Digest

David Remnick interviews Emily Nussbaum, a staff writer for The New Yorker, about her new book, "Q the Sun: A History of Reality TV." Nussbaum argues that reality television has a long and complex history, starting with early radio shows like Ellen Funt's Candid Microphone, which featured hidden microphones capturing people's reactions to various situations. She discusses how Candid Microphone's innovations, including the use of pranks and the reveal of the prank to the subject, laid the groundwork for the genre. Nussbaum also examines the impact of "An American Family," a groundbreaking documentary series that aired on PBS in 1973. The show, which followed the lives of the Loud family, including their divorce and the coming out of their son Lance, became a cultural phenomenon and paved the way for the rise of reality soap operas. Nussbaum argues that "An American Family" was a significant turning point in the history of reality television, as it introduced the idea of ordinary people becoming celebrities for being themselves. She also discusses the influence of "An American Family" on shows like "The Real World," which marked the beginning of modern reality television. Nussbaum then explores the history of "Cops," a long-running reality show that follows police officers on patrol. She discusses the show's controversial portrayal of police work and the ethical implications of filming people in vulnerable situations. Nussbaum concludes by arguing that reality television is a product of both economic and social forces, and that its history is a reflection of the changing cultural landscape.

Outlines

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Introduction

This Chapter introduces the topic of reality television and the guest, Emily Nussbaum, a staff writer for The New Yorker, who has written a new book on the history of reality television, "Q the Sun: A History of Reality TV."

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The Origins of Reality Television

This Chapter explores the origins of reality television, tracing its roots back to early radio shows like Ellen Funt's Candid Microphone. Nussbaum discusses how Candid Microphone's innovations, including the use of pranks and the reveal of the prank to the subject, laid the groundwork for the genre.

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An American Family: The First Reality Soap Opera

This Chapter examines the impact of "An American Family," a groundbreaking documentary series that aired on PBS in 1973. The show, which followed the lives of the Loud family, including their divorce and the coming out of their son Lance, became a cultural phenomenon and paved the way for the rise of reality soap operas.

00:12:14

Cops: An Existential Variety Show

This Chapter explores the history of "Cops," a long-running reality show that follows police officers on patrol. Nussbaum discusses the show's controversial portrayal of police work and the ethical implications of filming people in vulnerable situations.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the key innovations that Ellen Funt introduced with Candid Microphone that laid the groundwork for reality television?

  Ellen Funt's Candid Microphone introduced several key innovations that laid the groundwork for reality television. These include the use of hidden microphones to capture people's reactions to various situations, often involving pranks or humorous scenarios. The show also pioneered the use of the "reveal," where the subject of the prank is informed that they were being filmed, adding a layer of meta-commentary to the experience. These innovations helped to establish the core elements of reality television, including the use of unscripted situations, the focus on ordinary people, and the element of surprise.

• How did "An American Family" change the landscape of reality television?

  "An American Family" was a groundbreaking documentary series that aired on PBS in 1973. The show followed the lives of the Loud family, a seemingly typical American family living in Santa Barbara, California. The series became a cultural phenomenon, as it documented the family's struggles with divorce, the coming out of their son Lance, and other personal challenges. It is considered to be one of the first reality soap operas and a significant turning point in the history of reality television. "An American Family" introduced the idea of ordinary people becoming celebrities for being themselves, paving the way for the rise of reality television as a dominant force in television programming.

• What are some of the ethical concerns surrounding the filming of "Cops"?

  The filming of "Cops" has raised several ethical concerns. Critics have argued that the show perpetuates negative stereotypes about law enforcement and minorities, while supporters have argued that it provides a realistic glimpse into the challenges faced by police officers. However, the show's focus on capturing dramatic and often confrontational situations raises questions about the consent of the individuals being filmed, particularly those who are in vulnerable positions. The show's producers have argued that they obtain consent from all individuals who appear on the show, but critics have questioned the validity of this consent, given the power dynamics involved in the filming process.

• How has the rise of social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube influenced the development of reality television?

  The rise of social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube has had a significant impact on the development of reality television. These platforms have democratized the creation and distribution of video content, allowing anyone to become a content creator and share their experiences with a global audience. This has led to the emergence of new forms of reality television, where users create their own content, often featuring pranks, challenges, and other unscripted situations. The popularity of these platforms has also led to a shift in the way reality television is consumed, with viewers increasingly turning to social media for their entertainment and news.

Show Notes