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?