Sociologist media Nathalie Nadaud Albertini is one of the few to spare his criticism of the reality TV shows. It will publish Twelve years of reality … beyond moral criticism by Editions de l’INA in May.
How do you explain the media frenzy around the case “Koh-Lanta”?
The disorder created by the death of Gerald Babin first. When elements are lacking to enter a situation, we try to fill this gap in order to understand, everyone makes assumptions and investigate its fa? There. The media, who do their work of investigation and information, delivering information as and when they have them. In general, the reality has feuilletonnant c ty: the story begins in a program and continues in the press and on social networks. Generally, it is located in a less tragic register, but the pattern is the same: the soap.
Before his appearance on French screens? Ais, the reality was very bad press. Why?
Critics are based on the most trash formats broadcast abroad. When there is a vacuum of information, are filled, and often fears.
Reality TV has been around for over ten years in France. A she changed?
Yes, especially from the point of view of the management of criticism. At first, when “Loft Story”, M6 and production tried to deflect criticism by playing the card of transparency and authenticity. ? Has has only to swell criticism. Designers emissions have therefore changed their strategy. Critics were then undertaken. They were integrated directly into the concepts. This was done in two stages. First, we tried to balance criticism claimed by an altruistic goal. For example, “The Farm celebrities” or “First Company” demanded a certain sadism towards the candidates, but to serve a good cause, since, for each participant, each week in the issue related to a charity a certain amount of money.
Then, we assumed full critique. For example, “Secret Story” openly based his concept on lies and manipulation. This is the same set of rules and candidates are punished if they break. Since then, reality has subsided. It is not always located in the dialogue with the critics. “Top Chef” or “Master Chef” are emblematic of this trend concepts, because they are far removed from the trash or bling. It has also evolved in terms of themes. We left the observation of human relationships in a group of young people end up dealing with very diverse themes (music, dance, cooking, children’s education, physical appearance, decoration …) .
Reality TV has psychological or mental risks such. Does not we tend to suppress them, to forget, when you look?
Psychological or physical risks are not the prerogative of reality. The problem is that we tend to want a sanitized society which neutralizes all risks. This is not possible. We can not all my? Triser. In all the experiments that we live, there are psychological risks. Suicide police or farmers outnumber those candidates reality TV. As for the physical, they are present in many sports: soccer, auto racing, the so-called extreme sports, and many others.
How do you explain the success of youth “Angels of Reality TV” or “Sticks”?
In the same way? We we explained the success of “Helen and the boys” in his time. It looks to be in the second degree, or because it is tied to that character as it includes a little of oneself, or to be able to talk with others.
Should we be worried?
I do not think so. Standards promoted by these programs vary from one program to another. But one stands out clearly: the non-competitive competition. The candidates know they are in competition with each other, but they make sure to live the way has earned the little violence as possible. That is to say, they are able to develop friendships or romantic relationships. This does not exclude the enmity reports or disputes: a part of human relationships. And when a candidate is excluded, it shows no jealousy toward those who remain or resentment towards those who have eliminated. He considers that he had an experience that will be part of his life and wants others to succeed.
Still, is it not harmful to see the stupidity spread in length emissions?
These issues seem especially stupid when you do look a little decontextualized way. When considering further the contents of each issue, we glimpse ilo it tells a story that could touch. For example, “The Angels of Reality TV” appear drowning in stupidity. Often, the program reduces the famous “All? What?” Nabila.
If we look further, we glimpse ilo that candidates trying to succeed a career. They go to visit the knotted stomach emerge disappointed us or hopeful. These are situations that most people have known and which are therefore likely to affect. It is the same for stories of love, friendship or enmity.
You wrote that “Splash” was a good concept, yet it is a program based on the mockery and could encourage people to put themselves in danger …
I said “Splash” was a good concept, in the sense that it was designed to work well with viewers. It was not a moral judgment. It is true that many mocked the issue or denounced his emptiness. But it is the critics of reality that have adopted this position. If it is neutral, we glimpse ilo this program conveyed values ??of courage and transcendence. There are worse as a message.
As for public incitement to endanger, if we look at the studies on the influence of the media, we glimpse a violent ilo program will violate a person willing to violence , a pornographic program shall be construed as an incitement to rape than a person already having this type of drive, etc.. Those willing to endanger the will with or without “Splash”.
Will it good reality TV programs?
What is a “good” program reality? A program that works with viewers or a program called “quality”? Generally, it refers to a certain cultural elitism. I do not share this view of culture. For me, it does not cleave the people. And most importantly, it all depends on what everyone does. It can be sealed to the Greek tragedies and be touched by “Dallas”. In my view, we are still dealing with stories that tell human stories of love, friendship, hatred, power struggles, etc..
You realize that you are completely against the grain of what we can say about this kind of issue …
Yes, absolutely. When I started to prepare a thesis on the subject, and I did not want to do as often critical a priori, but conduct an objective sociological study as much as possible
You talk about ethical reality. Here again you are not going too far?
I say that reality has meant to build as an ethically acceptable kind. For example, in “The Voice”, it incorporates the principle of blind auditions, as the anonymous CV, will operate on a non-discriminatory. The ethical trend in the air. She bends the identity of all brands. Some companies insist on their heart multicultural ty, their ability to integrate disability or their ecological dimension. It is the same for each donkeys television.
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