reality show
Competitive viewing entertainment
A reality show is a television program featuring unscripted situations with real people rather than actors performing written dialogue.
The genre ranges from competition shows and dating programs to documentaries following daily life.
Despite the name, reality shows are heavily edited and often manipulated for drama: I can't believe you watch those reality shows.
Not pre-written
- producerOne who makes things
- confessionalBooth for admitting sins
- footageRecorded video material
- editModify written material
pickup · B-roll · storyline · casting · format · host · voiceover · fourth wall
Competition participants
- eliminationAct of removing entirely
- challengeTest of ability
- winnerOne who prevails
- loserDefeated competitor
judges · audition · prize · finale · immunity · alliance · voting · tribal council
Systematic observation of subjects
- confessional boothEnclosed space for religious disclosure
- hidden cameraConcealed recording device
- live feedReal-time video transmission
- 24/7Continuously without pause
fishbowl · housemates · observation · Big Brother · eavesdropping · unfiltered · raw · candid
Evaluative scores assigned
- primetimeTelevision's highest-viewership period
- networkInterconnected system
- episodeSerialized content unit
- seasonYearly division or series
streaming · binge-watch · premiere · finale · syndication · cable · recap · spoiler
Opposition between parties
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
meltdown · villain · alliance · confessional · blindside · showmance · crying · blowup
Widely known, much recognized
- influencerPerson with promotional reach
- KardashianReality TV surname
- endorsementFormal expression of support
- tabloidSensationalist newspaper format
paparazzi · red carpet · comeback · has-been · D-list · cameo · brand deal · fame
unscripted
Not pre-written
- producerOne who makes things
- confessionalBooth for admitting sins
- footageRecorded video material
edit · pickup · B-roll · storyline · casting · format · host · voiceover · fourth wall · green screen
contestants
Competition participants
- eliminationAct of removing entirely
- challengeTest of ability
- winnerOne who prevails
loser · judges · audition · prize · finale · immunity · alliance · voting · tribal council · rose ceremony
surveillance
Systematic observation of subjects
- confessional boothEnclosed space for religious disclosure
- hidden cameraConcealed recording device
- live feedReal-time video transmission
24/7 · fishbowl · housemates · observation · Big Brother · eavesdropping · unfiltered · raw · candid · exposure
ratings
Evaluative scores assigned
- primetimeTelevision's highest-viewership period
- networkInterconnected system
- episodeSerialized content unit
season · streaming · binge-watch · premiere · finale · syndication · cable · recap · spoiler · reunion special
conflict
Opposition between parties
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
confrontation · meltdown · villain · alliance · confessional · blindside · showmance · crying · blowup · reunion
famous
Widely known, much recognized
- influencerPerson with promotional reach
- KardashianReality TV surname
- endorsementFormal expression of support
tabloid · paparazzi · red carpet · comeback · has-been · D-list · cameo · brand deal · fame · scandal
- TV showsTV shows, sitcom, The Office, cartoon, Modern Family
- broadcaststelecast, newscast, news broadcast, live broadcast, simulcast
- TV programmingprimetime, talk shows, game shows, prime time, sitcoms
- televisionTV, television, broadcast, TV shows, TV series
- productionsfilm, movie, series, documentary, video
- showssitcom, miniseries, series, serial, drama series
reality showdrama series
Ongoing fictional television program
sitcom · soap opera · prestige drama · miniseries · period drama
reality showfiction
Imagined narrative work
fictional narrative · fantasy · science fiction · make-believe · fairy tale
reality showart film
Cinema prioritizing aesthetics
arthouse cinema · literary adaptation · documentary · The Wire · art house cinema
show, real, really, reality, unreal, surreal, unreality, surrealism, realness