Pulitzer Prize-winning TV critic Emily Nussbaum delves into the history of reality TV, discussing iconic shows like 'Candid Camera,' 'An American Family,' and 'Cops.' She aims to educate rather than convince you to like the genre, emphasizing the importance of understanding its origins and impact on society.
Reality TV's roots can be traced back to Candid Camera, emphasizing audience participation and authentic reactions.
An American Family showcased real-life family dynamics, sparking discussions and influencing the evolution of reality TV.
Deep dives
Origin of Reality TV
Reality TV traces back to the show Candid Camera, with its focus on audience participation and pranks. Alan Funt's innovative pranks ranged from endearing mailbox conversations to slightly humiliating stunts. The show's format of capturing genuine reactions laid the foundation for reality TV's intimate portrayal of everyday people.
Impact of An American Family
An American Family, a PBS documentary in the 70s, documented the Loud family's intimate life, including a divorce and a son coming out as gay. The family's portrayal shocked viewers and sparked discussions, earning them celebrity status as reality stars. This groundbreaking show influenced the trajectory of reality TV and set the stage for more modern iterations like The Real World.
Ethical Concerns in Cops
The show Cops, termed an 'existential variety show,' faced criticism for its depiction of mainly white officers arresting black individuals. Despite efforts to balance the portrayal, ethical concerns arose around consent and power dynamics. The show's focus on police interactions and the vulnerability of those filmed raised questions about exploitation and the true representation of reality.
Reality television has generally got a bad rap, but Emily Nussbaum—who received a Pulitzer Prize, in 2016, for her work as The New Yorker’s TV critic—sees that the genre has its own history and craft. Nussbaum’s new book “Cue the Sun!” is a history of reality TV, and roughly half the book covers the era before “Survivor,” which is often considered the starting point of the genre. She picks three formative examples from the Before Time to discuss with David Remnick: “Candid Camera,” “An American Family,” and “Cops.” She’s not trying to get you to like reality TV, but rather, she says, “I'm trying to get you to understand it.”
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