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katmystery 's review for:
Cue the Sun!: The Invention of Reality TV
by Emily Nussbaum
challenging
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
As shocking and addictive as reality TV itself. Nussbaum tells the tale of how the genre emerged and changed overtime, for better and for worse, from Candid Camera to Survivor and The Bachelor. It ended on a sordid note- The Apprentice- but, for the most part, was a mix of morbidly fascinating explorations of toxic, cult-like show environments and a celebration of the cheerfully tacky corners of the genre. I especially enjoyed the two chapters about the creation of and first season of Survivor, my favorite reality show, and the section about Queer Eye- a rare positive social force in the genre.
The book operates as social commentary as well, mentioning many pieces of media arguing that reality TV has great potential for immorality and even evil. I wonder if Nussbaum has considered dystopian fiction that explores macabre fictional examples of reality TV as a critique of the genre, like The Hunger Games and Chain-Gang All-Stars, vs fiction that- perhaps accidentally- romanticizes reality TV.
My mind is buzzing with ideas after reading this! Maybe I'll write an essay. I came into this book already knowing a lot about the consequences and moral implications of reality TV, but I've learned so much more. I feel like I just read a deep examination of a cult and am now viewing the world with a whole new perspective.
No matter where you lie on the spectrum of loving to hating reality TV, I can't recommend this book enough! Note: the audiobook is very well-done, if you're a fan of audio.
The book operates as social commentary as well, mentioning many pieces of media arguing that reality TV has great potential for immorality and even evil. I wonder if Nussbaum has considered dystopian fiction that explores macabre fictional examples of reality TV as a critique of the genre, like The Hunger Games and Chain-Gang All-Stars, vs fiction that- perhaps accidentally- romanticizes reality TV.
My mind is buzzing with ideas after reading this! Maybe I'll write an essay. I came into this book already knowing a lot about the consequences and moral implications of reality TV, but I've learned so much more. I feel like I just read a deep examination of a cult and am now viewing the world with a whole new perspective.
No matter where you lie on the spectrum of loving to hating reality TV, I can't recommend this book enough! Note: the audiobook is very well-done, if you're a fan of audio.