Group 3 Assignment- Georgina, Tiana, Michael, Colton, Jae

Group Members: Georgina Gonsalves, Tiana Williams, Michael Feinstein, Colton Elzey, Jae Harris Johnson

(Clip: First 10 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjcAcWfcqbw 

 Hay and Oulette argue that TV’s demonstration in group governance “point out TV’s little everyday ways of instructing viewers about the techniques and rules of participation” (215) and while this may be true in terms of the effectiveness of reality television in producing perceptions of democratic political processes, our group discussed the ways in which reality television also masks the way narrative flow, popularity, and drama within the cast collectives are constructed behind the scenes and further influence rules of participation. For instance, in our chosen clip from American Idol’s season one finale, we see the final contestants collectively singing the opening song for the show, and as each contestant takes a step forward to sing their portion, varying audience applauses and shouts ensue (i.e. Kelly Clarkson, who becomes the winner of the season receives more applause than other contestants). These varying responses, unbeknownst to the viewer watching in their living room, are all manufactured however. 

Reality TV is a wondrous miasma of drama, invested audiences, combative contestants, narrative structures, and the illusions of democratic equity. Even the seating assignments of audience members for “live” TV shows, which for American Idol at least, are scripted to a degree. I (Jae) have been in the audience for American Idol, where men, and men of color in particular, are seated along the darker periphery, while women were escorted to the center of the studio to be seated in the light. Yet, American Idol, like many other reality TV ventures sell the illusion of equitable access, where anyone can have their fifteen minutes in the limelight. Nevertheless, this genre of TV shines at it attempts to compel audience and contestant desires of being to speak their truth and brand their name. 

Although there are many behind the scenes constructions that produce what we as viewers are allowed to witness as “reality,” this idea of watching how others handle particular life situations (i.e. the background/storyline that is accompanied with each American Idol contestant within every episode) is particularly appealing to viewers. It provides a sense of access for the distant viewer, allowing us to feel more related to the contestants with the idea that we ourselves could very well be them. Being that we are ourselves are regular non-scripted people handling specific life situations, the dream of being a contestant on Big Brother or American Idol like the participants they showcase every week, appears attainable rather than unreachable.