THE VN/VO | The Paradox of Reality Television Fame | The debate on the meaning of reality television seems to be stuck on the “individual,” often heralded (or chastised) for bringing “fame” to the less idealized persona. However, the critics have got the actual revolution wrong. What it has really done is made famous, and bastardized somewhat, the “situation.” This is a dramatic difference from nearly every other pop culture phenomenon, where the “individual” is the center of what we consider fame.
THE PARADOX OF REALITY TELEVISION FAME
May 25, 2005 | Christopher J. Falvey
“After the break, how to get on a reality television show! Learn the ins and outs of…”
I turned off the news program right there. I understand why this would interest a subset of people- they want to be famous. Reality television, supposedly, holds that golden promise that our culture has yearned for eternally: a system where any common person can become famous for doing nothing extraordinary. (Previously the only way to achieve this brand of fame was to jump wildly behind a television reporter as he or she was reporting from the street.)
The promise, however, is flawed.
