“This programme contains flash cars, big watches and extreme posing. The tans you see might be fake, but the people you see are all real although some of what they do has been set up purely for your entertainment.” [1]
To what extent and why are women within constructed reality TV shows such as ‘The Only Way is Essex’ represented in a negative way?
A crucial question must be asked, who is viewing the show as negative and why? If the show has a high rating and a strong loyal following, with each cast member having their own fan base, how is it that the show is negative. Audiences for this show are predominantly females from a working class background. This class of audience would perhaps relate to the show in several ways as to why they view it positively. The characters in the show are seen to be middle class, the audience in a way look up to the characters within the show and aspire to be just like them by imitating their appearance, behaviour and attitudes. Their lavish and carefree lifestyles is what they endeavour. The attitudes and culture is somewhat similar to theirs however presented in a more grand fashion. Therefore the outlook of the show to the target audience is seen as positive, as it gives them something to relate and aspire too. It can then be asked who views this show as negative and why. To the working class audience this reality TV show may be showing the glamorous lifestyle of the Essex individuals; however those who are in a higher class would look down towards them.
To a large extent woman within reality TV shows are seen as represented in a negative way as having no common sense and being sex objects. They are also seen as women who lack education and ambitions “as producers create a universe where women not only don't have real choices but don’t even want any.”[2] Constructed reality TV shows are known to represent women in this way portraying females today “including stereotypes that most people would have assumed got left behind 35 years ago.”[3]The real question is the reasons why producers represent women from this genre in such way. Some would believe that “The rise of reality TV came at a time when networks were looking for a quick fix solution to economic problems within the cultural industries”[4] this allows us to argue that the representations of women are false representations that are highly exaggerated so that they could hide real issues such as economic problems. Whereas, Laura Mulvey argued that objectifying women in an image is for the pleasure of men while women are seen as icons. A vast majority of the time constructed reality TV is seen as really popular genre which makes us rethink if women are actually even taking offence to the representations or even if they disagree with it. It makes us question “what do reality TV producers want us to believe about ourselves and about ‘our place’ in society.” [5]
ITV2’s reality TV show ‘The Only Way is Essex’ which is also known as Towie represents females in a negative aspect Females are constantly being shown as the usual uneducated blonde who is searching for 15 minutes of fame that try to build a career on reality shows. Who are represented to us as sexualized, semi-naked with counterfeit type bodies. ‘The Only Way is Essex’ demonstrates the typical stereotypes of the roles of females within reality TV shows that are “moulded into predetermined stock characters such as “The bitch”, “The weepers” and “The Angry black women” the strong, independent women are typically excluded.”[6] ‘The Only Way is Essex’ females present to us these typical stereotype characteristics, none of the females are seen as independent role models but as females who have reached their aspirations to be noticed on television by undertaking theses stereotypical roles and who actually look desperate. These stereotypical roles such as “Portraying the female population as ditzy, inept workers, wives and mothers.”[7] Actually influence viewers who are especially females around the world to actually feel that it’s their duty to fill out these roles within the real world. This also affects male audiences to actually believe that these are the correct roles of females and that this is how the females around them should be like.
Looking at hypodermic needle theory, reality TV producers could be constructing these roles of females to affect the viewers at home as they know that whatever is shown by the media always has a powerful effect on its audiences. It’s as if they want us to imitate exactly what they show us and to influence the future roles of the females within the society to stop them from becoming their own person. These roles also in a way supports hegemony forces within reality TV shows, on how women should think, act and dress and shows like ‘The Only Way is Essex’ is largely responsible for the hegemony surrounding females within the society as it attacks the views of social, sexual and political views. The hypodermic needle theory could be applied to describe the intentions of the TV producers for this particular show. Constantly portraying women in this show as weak passive sexual objects will eventually make viewers believe that this is what they are, therefore complying with the self fulfilling prophecy, where they subsequently become indoctrinated to act out as women to within the show.
Reality TV is seen “The influence of all media is systemic and affects how we think and feel in ways we don’t even recognise.”[8] There are many effects reality television could have on its audiences, most these effects are not positive. The fake look that has become mainstream within the reality TV “constantly reminds us the audience that we’re not good enough, we need to be fixed, and that our value lies in our youth and beauty.”[9] It makes viewers question their natural beauty and bring down their self esteem because they feel as if they don’t fit into their ‘fake’ category. When really the women that star in shows such as ‘The Only Way is Essex’ are the real people who suffer from low self esteem as they form themselves like clones mimicking each other’s personalities. “The popularity of reality TV has led to a dangerous blurring of boundaries between fact and fiction as a result reality TV has had a negative effect on modern society.” [10] ‘The Only Way is Essex’ is a constructed reality TV show that has been edited which changes what actually happens within the scenes and makes audiences believe that what is occurring is 100% true. So it allows audiences to actually believe that these people spend all of their money on unnecessary items and partying. Reality TV shows has a major influence on the audiences everyday lives. Now that reality TV has become mainstream and popular, it questions if viewers at home know that reality TV shows such as ‘The Only Way is Essex’ is actually constructed and most scenes are set up for entertainment purposes.
‘The Only Way is Essex’ leads viewers on and makes their viewers at home to believe that sex sells as they promote their bodies and make them believe that their sex appeal is what got on ‘The Only Way is Essex.’ This leads to especially young female viewers who look at reality TV stars as role models to not being able to divide the differences between the actual fact and fiction that occur on the only way is Essex. “Women are becoming desensitized to their emotional needs and instead use beauty as a temporary Band-Aid and reality TV secretly promotes this.”[11] Women who watch reality TV shows expect the same amount of attention that reality TV stars gain from the amount of makeup they put on and the way that dress. This leads to women not appreciating their true beauty and pilling on more and more make up to make themselves to feel good about themselves.
The representations within reality TV shows are not fair, all of the characters within the only way is Essex are all portrayed to be literally ‘stupid’ characters. Also the type of language that is used throughout the advert are typically Essex vocabulary words such as ‘shaatup’ and ‘reem’ to promote themselves and the city that they are from. The views on ordinary people from Essex themselves feeling as if “it was not a true representation of the area and the people that live there.” And others stated that “ITV2 show ‘The Only Way is Essex’ could set us back 20 years.” If the residents of Essex are disagreeing the representations and stereotypes of the show then it makes us question the real agenda of the makers of only way is Essex and makes us wonder exactly why the real representations of women are being destroyed in a matter of episodes. In Reality TV shows women are portrayed as the weaker submissive being as opposed to men who are the strong and more emotionally stable. Reality TV shows portray women as their stereotype of a sexual object example of Towie females are always making an effort to look attractive for the male attention. In almost all adverts that are made to promote Towie the female protagonist is posing in a promiscuous way as to target the male audience. It promotes what is identified and viewed as women in today’s society and era. It does not aim to help minimise the oppression of women on TV or even try to challenge it but yet it promotes gender role superiority. As they show females as “single women who are seen as they could never be happy of flourished finically without husbands.” [12] In all episodes of Towie they emphasis on sex and the results of the “emphasis on sexism both divides men and women.” [13]
Laura Mulvey argues that females are represented in such manner because of the female gaze .This is done so that the male viewers can admire what they see for visual pleasure and also especially so that the females can also admire their looks and appearances and admire the fact of what makes the men admire them, which relates to the hypodermic needle as viewers will be influenced by this so that this can be copied by the female viewers themselves by copying their appearances and the way they act and thinking and also actually changing their opinions and beliefs to believing that this how women are meant to be because male viewers admire them. The more viewers choose to watch this the more it would actually influence them to believe this.
On the other hand the only way is Essex and other reality TV shows that are similar are really popular across the UK, there must be a reason to why there is such a large market when it comes to reality TV. A question that I also place on the debate on reality TV is maybe us as audiences do we gain a sense of amusement from actually just watching them or “does the pleasure come from judging them?”[14] All viewers gain a sense of enjoyment from watching the drama that surrounds people in their daily lives and how they go about these problems to fulfil our sense of curiosity. But at the same time viewers gain a sense of pleasure from judging and criticising the characters within ‘The Only Way is Essex’, which makes the viewers at home feel good about themselves which leads them to coming back for more. " Might have initiated a negative response before, now give the viewer a sense of calm because of its link to relaxation."[15] This relates desensitized theory as women that watch reality TV shows maybe addicted to reality TV due to the fact that the lives of the reality TV stars was once frowned upon and looked as if it was really bad to act in such manner and unlady like. This is because of “the psychological pleasures that come with watching TV and as a repetitive and heavy viewer of negative & violence on TV it suddenly becomes pleasurable to us”[16]
If we observe the structured role of women within reality TV over the years it has changed immensely but in a way also stayed similar. An American family was one of the first reality TV documentary styled show which began in 1971. Within the 70’s this was known to be the year of representations of women slowly starting to grow. I would all state that the two are almost “two systems of representations.”[17]The opening sequel of ‘An American Family’ the shows the social norms and family values at the start of every episode which is showing the father located at work and in his work clothes, the father role within the home is seen as the head of house and in charge. The representations of women in the 70’s are that the mother is seen as being preoccupied with preparing family meals and cleaning the home, also looks natural and not fussed about material things but at the same time seen as a sexual desire within that era to the male gaze even still by being fully clothed. ‘An American Family’ does not promote in any way women being over sexualised but are shown as good women who stand by their families but are seen as for the male gaze and for pleasure of male audiences, as the camera focuses on her whilst she does her shopping and gardening for the family to play the role of a women in 70’s.
Compared to ‘The Only Way is Essex’ the representation is diverse as the women are constantly seen as trophy women that are all single who are all about being semi naked and searching for romance. In order for the women to feel as if they are living up to their full potential as women they feel they need to be underdressed, wearing lots of fake tan, and have nice cars & homes. They never show how they achieve these nice cars, homes and clothes and that’s what confuses most of the viewers at home, they are not able to see how these people got there or what’s behind the scenes causing them to be influenced by what they see.
It seems over the years that the representation of being a housewife who stays at home to look after their families has disappeared as female representation are more degraded year by year . It makes us believe that “genuine female identity has been repressed” [18] reasoning because of reality TV shows.
The reasons to why females are represented in such way draws forward many debates and arguments is because there are many different beliefs in why females are victims of reality TV. If reality TV handing to us ‘real TV’ then why won’t they show us the true representations of women in our society which are hard working females that are independent which work hard to get to where they are and that don’t depend on men.
In conclusion women in reality TV shows are portrayed in a negative manner, as they are not represented as women are in actual reality. TV shows belittle women so that they fit their stereotype, as a typical housewife whose only goal in life is to please her male counterpart. This of course is not in reality what a woman is or should be however through this representation audiences are subjected to believe this is the status quo, and that all women should aspire to like them. However it is not only upper class women who will see this show as negative, those in the working class who are conscious of stereotypes and know in reality women are much different and can be elevated to be educated individuals who do not depend on male’s to make sure they have a fulfilled life.
Word count:3,201
[1] Opening to ‘The only way is Essex.
[2] Pozner, J. L. (2010). Reality bites back: the troubling truth about guilty pleasure TV. Berkeley, CA: Seal Press Page 145
[3] Ibid.
[4] Hill, A. (2005). Reality TV: audiences and popular factual television. London: Routledge. Page 32
[5] Pozner, J. L. (2010). Reality bites back: the troubling truth about guilty pleasure TV. Berkeley, CA: Seal Press page146
[6] Ibid.
[7] Pozner, J. L. (2010). Reality bites back: the troubling truth about guilty pleasure TV. Berkeley, CA: Seal Press Page 146
[8] Ibid
[9] http://www.missrepresentation.org/reality-tv/reality-tv-the-self-esteem-of-women/:
[10] Hill, A. (2005). Reality TV: audiences and popular factual television. London: Routledge. Page 34
[12] Pozner, J. L. (2010). Reality bites back: the troubling truth about guilty pleasure TV. Berkeley, CA: Seal Press
[13] Scanlon, Helen. Representation and reality: women and politicisation in the Western Cape, 1948-1976. S.l.: s.n.], 2002. Print.
[14] http://www.missrepresentation.org/reality-tv/reality-tv-the-self-esteem-of-women/:
[16] ibid
[17] Hall, Stuart. Representation: cultural representations and signifying practices. London: Sage in association with the Open University, 1997. Print. Page 178
[18] Mayne, Judith. The woman at the keyhole feminism and women's cinema. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1990. Print.
Words cited
Books
· Hall, S. (1997). Representation: cultural representations and signifying practices. London: Sage in association with the Open University.
· Hill, A. (2005). Reality TV: audiences and popular factual television. London: Routledge.
· Pozner, J. L. (2010). Reality bites back: the troubling truth about guilty pleasure TV. Berkeley, CA: Seal Press :.
· Mayne, Judith. The woman at the keyhole feminism and women's cinema. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1990. Print.
· Meyers, M. (2008). Women in popular culture: representation and meaning. Cresskill, N.J.: Hampton Press.
· Scanlon, Helen. Representation and reality: women and politicisation in the Western Cape, 1948-1976. S.l.: s.n.], 2002. Print.
Websites
· Ellington, Edwina. "TV’s The Only Way Is Essex slammed as ‘offensive’ - Home - Ilford Recorder." Home-Ilford Recorder. N.p., 10Nov.2010.Web.14 Mar. 2013. <http://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/home
· Essex news, views & business listings from Essex's Community | This is Essex. N.p., n.d. Web. 14Mar.2013.<http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/set-20-years/story-12647133-detail/story.html>.
· Raney, Stephanie. "Cultivation Theory and Female Sexuality in Mainstream Television Dramas and Comedies | Stephanie Raney - Academia.edu." Academia.edu - Share research. N.p.,n.d.Web.14Mar.2013. <http://www.academia.edu/390080/Cultivation_Theory_and_Female_Sexuality_in_Mainstream_Television_Dramas_and_Comedies>.
Moving image text
· "AN AMERICAN FAMILY - THE LOUDS (1971) - YouTube." YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF3bs4xvbYg&feature=player_embedded
· "Reality TV and Women's Self Esteem-YouTube." YouTube. N.p.,n.d.Web.14Mar. 2013.<http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tdAuOYB8dUI>.
· "The Only Way Is Essex Series Four Trailer - New Faces! - YouTube." YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLW3_Ieckm4&feature=player_embedded
Words consulted
Books
· Andrejevic, M. (2004). Reality TV: the work of being watched. Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
· DeVolld, T. (2011). Reality TV: an insider's guide to TV's hottest market. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions.
· Escoffery, D. S. (2006). How real is reality TV?: essays on representation and truth. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co..
· Essany, M. (2008). Reality check the business and art of producing reality TV. Amsterdam: Focal Press/Elsevier.
· Waters, M. (2011). Women on screen. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Websites
· Graydon, Shari . " Gender Issues In The Media." The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario . N.p.,n.d.Web.14Mar.2013.<http://www.etfo.ca/Resources/ForTeachers/Documents/Gender%20Issues%20in%20The%20Media.aspx
· http://www.msmagazine.com/fall2004/unrealworld.as
· "Why are women portrayed so negatively in film? - | movies, TV, videogames, crowd-funding - Shadowlocked: find the future!." Shadowlocked - | movies, TV, videogames, crowd-funding - Shadowlocked: find the future!.N.p.,n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2013. <http://www.shadowlocked.com/2010021791/opinion-features/why-are-women-portrayed-so-negatively-in-film.html>.
