Consuming Reality The Commercialization of Factual Entertainment

by Deery, June

• ISBN13: 9780230379961
• ISBN10: 0230379966
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-05-15
• Publisher: Palgrave-Macmillan

Summary

Consuming Realityexamines TV's response to the increasing pressure to brand content in a post-advertising era. June Deery's comprehensive analysis of the commercial practices found in popular reality programming reveals links to larger trends such as the sentimental dissemination of capitalist and nationalist ideologies, the professionalization of social relationships (including conceptions of self), and the mainstreaming of PR techniques in everyday life. Examining topics such as reality formats as pseudo-events, product placement, donorship, TV-web branding, making over homes/bodies as properties, consumer identity and pathology, Disney, and the American Dream, this book engages in a comprehensive examination of RTV's advertising and promotional strategies, as well as the commodification of viewers, of TV participants, of ideologies, dreams, and ideas.

Author Biography

June Deery is an associate professor of media and literature studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and has written a number of essays on reality television.

Table of Contents

"Consuming Reality is an outstanding book: a penetrating study of reality television and the cultural narratives it propagates. Deery carefully identifies the sundry ways in which reality television manipulates ideas of participation such that consumer-based narratives replace other forms of membership. The book is extremely convincing, owing both to the wide variety of shows discussed and the vast research supporting the discussion. I know of no other book in the area so broad in its scope, astute in its details, and compelling in the unity of its argument. It is an important addition to the field of television and media studies." - Alan Nadel, William T. Bryan Chair in American Literature and Culture, University of Kentucky faculty of the Futures of American Studies Institute at Dartmouth, and author of Containment Culture and Television in Black-and-White America 

"Consuming Reality is a smart analysis of reality television's commercialism, from product placements to caring capitalism to conspicuous consumption. With great insight and skill, Deery connects the reality TV trend to the 'realities' of sponsored, branded and mediated life. A must-read for students and scholars of television, media, and consumer culture." - Laurie Ouellette, associate professor of Communication Studies, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and co-editor of Reality TV: Remaking Television Culture