Journal of Communication, vol. 10, no. 0, p. 22, viewed 2 February 2024, <https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/2444/1646>.

Mast, J 2016b, Is manipulation within the construct of reality television ethical?, viewed 3 February 2024, <https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=4974&context=theses#:~:text=Program%20participants%20are%20encouraged%20to>.

South University Blog 2016, ‘Reality TV — Low Cost Programming that Produces High Ratings’, www.southuniversity.edu, viewed 3 February 2024, <https://www.southuniversity.edu/news-and-blogs/2016/08/reality-tv-low-cost-programming-that-produces-high-ratings-119585#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20if%20a%20cast>.

Turner, J 2023, ‘Evil Editing? Korean Netizens Expose Mnet Producer For Treating “Boys Planet” Zhang Shuai Bo Unfairly’, Koreaboo, viewed 24 December 2023, <https://www.koreaboo.com/news/boys-planet-zhang-shuai-bo-evil-editing-mnet-expose/>.

VCCorp.vn 2019, ‘Liên tiếp phốt to chồng phốt nhỏ, series “Produce” sẽ kết thúc ở mùa giải thứ 4?’, kenh14.vn, viewed 3 February 2024, <https://kenh14.vn/lien-tiep-phot-to-chong-phot-nho-series-produce-se-ket-thuc-o-mua-giai-thu-4-20190904105325671.chn>.

[crunchyapple33]

brought to you by: jts circus event 🂱

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ— intro to my small town dr ㅤ! ㅤ

   

      SALEM     e.     shepherd     was born in winchester, kentucky in the fall of 1994. although she was raised in a town of a shaky population of 4,000; she felt even more alone as her family were shunned and outcast by the townspeople for an event she wasn't even alive for.

she's growing into her own now, spring of 2009, and decides it's time to take over her destiny. she will find a way to be accepted by her town, no matter what it takes. that's how she finds herself working at a flower shop, and becoming enthralled in the exciting lives of lydia kollins and kori king, two girls who cannot seem to stop occupying her time (and her mind).

   

[yuriko-44]

౨ৎ WHO’S CALLING MY PHONE? (me in my drs)

ft. my main wr, my top three drs

© credits: idea and post layout by @rumitome!! I hope you don't mind the @, I can always delete it if you prefer (her blog is scrumptious btw, go check it out!!)

is it MATSUMOTO HARUTO ? ౨ৎ main waiting room.

human by day, wolf by night. explorer of the multiverse. the moon guides his heart.

౨ৎ currently taking a walk with his friends and trying to find a cozy spot to relax afterwards.

is it SHIGARAKI TOMURA ? ౨ৎ main bnha reality.

contact previously saved as shimura tenko.

hero wannabe forced on the path of villainy. pawn in the demon lord's game. bringer of radical change and peace.

౨ৎ currently training with his big brother second in command, kurogiri.

is it MR. ANT TENNA ? ౨ৎ deltarune reality.

darkner. famous tv host known for his show 'mr. (ant) tenna's tv time!™'. the lord of screens cleaved red by blade.

౨ৎ currently getting ready in his dressing room before it's time to roll the cameras.

is it DICE "KING" CALLOWAY ? ౨ৎ cuphead reality.

the devil's right hand man. manager of the devil's casino. heaven looks down upon him in shame.

౨ৎ currently managing a game of blackjack before his break starts.

[problematicraccoon]

scripting that i was a main character in Desperate Housewives that turns out to be a crazy serial killer who seduces predators just to kill them with the help of my rich husband, the gomez to my morticia, played by Simon Baker <3 think Edie Brit level cunt serving but with more homicidal rage

[girlberrie]

i may have just concocted a dr that is somehow better than my first better dr. simply because i just sit around and play the sims 4 and travel whenever i want and live in the dreamiest apartment in the dream area in istanbul. like my (og) better dr is very good, in a reliving high school with friends and then going onto becoming a fashion writer kind of good. but this dr is just me vibing. i don't even have an s/o. i don't go to school because i already graduated sorbonne with a double major in history and journalism. my job is play-game-on-internet-and-maybe-vlog(?). its my life here but elevated. and yk, free of fascism and capitalism and bigotry and all things shit. i'm literally so excited to be there . ok bye rant over

[bananonbinary]

ive never actually watched anything gordon ramsey (except chef jr) so i thought id check out kitchen nightmares

it is WILD how different the british 2004 version is from the american 2007 version oh my god

and its not because "ooh americans are insane"

the british one (at least the first few episodes ive seen) is a little depressing, because they didnt do a good job framing a narrative arc. a restaurant is suffering believable problems, ramsey comes in, fixes the restaurant...and then theres a check in a month later to reveal that it went back to shit the second he left. it's honest, but not very fun television.

the american one has the opposite problem. i actually couldnt even get through the first episode because it's so over-the-top obviously staged bullshit. like i can practically SEE the director off screen saying "yes! now everyone shout at once!" and theres a cheesy narrator telling me EXACTLY what i'm supposed to feel at all times. i guess its probably entertaining for some people, but my god i can actively feel my brain going numb at how stupid and substanceless it is.

like, i know reality tv is a shithole, but surely there was a middle ground here, where they told mostly real stories, but with a little bit more editing flare to give it a satisfying emotional arc.

[chloesreality]

debating whether I should kiss Damon in my dr (keeping the plot) or script it out because I feel like it’s cheatinggg on my stefussy even though we’d be broken up by that point 😩 should I follow the plot?

no but I kinda hate him omg who gave me the power to shift bfrr

[inawickedlittletown]

I have "I Kissed A Girl" - the lesbian dating reality tv show on in the background. It's literally just a bunch of lesbians and some bi girls being messy and thirsty and I am here for it.

But one of the couples just broke up because as the person doing the breaking up put it, to paraphrase:

you need a golden retriever and a black cat...and we're both golden retrievers...we're two wee puppies and we both need a black cat.

Since I am writing while this is on and all thoughts go back to bucktommy anyway maybe she has a point.

Buck's golden retriever tendencies for sure needs black cat Tommy.

[prythianpages]

idk if anyone here is watching the secret lives of Mormon wives but this show cannot be real…like the drama 😳

[bbyalwayhigh]

Just finished my Bridgerton script and about to go fuck King George

[spurgie-cousin]

I was listening to a podcast with Jill Dillard and something about that situation bugs me. Obviously it was wrong for JB to not pay them for their time on the show, but they always "forget" to mention that Derick had a good paying job that he quit to become a fake missionary. Yes the job he had sucked, but it was a job and it would have paid the bills, especially since they were living in that first house for free. It's an unfortunate fact of life that in the US if you want money you have to work at least a little bit. I wish they would take a little responsibility for their own financial issues that were not a direct result of JB being a stingy bastard.

I kind of get what you're saying, but in the interviews I've heard it's less about their financial situation and more about just the principal of the thing. Maybe the interview you heard was different, but the impression I got was that it was more about exposing Jim Bob's control over the kids and how he used his belief system for his own financial gain.

I mean Jill didn't even know she was supposed to be getting regular compensation for being on an internationally aired tv show for a long time, so it's not like they were just sitting around not making money bc they were waiting on a check. They had income, but they were also cutting into their earning potential by filming for hours a day for free, something that was insisted upon by JB and that Jill was afraid to question bc of her upbringing. Jim Bob was also falsifying his tax documents and lying about paying them too, so.....

Also I don't think Derick's choice to be a missionary has much to do with anything really. It's a really, really respected position in that corner of evangelicism that he would've seen as an investment in his and his family's future. and it's not like he wasn't getting paid for it, he would've gone into it expecting to be supported financially by a church or missionary organization, as would Jill when she eventually traveled with him.

Also just to reiterate, JB wasn't just being stingy, he was stealing money from his kids because he was greedy and literally lying to the US government about it. They weren't not getting paid for their thousands of hours of work because he wanted to save money or something, he was making them sign contracts he didn't give them time to read because he knew under the belief system he raised them in they wouldn't question him. And he did this with the express purpose of hoarding the money that was meant to be paid to his adult children for his own financial gain, and I don't think Jill and Derick are wrong for exposing that behavior from a guy that acts morally superior to everyone. Even if it was just to get a paycheck, because they were owed it anyway (to my knowledge they haven't gotten even like 1/4 of what they're owed though, and it sounds like they expected that to happen).

[maybeevilsdays]

My Projects (Screenplays Ver.)

A love so fragile: a movie about two teens who fall in love with each other. The catch? One of them is about to die. (Aired 14 February 2019)

She is called Mythology: a tv show where Deities and their stories are part of the modern world (season1 aired 21 March 2020-still running)

Killer nights: a thriller movie where playing Kluedo isn’t as funny as someone might think.(Aired 3rd January 2022) based on “Jumanji”

The two Ravens: a movie about two witches trying to not get killed by the Spanish Inquisition (scheduled to be aired on March 2024)

Up to the north: an historical tv show about a viking young woman finding herself and struggling throughout everyday moments (not aired yet)

More to be added

[filthyjanuary]

found out one of erik menendez's fav shows is cw supernatural and i'm trying to mentally square that and im gonna be honest it's a struggle to process

[jaggedwolf]

okay so I've been binging CSI: Vegas, because I used to watch a ton of CSI as a kid, and it's alright background television but I keep thinking of it as worse NCIS: Hawai'i. I swear I'm not just saying this because NCIS has Lucy/Whistler. Like,

both shows are 2021 spinoffs of long-running CBS procedurals

whose original shows had lily-white main casts but are now clearly trying to be more diverse

boss lady is a woman of color everyone respects and thinks is a badass, she's divorced with at least one kid

there's an asian woman who is the friendly, spunky one, relatively newer while still being on the A-team

more senior white dude agent who is tight with boss lady

unfortunately, csi is a sequel, and is weighed down by its legacy characters (who I mostly like! Grissom was a childhood fave, and I like listening to Sara's accent), and has 10-12 episode seasons which is a hard spot for a procedural. insufficient to care about the newbie's personal drama while dealing with OGs' as well.

....also no Kai with good shirts and T-shirts. No one on NCIS: Vegas has good fashion. No one.

[lvsifer]

god i started watching vanderpump rules bc i love having reality tv play while sketching or eating and it’s honestly so shocking to see how insane these people are, how incredibly sexist and homophobic (honestly the women even more than the guys in the way they talk abt each other and the guys), and how one of the cast members admits to domestic abuse and bc she’s a woman the guy is just like “yeah I deserved it” re: she literally “busting his nose” and nobody thinks is an issue, also the constant slut shaming from women @ other women, the insanely toxic female “friendships”, the absolut dumbest men, all of these guys cheating etc… honestly thank god i was never hanging out in such het friend groups jfc. almost all of these ppl need therapy STAT. like i have grown to really like some of them but by god others need to get a reality check so badly

[chloesreality]

Can you tell us more about you in your bridgerton dr?

so funny thing, I’m actually boring and haven’t created a script for it yet but I’ve thought about it quite a bit.

• So I wanna be Queen Charlotte’s and King George’s youngest daughter, so that would make me Princess Chloe.

my birthday: October 25 1792 (21yrs)

• the season after Daphnes, I will be diamond of the season (obviously because I’m the queens daughter)

• Daphne and I are best friends and I’m close with the Bridgertons because of this.

My s/o: Stefan Bridgerton (2nd eldest Bridgerton son)

birthday: November 1st 1789 (24 yrs)

• Stefan will look like he does in the vampire diaries in 1864. So like this:

(He’s not a vampire in my Bridgerton Dr)

• In my dr I wanna wear the poofy dresses AND the regency era dresses:

poofy regency era

• so I’m gonna say that Charlotte wanted me, (because I’m the only one of her children who hasn’t moved out yet) to wear more poofy dresses to remind King George who we are (and to show people I’m the queens daughter obvi)

That’s really all I’ve thought about so if you have any ideas or suggestions for my dr then please do share them with me!