Reality television has become a popular trend within today’s media, due to its high ratings and low production cost. Though ratings on reality shows have been consistently high, there is a clear distinction on what makes a reality show more or less compelling to watch not all. After analyzing two highly rated reality shows: America’s Next Top Model and American Idol, the show American Idol was determined the better reality show due to its ability to maintain a regular audience, which America’s Next Top Model was unable to do. Two specific factors seemed to cause the audience to either continue watching or discontinue watching these reality shows: structural consistency and alteration.
Structural consistency is important in reality shows; it guides the viewers. For example, on American Idol, every season has had a similar structure: initial auditions, cuts, contests among the remaining singers, and then the final cuts, where all of America can vote for their favorite singer(s). America’s Next Top Model also has structural consistency: auditions, weekly competitions and eliminations, and then a runway show “face-off” between the last two contestants that which panel of judges evaluates and then decides who “America’s next top model” is. Since both these shows have a general structural consistency that views can rely on, both shows remain popular.
However, it is the lack of alteration in the structural consistency that creates the marginal difference between the popularity of the two shows. Comparing the first season of American Idol to the current season, the consistent structure has remained the same: still starts with auditions, ends with America voting for its winner. But since the first season, there have been alterations in the competitions that each contestant must undertake. For example, unlike season one, the current season has its contestants both sing and play instruments for one of their competitions. Also, the show varies the categories of music that its contestants can choose from during the competition (i.e. during one season the contestants were restricted to music written in the 70’s. while in another contestants could only choose from 80’s classics).
The lack of alteration of structure is America’s Next Top Model is what restricts the show from maintaining a regular audience. Since the first season, and continuing throughout every season, the structure and the contests have remained fairly similar. In both the first season and the current season of the show, there has been a contest where contestants had meet and greet a certain amount of fashion designers in a limited amount of time. Also, in both seasons, contestants were required to attend a celebrity party so that the judges could evaluate their behavior around other mega-stars.
“I mix up what season is being played,” says Susan Curtis, a regular viewer of America’s Next Top Model. “Basically, it’s the same show every season; just different faces.”
How could America’s Next Top Model be improved? Altering the contests that the contestants must overcome, like American Idol has, could help the reality show escape the redundant structural rut it is in and may aid the show in maintaining a regular audience.
Even if popular, not all reality shows are equal. Structural consistency and alteration play a huge roll in how popular a reality show is. Both have to be used together, and even a slight lack of one or the other can reflect on the overall popularity of the show.
Sources:
About American Idol (n.d.). Retrieved February 14, 2008, from http://www.americanidol.com/about/
America's Next Top Model (n.d.). Retrieved February 14, 2008, from http://www.cwtv.com/shows/americas-next-top-model
Curtis, Susan. Personal interview. 12 Feb. 2008.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Coffee House Performance at the ARCC
Steve Means, a 22-year old acoustic singer and songwriter, performed in the cafeteria at Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) Cambridge Campus as a part of the ARCC’s Coffee House series.
Means is apart of the four-person Steve Means Band. In the past, Means has performed primarily in the Ohio area, including the Ohio State campus. More recently, Means has been touring further away from home.
Want more info on Means and his band? Check out these websites to find biographical information, touring schedules, and even to listen to his latest hits:
• http://www.myspace.com/stevemeans
• http://www.houseofwally.com
Means is apart of the four-person Steve Means Band. In the past, Means has performed primarily in the Ohio area, including the Ohio State campus. More recently, Means has been touring further away from home.
Want more info on Means and his band? Check out these websites to find biographical information, touring schedules, and even to listen to his latest hits:
• http://www.myspace.com/stevemeans
• http://www.houseofwally.com
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Progress Report
For my article, I have decided to compare and contrast the two 24/7 gyms in Cambridge: Anytime Fitness and Snap Fitness.
So far, I have contacted both gyms, scheduled interviews with trainers at the gym, and prepared questions for each interviewee.
Also, I am working on the structure of the article. I plan to show the pros and cons of both gyms (i.e. Anytime has showers, Snap does not. Snap doesn’t require a contract, Anytime does, etc).
Lastly, I am also planning to interview members from both gyms to get positive or negative feedback. So far I have a candidate from Snap, but am still working on finding a candidate for Anytime.
What I have learned so far: both gyms have great qualities. However, one gym may be great for one person, and the other gym may be great for another. For example, Snap only chares month by month, which works great for my family because the number of people in our house shifts often, meaning that one person can freeze their Snap account without affecting the entire family. However, Anytime had more trainers and a larger array of different machines available for their members.
Overall, I look forward to having these interviews and writing this article.
So far, I have contacted both gyms, scheduled interviews with trainers at the gym, and prepared questions for each interviewee.
Also, I am working on the structure of the article. I plan to show the pros and cons of both gyms (i.e. Anytime has showers, Snap does not. Snap doesn’t require a contract, Anytime does, etc).
Lastly, I am also planning to interview members from both gyms to get positive or negative feedback. So far I have a candidate from Snap, but am still working on finding a candidate for Anytime.
What I have learned so far: both gyms have great qualities. However, one gym may be great for one person, and the other gym may be great for another. For example, Snap only chares month by month, which works great for my family because the number of people in our house shifts often, meaning that one person can freeze their Snap account without affecting the entire family. However, Anytime had more trainers and a larger array of different machines available for their members.
Overall, I look forward to having these interviews and writing this article.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Caucuses (2/5/08)
The morning and afternoon before caucuses, friends and family repeatedly informed me that this year, caucuses were going to be crowded. Though I knew that this voting season was a remarkable season for the Democrats, I felt that even the popularity of the battle between Hillary Clinton and Brock Obama alone could not explain why people were foreshadowing a high voter turnout.
Arriving to the caucuses early (6pm), I found myself alone, and disappointed. Had my family and friends been leading me on the entire day?
However, at the scheduled starting time of the caucuses (6:30pm), the room quickly overflowed with voters. Seizing the opportunity, I traveled the room to find out why the voters were making it a point to make their vote count.
After conversing with several voters, it became apparent what subjects that voters were most concerned about:
- The decline in the U.S. economy
- The desire to get out of the war
- The dread of so many jobs moving overseas
“Americans are working harder and longer, but getting less,” stated David Bonello, editor of Wellness Directory of Minnesota. “Middle class people are now only one paycheck and one medical bill away from bankruptcy.”
“Our economy is bad,” said Jeff Rod, a machine operator at TEAM Industries. “Only 10% of manufacture jobs are still in the U.S.”
Bonello and Rod’s statements sum up how many fellow caucus attendees felt, and it was while I was conversing with these attendees why there was such a large outcome for the caucuses:
We want things to change. We do not want to allow ourselves or others sit back as our political leaders fail to meet their campaigned promises. We are getting involved so that there is a change, so that promises aren’t broken, so that America can change.
Arriving to the caucuses early (6pm), I found myself alone, and disappointed. Had my family and friends been leading me on the entire day?
However, at the scheduled starting time of the caucuses (6:30pm), the room quickly overflowed with voters. Seizing the opportunity, I traveled the room to find out why the voters were making it a point to make their vote count.
After conversing with several voters, it became apparent what subjects that voters were most concerned about:
- The decline in the U.S. economy
- The desire to get out of the war
- The dread of so many jobs moving overseas
“Americans are working harder and longer, but getting less,” stated David Bonello, editor of Wellness Directory of Minnesota. “Middle class people are now only one paycheck and one medical bill away from bankruptcy.”
“Our economy is bad,” said Jeff Rod, a machine operator at TEAM Industries. “Only 10% of manufacture jobs are still in the U.S.”
Bonello and Rod’s statements sum up how many fellow caucus attendees felt, and it was while I was conversing with these attendees why there was such a large outcome for the caucuses:
We want things to change. We do not want to allow ourselves or others sit back as our political leaders fail to meet their campaigned promises. We are getting involved so that there is a change, so that promises aren’t broken, so that America can change.
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