Lessons from a reality TV show

A recent TV reality show has triggered a huge controversy by telecasting live the entire process of birth. Viewers who liked the program feel it exhibited maternal love while those opposed to it say it was in bad taste, says an article in Xinhua Daily Telegraph. Excerpts:

Irrespective of whether we praise or criticize the reality show, it is considered a success because it has been covered by almost all media outlets. The more media coverage a TV program gets, the more successful it is considered. This is a typical phenomenon of China's television industry.

But its seeming success hides a serious lack of self-innovation on the part of its makers. Speculators have always copied the patterns of overseas programs and even some successful domestic knock-off shows to get higher ratings and profits. Inevitably, this leads to quick market saturation and loss of audience.

Besides, there is nothing innovative about the reality show, even though it has drawn a huge audience. The show has grabbed the public's attention because of its unusual theme, which is different from other reality shows that normally feature sweet and warm or inspirational subjects.

Most overseas reality shows eventually end up trying to survive (and succeed) in the fiercely competitive market and thus come up with innovative ideas. But whether this trend should be replicated in China remains questionable because precautions need to be taken to ensure that the themes are not in poor taste or vulgar.

Apart from learning from foreign countries how to define vulgarity, Chinese TV program makers should become more innovative and choose themes that suit the cultural aptitude and aesthetic taste of the Chinese people.

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