Po mo lesson 13 reality tv and foucault
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Transcript of Po mo lesson 13 reality tv and foucault
Po Mo Lesson13
Reality TV and Foucault
Television
NB Simulacra/hyperreality – not living real life but a simulation of life as portrayed by
the media.Postmodernism and ‘Controversy
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• Reality TV is littered with celebrities that are famous just for being famous – no talent – unlike the past.
• Who can we think of?
• Katie Price? Kerry Katona?
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• Are they victims?
• Danger for individuals concerned – Jade Goody, Kerry Katona, Mark Wright etc – ultimately destroyed by their fame?
• Ultimately the celebrity defines him/herself in terms of the media image (Jordan, Peter A etc).
• They become trapped by their need for celebrity – but of course have no real talent.
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• Their celebrity is dependent upon the audience being complicit and choosing to bestow celebrity on them.
• Does this mean the ‘celebrity’ is the victim and ‘power’ lies with the viewer?
• At its most obvious the viewer has power to evict from the jungle / X factor etc.
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• Michel Foucault (1926-1984)
• Foucault's ideas centred on how we know about the world around us and each other.
• His main ideas were on:
• Panopitcalisation
• Knowledge and Power
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• Panopitcalisation
• The Panopiticon was an innovative prison design by English philosopher Jeremy Bentham in 1785.
• In it he designed a prison in which all inmates could be constantly watched or be under the threat of being watched.
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• Foucault's ideas explain why we are so obsessed with Voyeurism in Postmodernity.
• Foucault suggested that the act of watching (voyeurism) was an act of power and control on part of the viewer.
• Because of this people act differently and the act of watching becomes an act of control.
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• Recently Foucault's ideas have been used by postmodern theorists to understand Reality TV and the Media.
• Foucault says:
1. Reality TV is not ‘real’ if people act differently when being watched (simulacra).
2. People like watching reality TV because it gives a sense of being in control.
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• “TOWIE”
• Since the late 90's, reality TV has grown in popularity as it turns the camera on the audience
• Some argue this is lazy/cheap TV programming
• Others that it reflects Foucualt's theory of Panopitcalisation
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• “Big Brother”
• To what extent is “TOWIE” a Panopticon?
• How does watching Big Brother feel?
• To what extent does the voting system put you in control?
• How real or Hyperreal are the contestants?
• Why was it cancelled by Channel 4?
• Are we really in control when we watch reality TV like:
• TOWIE
• The X-Factor
• I’m a Celebrity
• Do we really control the situation with our voyeurism as Foucault suggests, or does someone else hold the “power”? Charlie Brooker - Reality TV Editing- clip
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• A Postmodernist might suggest “Reality TV” is about nothing. Viewers are watching a simulacra – not a reality that actually exists.
• Focault says, the act of being watched changes a persons behaviour and so they stop being “real”.
• Hence, when watching “reality” TV like “TOWIE” is really watching a simulacra of reality.
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• Look at the finale to “The Hills”.
• Many viewers thought this was real life.
• Why is the last twenty seconds ‘postmodern’?
• The Hills - Final Scene
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• The new ‘reality TV shows’ scripted but pretending to be ‘real life’.
• How real are;
• “Jersey Shore”
• “Only way is Essex”
• “Teen Mum”
• Are they reality or a simulacra?
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• “Jamie’s Dream School” – how far was this a reality?
• Not a real school – constructed as a redemption story.
• Headteacher seen breaking down mid series and then was barely seen in the programme.
• Did he not fit the “narrative” – the story the producers wanted to tell?
• An artificial happy ending?
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• Is any reality television really reality - or is it all a “simulacra” of reality?
• Think about the narrative structure of the following programmes
• “Ramsay’s kitchen nightmare”
• “Super Nanny”
• “Wife Swap”
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• The sheer volume of simulated reality on television is hugely controversial.
• Today’s youth are bombarded with images of a “reality” that simply does not exist.
• We learn a lot about life through a television sets – what if not of it is true?
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• Most serious case of “reality television” not really being a reality is the news coverage that most of us take for granted as being “real”.
• Link these ideas about reality television to:
• John Pilger “The war you do not see”
• Baudrillard -“The Gulf War did not happen”
• Media coverage prevents independent thought.
Postmodernism and ‘Controversy’
• Interesting point.
• Are programmes like “Only Way is Essex” “The Hills” etc more honest with the viewer than “Big Brother” or “Jungle”?
• Is the voting viewer really in charge?