Critical Investigation essay plan

How does the Reality TV genre construct "Reality" and why is it so popular?

Intro

The history of reality TV- where did it come from and why does it exist (http://http//biancamest4.blogspot.com/2010/10/reality-tv-big-brother-phenomenon.html, http://http//biancamest4.blogspot.com/2010/11/reality-tv-interview-with-annette-hill.html)
Cheap production, new fresh idea, wide audience appeal (http://http//biancamest4.blogspot.com/2010/11/what-can-philosophy-teach-us-about.html)
Reality TV- (Wife Swap and Supernanny: documentary style- more believed) (http://http//biancamest4.blogspot.com/2010/11/reality-tv-interview-with-annette-hill.html)
Point one

Mediation-how do the texts create meaning through selecting and editing (character roles and representations) - http://http//biancamest4.blogspot.com/2010/11/constructed-world-of-wife-swap.html
Selecting process- target the fame hungry and desperate- provies more entertainment (http://http//biancamest4.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-do-reality-shows-select-contestants.html
Hegemony (http://http//biancamest4.blogspot.com/2010/11/what-can-philosophy-teach-us-about.html)
Textual analysis of the two texts and how the mediation effects the audience

Point two

Why is it constructed this way?- The institutions values and how they are conveyed
Channel 4- commercial institution (famous for broadcasting reality TV e.g. big brother)can afford to produce "risky shows"
Present their own ideogies- take sides etc. (http://http//biancamest4.blogspot.com/2010/11/constructed-world-of-wife-swap.html)

Point three

Why is it so popular? (http://http//biancamest4.blogspot.com/2010/11/reality-tv-interview-with-annette-hill.html) Voyeristic element
Uses and gratifications theory- identification, escapism, discussion and information (Wife Swap and Supernanny-moral panics and media effects)- http://http//biancamest4.blogspot.com/2010/11/reality-tv-whats-happening.html
Postmoderinsm- bluring of reality and entertainment
Wide range of reality genres- accessible to a wide audience

Point four

Is it decreasing popularity (Death of Big brother)
Reality TV as junk food
Effects on society (Media Effects)