JohnAndKatePlus8
A history of reality television (part eight): Family, work ... and the future
Family and the workplace -- two constants in everyday American society. They are the places where we spend most of our lives. Sometimes we spend more time at one over complaints of the other. Other times, we barely want to spend time at either location.
Because these are so important to many people across this country, it made sense that television would delve into both of these environments during the Reality Revolution. However, since a 60-minute show about a senior technical analyst sitting in his four square-foot cube was not likely to draw in the audience, the reality shows that were created focused on those families and workplaces that were a tad more unique. Thusly, shows were created around well-to-do families, celebrity families, or families with multiple children, while workplace shows dealt in tattoos, motorcycles, hair styling, and house-flipping.
Coming in later than the game operas and relationship shows, these family and workplace programs ushered in a new phase of the Reality Revolution and set the stage for the future of reality programming.
TV Squad Hot Topics
Most Popular Articles
From Our Partners
- Becki Newton, 'How I Met Your Mother' creators join forces for FOX comedy pilot
- TV ratings: 'Grimm' and 'Shark Tank' rise, CBS stays on top Friday
- John Goodman, Roseanne Barr reunite in NBC pilot 'Downwardly Mobile'
- 'The Vampire Diaries' recap: In which Elena is starting to get on our nerves
- 'Fringe': 'Lost's Henry Ian Cusick cast
- More From Zap2it
- CSI: NY Exclusive: Jaime Ray Newman Returns!
- James Wolk Enters Political Fray, Joins USA Network's D.C.-Based Drama Series
- Ratings: Shark Tank Makes a Splash, Fringe Matches Low, Supernatural Dips and Grimm Gains
- Shameless' Justin Chatwin Previews Steve's Quest to Win Back Fiona and His 'Sticky' Mess
- Pilot Scoop: Michael B. Jordan Reunites with Friday Night Lights Boss on NBC's County
- More From TVLine
