It’s a simple fact that we, as a nation, adore reality television.
Indeed, our Saturday nights are now spent in front of the box as often as they are out on the town, while we’ll happily forgo a pint in our local to watch the concluding episodes of our favourite show. Reality TV is the genre we all love to hate, but we can’t help but be drawn into the drama – even if we claim, earnestly, not to watch it at all. Reality TV is our escapism – a window into someone else’s world, and an opportunity to have an opinion, as much as it is a form of entertainment. It’s also a genre we do particularly well, as we’ll explore…
Is the UK the reality TV capital of the world?
Next to the US, the UK has some of the best-known reality television formats and beloved concepts to be found anywhere in the world. While we have been known to adopt and transform ideas that we’ve stumbled across in America, Brits are equally capable of creating original reality television gold. Indeed, many reality television shows have started life in the UK, pushing the boundaries of entertainment and inspiring the viewing habits of countries that we’ve otherwise very little in common with. By 2013, the sale of British television shows, including reality TV, had netted us £1.22 billion. We’re happy to embrace reality TV because it’s a genre that we excel at.
It’s also worth mentioning that we’re one of the luckiest countries in the world when it comes to television show champions, sporting achievements, and lottery winners. According to an infographic produced by 888poker, the UK has spawned 74 reality television show winners, and awarded some $260,000,000 in cash prizes – that’s more competition wins per person than any other country. We can’t get enough of reality television when cash prizes raise the stakes, and game shows such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, The Chase, Deal or No Deal and Tipping Point are as addictive as any gaming habit; we’re not there in body, but the adrenaline rush associated with the successes and failures of the contestants is an experience we just can’t let go of. What’s more, the invention of gaming apps, reality TV websites and the red button concept means that we don’t actually need to let go. The excitement is waiting for us long after our favourite shows have finished.
The shows you should be watching
The business of reality TV is a tricky one; unlike Marmite, which you’ll either love or hate, there’s bound to be a reality TV show that has piqued your interest at one time or another. Perhaps you don’t consider yourself a follower of the genre, but we all have our guilty pleasures, don’t we? From human interest and game shows, to talent shows and celebrity offerings, these are just a handful of the reality TV shows that we can’t help but love…
Human interest shows
Perhaps the most popular reality television shows are those focusing on human interest, including love and relationships, behaviour, and forced situations. Gogglebox, The Only Way Is Essex, Geordie Shore and Made in Chelsea have proved effortlessly popular as we clamour to become involved in the lives of the genuine characters that we get to know each week, while programmes such as Take Me Out, First Dates, The Undateables, The Apprentice and educational offerings such as The 1900 House and Embarrassing Bodies provide an interesting insight into human behaviour in all manner of situations. Suddenly, the simple act of watching others as they watch television has become unmissable.
Talent shows
We want to be entertained, and these days we’re as happy to watch terrible singers following their dreams as we are to experience true talent as it’s discovered. For this reason, reality TV talent shows such as Pop Idol, The Voice, The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent have really struck a chord with the British viewing public. Although The Voice was based upon a concept created in Holland, Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor have successfully spawned their own overseas versions. It turns out that we’re not only intrigued by singing, dancing and acting, but we’re also partial to talents of every kind. Indeed, the successes of shows such as The Great British Bake Off, Master Chef, The Great British Sewing Bee and Hair have demonstrated that we simply want to be a part of something and support our favourite contestants until the end.
Celebrity shows
There are very few things that celebrities won’t do these days – a fact that’s become all too apparent from the slew of reality TV shows that have emerged during the last few years. We’ve had I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity Big Brother and Splash! as well as Dancing on Ice, CelebAir and Celebrity Wrestling to name but a few. We’ve also been treated to all kinds of celebrity specials of our favourite reality shows; Celebrity Big Brother has, to a certain extent, eclipsed the popularity of the original format. Why do we adore these shows? Reality TV is a great way to get to know celebrities, and many of us feel much closer to the stars once we’ve watched them at their most vulnerable, and human. Through reality shows, we engage with celebrity personalities, and watch them fulfil the tasks that we’ve often dreamed of doing. Besides, they’re usually effortlessly entertaining to watch!
If anything, we hope that this post has motivated you to catch up with your favourite reality TV shows, and reminded you that the UK really is one of the luckiest countries when it comes to great ideas for television concepts and entertainment. Perhaps we’ve even inspired you to dip into a series that you’ve never tried before, or to come up with a format of your very own. Happy watching, everyone!