October 2nd, 2009
But key to the rhetorical strategy of such “reality” programming is to take you beyond surfaces by cultivating a formal literacy and technical proficiency, so you can perform as “critic”/commentator alongside those in the show.
(Matthew Ferrari, Pow! Ooomph! Skadoosh!: Combat Aesthetics and Intermediality*, FlowTV)
He's writing specifically about Mixed Martial Arts, but he might as well be talking about professional wrestling -- or, perhaps, television sports in general? And what about judged reality TV competitions, like So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol and Project Runway**? Or for that matter, The Hills....
* No, I don't know what 'intermediality' means, and couldn't work it out from context in the essay.
** I've been casually watching Project Runway and I have to confess, I have yet to absorb the "formal literacy and technical proficiency" stuff. At least, I usually have trouble distinguishing the best dresses from the worst ones. I often feel like a bad student -- sorry, Heidi Klum! Don't give up on disciplining my taste!
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chasethestars
chasethestars