Term Paper #3

Term Paper #3: 

Reality Television ft. Love Island produced by ITV Studios and 

The Voice created by John De Mol

Reality Television is the reason of my existence. No, I'm only kidding, maybe. Sometimes, after a long day of classes, music rehearsal, and work, I want to sit back and relax with a nice drink, some comfort food, and a nice warm blanket, while watching other people in real time. For me, this mostly consists of TikTok videos, such as "Get Ready With Me" and daily vlog videos, but sometimes, it consists of television shows, like Dancing with the Stars or Love Island. If you've never heard of or watched the show, Love Island, let me be the first to tell you it is absolutely worth it. I've only watched one season of Love Island USA and the first ever season of Love Island Games. I am absolutely in love. I realize that I can't stop talking about it, so I'll fully introduce you to that production first. 

Love Island is a reality television show, created by ITV Studios. The show was created for amazing-looking guys and girls to try and find the potential love of their life. It's similar to one of the country's favorites, The Bachelor. However, instead of just one guy having control over his potential lover, all parties get to pick, choose, and switch to whoever they want when there is a recoupling. In other words, it's basically an in-person dating app. Cool, right? Not to mention, all performers are competing for a $100,000 prize, based on their connections in the villa and the recoupling nights. 

 

Love Island is set to look like an Island, but truth is, it's not an island at all. In fact, the villa for season 2 was filmed at Caesars Entertainment Boutique Hotel in Las Vegas. It is a villa filled with colorful hangout spots for the performers, along with one large bedroom with multiple beds for the couples. They are encouraged to talk and get to know one another intimately(but not explicitly), and the hosts hold a recoupling every so many days. After the girls and guys are coupled up, they are sometimes gifted with surprise dates, dance parties, pool parties, and other fun activities. Each season is structured the same way. The producers chose people who they seem fit to entertain the audience, the performers search for love and even friendships, and a $100,000 prize is given to the winning couple, based on the decision of  the fans and their votes. Did I forget to mention that? Oh, yes. Couples are sent home every so often leaving a final four, based on the votes of the viewers. The producers are clever when it comes to gathering and maintaing a large audience. The performers they chose are, clearly, gorgeous eye candy. Who wouldn't want to watch hot people play around with each other while looking for love? Unfortunately, they are not allowed to have their phones inside of the villa, but they are given "show" phones, that they anticipate to receive texts from daily. With no one, including the viewers, knowing what the text will say, it leaves us enticed and on edge. With that being noted, teenagers, young adults, and hardcore fans of The Bachelor and shows like it are most likely to be the audience. Speaking for myself, as a young adult. 

For my musically-inclined viewers, this one is for you. John de Mol Jr. is the creator of NBC's The Voice. The Voice is a competitive reality television show. It was created for small(or big) town people with outstanding voices and big dreams. People from all over the states audition to be placed on the show, and there, they would have a world-wide seen blind audition on television and in front of the judges. The judges happen to be some of America's biggest artists in the music industry. Those who are chosen by at least one of the judges are automatically in the competition and have a chance to win a $100,000 prize and a guaranteed record deal with Universal Republic Records. 

As mentioned earlier,  The Voice has had a generous amount of judges over the past 12 years and 24 seasons, including country musician, Blake Shelton, American singer, actress, and idol, Kelly Clarkson, American singer-songwriter, Alicia Keys, America's popstar, singer-songwriter, and actress, Ariana Grande, and more names that will blow your mind. For a 12-year and ongoing series, the producers sure know how to get an audience. The coaches(judges) are the first that come to mind. Who wouldn't want to watch a show that displays Jennifer Hudson and Gwen Stefani up close? Fans are able to watch some of their favorite idols listen to others and react truthfully, alongside displaying love and laughter between the other coaches. It's like having a conversation, but only one side is actually talking. Fun, right? The minimum age to audition for the blind auditions is 13 years old. That has to be more than fair for many young, talented teens out there that want to start their music journey early. From 13 years to any age, just imagine the wide range of ages, ethnicities, and states that are represented on the show. After the blind auditions have finished, the coaches work with the individuals on their team and prepare them for knockouts. The songs that are chosen are pleasing to the ear, and that only encourages the viewers to come back next week and watch the newest episode. Singers, or even those who love listening to other people sing are the most likely to watch The Voice. Not only them, but the fans of the idols that are hired as coaches from season to season will also watch. This makes up of a huge percentage of the audience. 

Not all reality television shows succeed. Some fail due to poor advertisements on social media, lack of entertainment on the show, and lack of support from other producers or production labels. However, some do succeed. There are two perfect example above, but there are others that have been multiple-hit-wonders, such as Dancing With the Stars, Dance Moms, The Property Brothers, and The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Luckily, the public relations team for Love Island has decided to promote the lovers on Tiktok. The performers were allowed to use their "show phones" to make videos with their partners which was more personal behind the scenes. The fans absolutely love it and think the couples are so much cuter than how they saw them on the show. Likewise, The Voice has a Tiktok page, where all of the blind auditions, battles, knockouts, and performances are posted in smaller clips. We know how addicting social media can be. We want to scroll for hours on end. In doing this, individuals all over end up watching multiple videos from the current season of The Voice. 

If someone where to give me millions of dollars with the chance of creating my own reality television show, it would be a game show. I absolutely adore Love Island Games, which is a more competitive version of Love Island. However, I would rather pick random friend groups from college campuses. After spectating and lurking on the college prey, I would offer a chance to those who I deem fit. The games would be from all genres. This might include physical games that may require running and battling, card and board games that require thinking and communication, singing games, dancing games, escape room games, and all the games you could possibly think of(that I haven't already listed.) What would I call it? I'm not sure, but based on what I know about the other reality TV shows, there's no way I wouldn't have the chance to create a huge success.