So, you apply for a reality show- whether to win the $500,000, to find your husband or to get a make-over- you tape the show, win or lose, then go back to Minnesota or Colorado or Texas or whatever other state is called home and live life... right?
Not so much now-a-days.
Seems to me that more reality celebrities are using these TV shows as 8 weeks to show off
their fiesty personality, in hopes of being "discovered" for further Hollywood opportunities or even better- get picked up for a spin off.
Take "Laguna Beach" for example- filmed about a group of high school students who lived in a small Southern California town. After running for 3 seasons, and seeing the extreme progress in "acting" skills from reality to semi-scripted or "outlined", Lauren Conrad was picked up for the spin-of
f "The Hills", which followed her journey to LA to pursue a career in fashion, along with fellow Laguna friend Hiedi Montag. Lo Bosworth eventually made her way to "The Hills" also and now writes a fashion blog, and Stephen is acting on the CW show "One T
Along the way, Lauren's internship buddy got picked up for her own show, "The City", which followed her journey to New York to pursue fashion design, and so the web continues to weave the new breed of celebirities- made for how often they're seen dining at the Beverley Hills Polo Lounge or how many people follow the on Twitter, rather then their acting ability
or even their break into show business at all.
More of them film and then find a place in LA to "nest" until they make enough public appearances to get another gig... or at least ride out the wave of "fans" as long as the show is aired and promoted.
Makes me wonder if Twitter is new publicist for these reality stars, who usually go on to compete in other shows such as Dancing With the Stars or create their own websites and blogs, etc... and lay out their daily deeds on these websites, also promoting many "causes" and such- got to pay for that LA efficiency some how, right?
I know that all sounded very "soap box-ish" but I'm not really "hatin'", just making an observation- because I definitely follow the Twitter lives of the entire ABC's Bachelor/Bachelorette crew. Appealing. Just saying.
You presented the shows and told the history of the shows in a very good light. I would not say it is a "soap box-ish" but merely giving the history of how people have come from TV shows to more publicity or even a well-known actress. It is really interesting how social media really does play a huge part in the world today. So many people's voices can be heard at once. Personally, I do not have the time to follow that many people on Twitter, but it does make your "everyday" person feel like they really know a celebrity if you can follow a celebrity on Twitter or even tweet them as well.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this post Hope! I, myself, never got hooked into Laguna Beach, The Hills, or even The City, but I will say that The Bachelor/ette has suckered me in from day one. I, too, follow them on twitter, especially Trista and Ryan, I love their little made from TV family. Too adorable. I completely agree with everything you said in your post. Twitter and blogs have been like a new form of publicity and the stars themselves are the publicists. I probably wouldn't have youtubed Jake Palvelka's performances on Dancing With Stars if he wasn't the most adorable Bachelor ( in the end he went a bit mad but still lol). Twitter brings you closer to the stars, or the reality stars, in this case, and it is intriguing to fans.
ReplyDeleteI love this post mostly because I love all the "reality" shows you mentioned in this post. Reality has been blurred steadily since the production of these shows because many are convinced we watch real life on television. Celebrities are in arms reach when we follow them on twitter and keep updated on their activities, therefore we get connected through their weekly episodes and relate our lives to these characters. Great post!
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