The Bachelor, Real Chance of Love, Survivor, The Apprentice, My Antonio, The Hills…what do all of these seemingly un-related titles have in common? They are all a part of the ever growing circuit of reality TV shows that are clogging our television sets. In today’s world, it seems that anyone can rise up from their depths of insecurity and nameless society and create their own off brand ways of “finding love” or living with a group of “unknown” people in order to create some sort of chaos and ever raising ratings. But, where did these outrageous real world sitcoms begin and why are they becoming so apart of the influences in our younger generations? Furthermore, how can you become a reality TV star and have a chance to boost your face into the images of stars and put your footprints on the same red carpet as Angelina Jolie?
“Smile you’re on Candid Camera!!”
David Funt’s classic “Candid Camera” sparked the beginning of the reality television revolution. Starting off as the radio show “Candid Microphone”, Funt wanted to create a syndicated show that revolved around pranking unsuspecting people. One of his most famous pranks consisted of placing a “gas tank’ in a car and then telling the “guest” that they were breathing in toxic waste. After a few screams and obscenities, the prank would be revealed followed by the popular music and the phrase “Smile, You’re on Candid Camera”. Soon after followed shows like “Truth or Consequences”, “Ted Macks Original Comedy Hour” and the first Miss America pageant. As time went on, shows like “Punk’d” and “The Jamie Kennedy Experiment” were created, in a way paying homage to the fathers of this genre.
Re-creation in the New Century
Early 2000 caused the reality television fad to burst out of its bubble. VH1, once known to only cater to music artists and new videos (hence the name VH1 which stands for “Video Hits 1”) now only seems to show weekly doses of “reality” to the public. The introduction of “Flavor of Love”, a show where numerous women show interest in Public Enemy group member Flavor Flav brought ratings through the roof for the network. That was all that was needed in order to further push the envelope. Spin offs such as “I Love New York” and “Real Chance of Love” sprouted up like new forests. MTV (Music Television) has slowed down significantly from showing what the network was once founded for, and has now started showing “hit” shows such as “The Hills” “Road Rules” and of course, the ever popular “Real World”, where a group of young adults are placed in a house and forced to live together while the rest of the world watches their conflicting personalities clash. These mind numbing cartoon-esque (for the zany personalities and actions these people seem to do in “reality”) shows have also sprung up a new career path for the younger generations.
Celebreality
Since the start of celebrities, everyone has wanted to become known by the entire world. Until recently, that has been next to impossible without possessing some sort of either musical or strange talent. But now, anyone can become famous just by getting onto one of these shows….or creating your own. Tiffany Pollard, the star of “I Love New York” wasn’t always the bullheaded, loud mouth woman we see on everyday television now. Back before her appearance on “Flavor of Love” (where she got her start), Pollard was a simple New Yorker who had a high school degree. Now, she is the voluptuous (thanks be to breast implants) actress and reality television star known as “New York”. Omarosa, political consultant to the Gore administration and Bill Clinton’s administration got her big break as being known as the only two time contestant on “The Apprentice”. Afterwards, she participated in “The Surreal Life” where she got into a famous season long feud with model Janice Dickenson. So how can YOU become famous? Follow these steps:
Step 1: Try out for as many shows as humanly possible. Reality television has stopped being reality, since most people are boring without a little spicing up. So, do your best to come into the interview(s) with as crazy as a personality as you can get. Want to be the sly one? Talk about every other interviewee to the interviewer. Want to be the bi-itch? Then criticize everything you see. If they can see how wacked out your “real self” is, then you will definitely land a spot on a hit show.
Step 2: Once you’ve made it on, don’t do what most think you should. Don’t start so much drama!! Contestants such as New York and Omarosa didn’t stay on their shows by fighting every chance they got. Instead, they played it smooth, talking about everyone and then smiling in everyone’s faces. DO just that. Your goal is to not necessarily win, but to stay on the show as long as possible. The more exposure, the better.
Step 3: When the time is right, ATTACK!! Make up some huge amount of drama, and even if you get kicked off make sure that you go out with a bang. That way, if your episode raises the most ratings (which I’m sure by now shouldn’t be a problem) then the producers would be more willing to create a show catered around you. Daisy Delahoya, contestant off of Brett Michael’s show “Rock of Love 2” did just this. During the season, she was known as the sensitive one, crying and being picked on by the other girls who did not favor her. After she got the boot, instead of running to the confessional like she did every other time, she was approached by producers and created her very own show “Daisy of Love”.
Step 4: Final Step. If for some reason you are not approached by the producers, Approach them yourself!! Showing that sense of leadership and the right amount of attitude is just what’s needed in order to further push them towards your sense of thinking.
So there you have it, a little history on reality TV, some information on the celebreality stars themselves and finally, a how to on just what to do to become one yourself. You’re on your own kid, do with it what you will.
Sources:
Reality Television
Omarosa Website
Omarosa Wiki
Tiffany Pollard Wiki
Candid Camera Wiki
Flavor Flav
Daisy of Love Wiki
