Monday, February 25, 2008
Let's Go On With the (TV) Show
WSJ.com: "Next month, a new reality show called 'I'd Do Anything' will begin airing in the United Kingdom on BBC. It's not a 'Fear Factor'-style competition for thrill-seekers. It's a talent contest staged by mega-producers Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh for a chance to play the leads in their coming West End revival of 'Oliver!'"
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5 comments:
Huh. This poses a very interesting idea in the integration of theater and reality shows. When the show for Grease came out many were appalled that it was ruining the integrity of theater. Webber isn't looking at it like that. He is moving forward with the future, accepting how society is progressing, and making the best out of it. I certainly would not think that Webber would resort to TV reality shows for cast and untrained actors. After reading this article I feel like a 90 year old who yells "You damn kids with your computers!"
I feel like this could be good or bad. It's good that people who don't have a theatre background and haven't been trained get their fair chance to be on stage however this is somewhat silly. Reality TV should not actually end and give someone something. Reality TV is stupid and it's primary goal is to stir up as much drama as possible to get the highest ratings. They also use tricky editing that makes things look completely different from what actually happened. That means that the show may not show an accurate representation of the people on the show.
What fascinates me is that the reality shows in the US aren't very well received compared to the ones in the UK. While the professional performers are the ones realy hurting the most, it sounds like the general public is very receptive. I personally have a huge distaste for reality television, but their might be something with the UK shows that are different than the US ones. It sounds like this is an excellent way to get the word out and encourage everyone to see West End Shows, but it sounds to me that there are fewer and fewer new shows coming out with the increased demand for revivals.
I don't have too much passion for this matter but I, like many, find it interesting that this concept fairs better in the UK than in the US. However, to me, this says that the general population in the UK is probably more interested and more familiar with theater, so they would actually care to watch a reality show relating to it. One thing that I find amusing is when they stated that "before the musical opened, producers had already sold $14 million in tickets. But sales have slowed since the August opening". The reality is that all these tv shows do for theater is increase initial excitement and motivation to see the show RIGHT AWAY! One reason things slow down is because all the people that would usually mosey in later on were on the edge of their seats opening night. All ticket sales will end eventually.
No theater based reality show will do well in the US because there is not a single demographic that finds it appealing. Potential viewers will either be theater enthusiasts who are distraught at the thought of a show becoming a sell-out to popular opinion, or reality television watchers who are not cultured enough to find a theater theme entertaining. This is a concept that will only work in Britain.
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