Reality TV: The Work of Being Watched (Critical Media Studies: Institutions, Politics, and Culture)

Drawing on cultural theory and interviews with fans, cast members and producers, this book places the reality TV trend within a broader social context, tracing its relationship to the development of a digitally enhanced, surveillance-based interactive economy and to a savvy mistrust of mediated reality in general. Surveying several successful reality TV formats, the book links the rehabilitation of 'Big Brother' to the increasingly important economic role played by the work of being watched. The author enlists critical social theory to examine how the appeal of 'the real' is deployed as a pervasive but false promise of democratization. Drawing On Cultural Theory And Interviews With Fans, Cast Members And Producers, This Book Places The Reality Tv Trend Within A Broader Social Context, Tracing Its Relationship To The Development Of A Digitally Enhanced, Surveillance-based Interactive Economy And To A Savvy Mistrust Of Mediated Reality In General. Surveying Several Successful Reality Tv Formats, The Book Links The Rehabilitation Of Big Brother To The Increasing Economic Importance Of The Work Being Watched. The Author Enlists Critical Social Theory To Examine Hoe The Appeal Of 'the Real' Is Deployed As A Pervasive But False Promise Of Democratization--cover. Between The New Medium And The Old -- The Promise Of Digital Revolution -- Rediscovering Reality -- The Kinder, Gentler Gaze Of Big Brother -- Access To The Real -- It's All About The Experience -- Reality Tv And Voyeurism -- Survivor And Uncanny Capitalism. Mark Andrejevic. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 229-240) And Index. Surveying several successful reality TV formats, the book links the rehabilitation of Big Brother to the increasingly important economic role played by the work of being watched. The author enlists critical social theory to examine how the appeal of "the real" is deployed as a pervasive but false promise of democratisation