Critical Investigation - 1st draft

How are representations constructed in reality T.V shows like ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’?

Reality T.V covers a variety of different types of genres, and can be covered in different ways. Reality T.V has mass appeal[1] and it is a genre where real people’s lives are being filmed, and they are presented in a natural manner, as no script is produced, and audiences have been proven to believe this as 75% of those surveyed believe that reality T.V is “mostly real and unscripted”[2] implying it is all real, it is all done to entertain a bunch of people. Reality T.V has become a success due to the ‘increasing voyeuristic nature of the society’[3] in which we live and in part due to the obsession with celebrity and everyone wanting to be one. ‘Reality T.V has been emerging onto the market with the speedy growth’[4], and it holds a firm ground of being one of the most popular genres in today’s world. This is because it has become to first and foremost due to the fact that it generates a lot of money. ‘The income has been generated through various different types of shows’[5] and the mass audience of reality T.V are people who enjoy listening to gossip and peeking into the lives of others.

Reality television appears to have taken over our TV schedules. From the monstrous Big Brother the genre spawned many hybrids and sub-genres. There are many serious documentaries on BBC4 and Channel 4 such as “Wife Swap”, most of the nation seems to choose the ‘reality’ option. ‘The Dutch company behind Big Brother is announcing record profits and moving into ever more controversial programming’[6]. There are family orientated shows on E! Like “Keeping Up With The Kardashian” which reveals the day to day lifestyle of 5 sisters and their parents and brother. The societal growth and generation have high demands for new inventions, topics of discussion as well as environmental factors. ‘Reality T.V is one of the most watched T.V as of the involvement of several different people, according to the statistical ratings’. [7] This shows that it is very popular and on demand. Furthermore, as the audience we see the effort the Kardashians have put in to become successful. As the 3 sisters Kim, Khloe and Kourtney, deal with different types of situations at their store. Also, as Kim Kardashian has expressed herself of how she feels when she isn’t working as: “I feel lazy when I’m not working.” [8] This primarily shows she enjoys her job role.

The reality T.V show Keeping Up With The Kardashians has positive impacts on the audience, as of the accomplishments they’ve got through their career line, how the family’s grown together as one. The positive aspects are shown through the clothing lines they have of: ‘Jenner Collections’[9], ‘Kardashian Kollection’[10].

The journey of their success all began when the Kardashian sisters first opened their first DASH store in ‘Miami on 21^st May 2009’[11]. Khloe Kardashian had said “it was a MAJOR success if I do say so myself”[12] this shows how she felt about it, this evidently becoming a huge success allowed the Kardashian sisters to progress further within this career and it lead to them opening more stores worldwide and merging with other clothing shops such as ‘Dorothy Perkins’[13] and ‘Lipsy’[14].  Kim Kardashian the ‘entrepreneur’[15] said “I was involved in everything from the scent to the bottles”[16] this was her talking about the launch of her two perfumes “true reflection” and “Glam” this allowed her to have a direct correlation with the audience. Katz and Bumblers theory of Uses of Gratifications links in with ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’, of ‘Diversion, Personal Relationship, Personal Identity and Surveillance’[17].   Escapism links in with the show, through the power it holds of helping you to forget about the stresses of the day when you can see the Kardashians having a much worse day than you have had. The performance held through the identification with actors such as Kim, Khloe or Kourtney, with sociability and their attitudes and behaviour could allow the audience to make direct relations. There could be relations made of personal identity as audiences may relate to some attitudes the actors hold, or comparisons could be held between them as an audience and the actors.

Furthermore, when the new store Kardashian Kaos store was opening in Las Vegas, the family had an opening ceremony. There was a point of view shot from Kim’s perspective when they’re opening one of their new stores, which allows the audience to see what Kim is seeing[18], and how she must be feeling seeing a large audience. The camera then pans on and shows the audience, there are several pictures been taken of the family together, which connotes happiness and success for them. This shows how successful the Kardashians are, and their relationship still remains strong, as they are able to open the store as a happy family together. Also, the promotion of clothing they’re doing, as they’re wearing it would encourage the audience to purchase it, to be just like them.

‘Reality T.V has faced significant criticism since its rise in popularity’[19]. There is a lot of negativity about the Kardashians.  The media demonises, the youth and has left an imprint on today’s society. The young adults look up to celebrities and idolising them, as they are so irresistible[20], due to them being lead such different lives[21], and having the ability to buy whatever they want[22], alongside the glamorous life they live[23]. Audiences see them as “rich, glamorous, posh and chic” these are all stereotypes of celebrities.

The media reports stories to do with celebrities on a regular basis, in order to keep audiences informed on what is happening with their lives. The media reporters do this through all platforms of broadcasting through radio, through the use of e-media of the internet, and print it onto newspapers and magazines. All 3 platforms of: broadcasting, e-media and print were all covered through the event of Kim’s sex tape. There are articles saying “Kim Kardashian achieved her peak of fame after she made a sex tape with R&B singer Ray J that magically got off of a camera, onto a computer, and published to the internet without either of them realizing.”[24] This caused moral panic, which Stanley Cohen said it was the thought of having to worry about ‘values and thoughts of the society’[25]. This would've raised public perception of the possible ‘threat to societal values and interests’[26]. In this case as the media exaggerated the story of Kim’s sex tape, and it being leaked publically, which lead to the public becoming scared, because of the actions Kim had took, which was different perspective of hers, which her fan base wouldn't have imaged. This meant young adults stopped looking at Kim in an idolised manner, which meant they stopped watching the show. 

Furthermore, when Kim decided to do playboy, she created negative representations of herself and reduced her fan base. The episode when Kim done playboy she wore red, which represents her to be devil-like, daring and lovable. Furthermore, this could be interpreted sexually, as of her body language and gesture. The encouraging dialogue the photographer uses of “very nice” and “that’s good”[27] initially suggests she’s doing a good job, and would led to her doing more with the motivation she’s receiving.  This shoot led to Kim’s fan base assuming she is all sexual.

Furthermore, the front cover of Zoo magazine, 26 May edition[28], sexualises Kim Kardashian; the readers are drawn in through the expensive rich lingerie she is wearing of red and black, which are elegant colours. The colours speak for themselves, and there are two headings which say “HOT 101 WINNER” Kim is being referred as the “hottest woman in the world”. The use of ranking, rating and judging a women on their appearance, automatically objectifies and degrades women’s standings[29]. Women are used for male sexual pleasure; this puts the female value down, and implies they have no standing, as men are always controlling women.

This initially goes against what the Kardashians believe, they believe they’ve become where they are due to the management skills of “mom” Kris Jenner[30]. Kim Kardashian has been said as if “she acts as if she's a role model for young girls dealing with body issues, when she has a model's body.”[31] The negativity produced by the reporters about Kim is horrendous; articles are manipulating Kim, against her audience. Furthermore, there is an article upon how Kim Kardashian has become a threat to western civilisation, giving her another bad name in society. As the head of a girl’s private school won praise for her attack on the west’s obsession with celebrity.[32]

The executive producer of the series, Ryan Seacrest, said that rooting from the background of the family, the series will show a family that "truly loves and supports one another"[33]. This could suggest it will all be planned out, and putting on an act of a loving family just to show their audience, the dream world they want to live for. The family has become successful Hollywood entertainers through the dynamics and building up of the family as one. Keeping up with the Kardashians isn’t scripted[34] at all, but isn’t a real life representation[35] either. As the family is aware of the success they’ve been making and how they’ve been entertaining people worldwide. On April 2012, a new 3 year deal was signed with the Kardashian family, for continuing the series until 2015. This shows how successful they’ve become, as they were able to sign a contract deal for 3 years beforehand, it shows the progress they’ve been able to make, since they first started the family business on E! In the year 2007[36]

It is said that “Art today has totally penetrated reality” by Baudrillard[37], which suggests that the boundary between popular culture and reality has completely gone. This is because they have broken into the universal simulacrum, into four steps which are: “it is the reflection of a basic reality, it masks and perverts a basic reality, it marks the absence of a basic reality and it bears no relation to any reality whatever” this has led to differences being held between ‘real life’ and the media representations being erased.  Hyper-reality, breeds with each other without reference to reality or meaning[38]. Furthermore, in terms of postmodernism, the characters in reality T.V aren’t real; they’re not facing real life situations, as it is all planned out this is shown through the series of Big Brother, when Jason came out, he was interviewed by Closer magazine. In which he argued that we weren’t seeing the real Jason[39], it was all a manipulative version, implying everyone was putting on an act. This suggests reality T.V is a sense of putting on a mask and becoming someone you’re not, just to entertain others. Furthermore, it could be said through reality T.V dependant on what type of show it is, a fly-on-the-wall or documentary, you could act differently. It could be argued that people generally in everyday life act differently around different people, so depending on who you are with you act in a different way, so they are themselves, but may not come across as if they are.

Media representations of gender has a big impact on society, as they enter the collective social conscience and reinforce culturally hegemonic views based upon gender[40], which represent males as dominant and stereotype them as being masculine and female’s lower and holding stereotypes of having limited forms of behaviour. Kim Kardashian is dominating within the series, as she always gets her way around everyone, which goes against the media representation and stereotyping of women. Furthermore, feminism started in 1960’s, which consisted of free love which helped escape the sexual double standards which were set, divorce had become a commonplace, and women were known to be “happy housewives”. This links makes straight links with Kim Kardashian due to her having had several divorces, and the programme goes against it as Kim has her own career of the clothing line so she isn’t a typical happy housewife. Moreover, liberal feminism have direct relation to the reality T.V show ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ as they believe all people are created equally and shouldn’t be denied equality of opportunity because of their gender. The females all work within the Kardashian family, not only the men. However, Marxist feminism argues that females give birth and males must provide for their families. The Kardashians don’t fit into this that well as, Kourtney Kardashian gave birth to Mason, and Scott didn’t have a job to provide for Mason, and a lot of hassle and chaos was caused throughout this series. 

Many Reality T.V shows include voice-overs so the audience is aware of what is happening if they don’t fully understand through the actions, movement or speech. Big Brother includes many voiceovers, in a form of ‘narration’[41], to tell the housemates what tasks they have to do, or even to call someone to the diary room. However, Keeping up with the Kardashian doesn’t include any type of voice-overs or music, which makes it more realistic as a fly-on-the-wall documentary about their lifestyles. However, there are various different angles in Keeping Up With The Kardashians, which keep the audience intrigued, and directly penetrate into the viewer’s minds, which covers the theory of the hypodermic needle, as it remains injected into their heads.

Historically, ‘An America Family’ is similar to ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ this was an American television documentary which was filmed from May 30^th through December 31, 1971 and ‘first aired in 1973’[42]. The series started off with an establishing shot of the building of where the actors lived[43], which is how ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ starts off. Both shows are family shows and are about the family lifestyle on a day to day basis.

In conclusion, there are different representations of each family member, which are reinforced by stereotypes as the hegemonic control. There are many positive such as the success they’ve got, and it is shown through the lifestyle their living. However, the negatives overtake the positives as there are many stories which have led to the Kardashians having this lifestyle, this is shown through all 3 media platforms of print, broadcast and e-media as the media have been setting these accusations and creating assumptions of stories, just to dumb down the society. Furthermore, a study shows that girls who regularly watch T.V accepted and expected[44] this is usually causes a higher level of drama, aggression and bullying within their own lives, they also sometimes may become stressed or depressed, which could lead to them failing in their studies.

WORDS: 2542 (Including QUOTES)

---

[1] Hill, A. (2005) PG 2

[2] http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20111103/news/711039954/

[3] http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/RealityTV.html

[4] Reality TV Statistics - http://www.jobmonkey.com/realitytv/reality-tv-statistics.html (Internet)

[5] Ask Jeeves (Internet) http://uk.ask.com/question/why-is-reality-tv-so-popular

[6]http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/mm22_reality.html

[7] Ibid (Ask Jeeves) http://uk.ask.com/question/why-is-reality-tv-so-popular

[8] Nixon, C. (2011) (Kindle edition)  

[9] http://kendallandkylie.celebuzz.com/

[10] http://www.lipsy.co.uk/Kardashians/lookbook

[11] http://khloekardashian.celebuzz.com/the_opening_of_dash_miami_woohooo-05-2009

[12] Ibid^

[13] http://www.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/category/kardashian-kollection-203516/home?geoip=noredirect

[14] Ibid http://www.lipsy.co.uk/kardashians/lookbook

[15] Leblane, R. (2010). P.1.

[16] Nixon, C. (2011) (Kindle edition) 

[17] http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/RealityTV.html

[18] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abShr_KG6Cs

[19] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_television

[20] http://www.deborahkingcenter.com/resources/celebrities/

[21] Ibid ^

[22] Ibid ^

[23] Ibid ^

[24] http://www.change.org/petitions/e-entertainment-keeping-up-with-the-kardashians-kim-kardashian-cancel-the-kardashian-media-franchise

[25] http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Students/hrb9701.html

[26] Ibid ^

[27] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC-XCpvV_V8

[28] http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jun/22/zoo-kim-kardashian-cover-wrong

[29] http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jun/22/zoo-kim-kardashian-cover-wrong

[30] http://personalexcellence.co/blog/kardashians/

[31] http://www.change.org/petitions/e-entertainment-keeping-up-with-the-kardashians-kim-kardashian-cancel-the-kardashian-media-franchise

[32] http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/23/kim-kardashian-threat-western-civilisation

[33] http://list25.com/25-reality-tv-shows-that-are-far-from-reality/

[34] Ibid ^

[35] Ibid ^

[36] http://www.people.com/people/kim_kardashian/biography/0,,20185121,00.html

[37] http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/RealityTV.html

[38] Ibid ^

[39] Ibid ^

[40] http://revisionworld.co.uk/a2-level-level-revision/sociology/mass-media-0/media-representations-age-social-class-ethnicity-gender-sexuality-and-disability

[41] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Bentley

[42] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_American_Family

[43] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaUWsE0EBp4

[44] http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20111103/news/711039954/

Works Cited

Internet:

1. "7 Lessons We Can Learn from The Kardashians on Life and Success (Yes, Indeed)." Personal Excellence. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://personalexcellence.co/blog/kardashians/>.
2. "An American Family." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Dec. 2013. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_American_Family>.
3. "Change petitions." Changepetitions-e. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.change.org/petitions/e-entertainment-keeping-up-with-the-kardashians-kim-kardashian-cancel-the-kardashian-media-franchise>.
4. "Kardashian Kollection." dorothyperkins.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/category/kardashian-kollection-203516/home?geoip=noredirect>.
5. "Kendall Jenner & Kylie Jenner  - Official website: Photos, Videos, News & Gossip." Kendall Jenner  Kylie Jenner   Official website Photos Videos News  Gossip RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://kendallandkylie.celebuzz.com/>.
6. "Kim Kardashian." PEOPLE.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.people.com/people/kim_kardashian/biography/0,,20185121,00.html>.
7. "List25." List25. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://list25.com/25-reality-tv-shows-that-are-far-from-reality/>.
8. "Marcus Bentley." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 1 Mar. 2014. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Bentley>.
9. "Media representations of age, social class, ethnicity, gender, sexuality and disability." Revision World. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2014. <http://revisionworld.co.uk/a2-level-level-revision/sociology/mass-media-0/media-representations-age-social-class-ethnicity-gender-sexuality-and-disability>.
10. "Reality TV Statistics." and Television Ratings. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.jobmonkey.com/realitytv/reality-tv-statistics.html>.
11. "Reality television." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 1 Mar. 2014. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_television>.
12. "Reality television." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 1 Mar. 2014. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_television>.
13. "The Opening of Dash Miami!  Woohooo - Khloe Kardashian official web site." Khloe Kardashian official web site  The Opening of Dash Miami  Woohooo Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://khloekardashian.celebuzz.com/the_opening_of_dash_miami_woohooo-05-2009>.
14. "What are 'moral panics'?." What are moral panics?. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Students/hrb9701.html>.
15. "Why All The Fuss About Celebrities?." Celebrity Addiction. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.deborahkingcenter.com/resources/celebrities/>.
16. "Why Is Reality TV so Popular?." Why Is Reality TV so Popular. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://uk.ask.com/question/why-is-reality-tv-so-popular>.
17. "kklookbook." Kardashian Kollection for Lipsy. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.lipsy.co.uk/Kardashians/lookbook>.

Newspapers/Magazines:

1. "Study says girls affected by reality TV." Daily Herald. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Jan. 2014. <http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20111103/news/711039954/>.
2. Wright, Helen. "Why Zoo's Kim Kardashian cover is wrong." theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media, 22 June 2012. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jun/22/zoo-kim-kardashian-cover-wrong>.
3. McVeigh, Tracy. "Kim Kardashian:  how did she become such a threat to western civilisation?." The Observer. Guardian News and Media, 24 June 2012. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/23/kim-kardashian-threat-western-civilisation>.
4. http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/RealityTV.html
5. http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/mm22_reality.html

Books:

1. Charlotte Nixon - Kim Kardashian: In Her Own Words [Kindle Edition]
2. Cowlin, Chris. The reality television quiz book 1000 questions on reality TV shows. Luton: Andrews UK Ltd., 2010. Print.
3. Hill, Annette. Reality TV audiences and popular factual television. London: Routledge, 2005. Print.
4. Leblane, Rikki. <i>The Kim Kardashian Handbook - Everything you need to know about Kim Kardashian</i>. Dayboro: Emereo Publishing, 2012. Print.

Moving image text

1. "An American Family, episode 12." YouTube. YouTube, 26 May 2013. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaUWsE0EBp4>.
2. "Kardashian Kaos, opening of Kardashian store in Las Vegas, Nv." YouTube. YouTube, 16 Dec. 2011. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abShr_KG6Cs>.
3. "Kim Kardashian Wants To 'Pose For Playboy Or Some Nude Shoot'." YouTube. YouTube, 4 Sept. 2013. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC-XCpvV_V8>.

Works Consulted

Books

1. "15 Minutes: Kim Kardashian [Kindle Edition]." 15 Minutes: Kim Kardashian eBook: Marc Shapiro, Noval Hernawan: Amazon.co.uk: Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.amazon.co.uk/15-Minutes-Kardashian-Marc-Shapiro-ebook/dp/B00EYIBBR0/ref=sr_1_39?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385846618&sr=1-39&keywords=kim+kardashian>.
2. "Making Reality TV a Reality: Tips and Tricks to Getting on Your Favorite Reality TV and Game Show! [Paperback]." Making Reality TV a Reality: Tips and Tricks to Getting on Your Favorite Reality TV and Game Show!: Amazon.co.uk: Sandra Burkhardt, Tom Burkhardt: Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Reality-TV-Getting-Favorite/dp/144214906X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385846422&sr=1-2&keywords=reality+tv+show+keeping+up+with+the+kardashians>.
3. "The Reality Television Quiz Book: 1,000 Questions on Reality TV Shows [Hardcover]." The Reality Television Quiz Book: 1,000 Questions on Reality TV Shows: Amazon.co.uk: Christopher Biggins, Chris Cowlin: Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reality-Television-Quiz-Book-Questions/dp/1906358729/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385846217&sr=1-1&keywords=reality+tv+show>.
4. Kardashian, Kourtney, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, and Nick Saglimbeni. Kardashian konfidential. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2010. Print.
5. "Keeping It Real: Black Women & Reality TV | The Crunk Feminist Collective
6. Mattern, Joanne. Kim Kardashian: reality TV star. Minneapolis, Minn.: ABDO Pub. Co., 2012. Print.
7. Ryan, Kathleen M.. Television and the self knowledge, identity, and media representation. Lanham: Lexington Books, 2013. Print.

Newspapers/Magazine:

1. http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/mm22_reality.html
2. PETERS,  JEREMY W. . "Reality TV’s Instant Stars Populate a Magazine." NYTimes [New York] 13 Nov. 2011: 1. Print.

Internet:

1. "Celebrity Endorsements in Non-Traditional Advertising: How the FTC Regulations Fail to Keep Up with the Kardashians." by Leah W. Feinman. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1987222>.
2. ." The Crunk Feminist Collective. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.crunkfeministcollective.com/2010/12/16/keeping-it-real-black-women-reality-tv/>.
3. "Power of Influence." JustMyTypeMag. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://justmytype.ca/womens-portrayal-in-the-media-and-your-role-in-it/>.
4. "Deconstructing Reality." ATOM Victoria. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://www.atomvic.org/deconstructing-reality/>.
5. "Hollywood Life by Bonnie Fuller." Hollywood Life. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://hollywoodlife.com/2013/10/31/kim-kardashian-crying-kuwtk-kanye-west/>.
6. "Hollywood Life by Bonnie Fuller." Hollywood Life. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://hollywoodlife.com/2013/11/03/khloe-kardashian-swaps-wedding-ring-lamar-odom-divorce/>.
7. "Kardashians   - Hollywood Life." Hollywood Life. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://hollywoodlife.com/topics/kardashians/>.
8. "Keeping up with the Kardashians | E! Online." E! Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://uk.eonline.com/shows/kardashians>.
9. "Kendall Jenner turns 18: 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' star's sexiest model photos." - Zap2it. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2013/11/kendall-jenner-turns-18-keeping-up-with-the-kardashians-stars-sexiest-model-photos.html>.
10. "Quotes about reality TV shows negative impact on youth?." Yahoo! Answers. Yahoo!, n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014. <http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110223082553AAB15ks>.

An american family

                                                       

An American Family is an American television documentary filmed from May 30 through December 31, 1971 and first aired in the United States on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in early 1973. After being edited down from about 300 hours of raw footage, the series ran one season of 12 episodes on Thursday nights at 9:00 p.m.

Originally intended as a chronicle of the daily life of the Louds — an upper-middle-class family in Santa Barbara, California — the groundbreaking program documented the break-up of the family via the separation and subsequent divorce of parents Bill and Pat Loud.The documentary inspired spoofs such as the Albert Brooks feature film Real Life (1979).

A year after this programme was broadcast, the BBC in 1974 filmed its own similar 12-episode programme, called The Family, focusing on the working-class Wilkins family, of Reading, Berkshire, England. An American television documentary links in with my critical investigation. It was first aired in 1973. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaUWsE0EBp4

The clip first starts of with an establishing shot of the building which is pretty similar to KUWTK. There is some background noises whilst the establishing shot of the building arrives and it zooms out, which is what KUWTK do as well. As the lady comes up the stairs and her speech is, "I have a present for you" we wonder who she is talking too. This leaves the audience in enigma. Then we hear and see a woman and she says in shock "for me" which initially means it was a surprise present. Also, she asks who is it from, the other lady states from your ex husband, initially implying they've broken up. Furthermore, this is a medium shot which allows us to see both the ladies body languages and facial expressions. The lighting is natural lighting from the lights, which gives it the realism affect. Then we hear a noise of something and again are put into enigma, then we see a guy coming and he snatches the piece of paper from the ladies hand and reads out "it says after 20 half years" and they all walk on. There are different types of shots within this, which are similar to some shot now in KUWTK. However, the angles of these aren't very steady, and it seems as if the script is planned as of the way they are talking. 

Essay plan

How are representations constructed in Reality T.V shows like 'Keeping up with the Kardashians'?

Representations:

what are the positive representations: (Audience)

The positive impact on the audience, as of the success the family's going through, such as the clothing lines they have: Jenner Collection, Kardashians Kollection. Furthermore, Kim's perfume "true reflection" and "Glam" this would make the audience look up to them as they've become successful through the hard work they've put in a whole, this is direct correlation with the audiences. This hard work is shown in the episodes. The episodes consist of all 3 sisters (Kim, Khole and Kourtney) are at the store, managing and dividing up the work load, dealing with their staff members, giving out them jobs to do. Moreover, Katz and Bumblers theory of Escapism, would link with this, as the audience would want to be away from their daily lifestyle. Audiences may be able to make contact or relate with the actors lifestyle. 

what are the negative representations:
However, Keeping up with the Kardashians has a negative impact on the audience equally. One of the reasons for this is Kim Kardashians sex tape, which was the main cause of the family being rich, well-known and famous. However, people may argue and say that were already rich before that due to the immense management skills they all require, and they were recognised for their role as entrepreneurs. Another reason is Kris Jenners lavish lifestyle, as she holds control over her husband and tells him what to do. Keeping up with the Kardashians is a series that follows the lives of the Kardashian/Jenner family. The executive producer of the series, Ryan Seacrest, said that rooting from the background of the family, the series will show a family that"truly loves and supports one another" Basically, the dynamics of the family became their key to be Hollywood entertainers. Not scripted at all, but definitely not a real life representation. On April 2012, a new three-year deal was signed with the Kardashian family, for continuing the 
series until 2015.

Analysis of the two clips - positive and negative


Kims sex tape

Representation and stereotyping: The media demonises, the youth and has left an imprint on today's society. The young adults look up to celebrities and are idolising them, and see them as "rich, glamorous, posh and chic" which is an stereotype of celebrities. The media reports stories to do with celebrities on a regular basis to keep the audiences informed of what is happening within their lives, the media reporters do this in many manners, through different platforms of broadcasting such as radio, e-media such as the internet and print such as newspapers and magazines. Events such as kim's sex tape was released through all the media platforms in order to raise awareness about the event. 

Moral panic was caused when the media exaggerated the stories of Kim's sex tape and it was leaked publically, which led to the public being scared. Furthermore, this meant young adults or even adults stopped looking at Kim in an idolised manner, and they didn't look up to her, and it could have lead to them not wanting to view the show any longer. 

Regulation and censorship: There are some restrictions of what young people can watch, as they'll be affected with what they see on T.V because it influences their behaviour and attitudes. 

How Kim got about to do playboy?
What encouraged her to do this, what would the audience think of this? It would lead to her losing out on fans, as she is sexually showing of her body. 

KEY POINT - Almy et al. (1984) argue that media representations of gender are important because they enter the collective social conscience and reinforce culturally dominant (hegemonic) ideas about gender which represent males as dominant and females as subordinate. Sociologists argue that media representations not only stereotype masculinity and femininity into fairly limited forms of behaviour, but also provide gender role models that males and females are encouraged to aspire to.

However, Gauntlett (2008) points out that sociological analysis of media representations needs to be cautious, because of the sheer diversity of media in Britain.

What are the feminism views on reality T.V?

•Feminist Theory is an outgrowth of the general movement to empower women

worldwide.

•Feminism can be defined as a recognition and critique of male supremacy combined with

efforts to change it. 

The history about feminism

The contemporary feminism movement began in the 1960's, free love helped escape the

sexual double standard, divorce became commonplace, women were "happy housewives",

higher level of employment and fulfilment outside the home were becoming the norm.

Liberal feminism

•All people are created equal and should not be denied equality of opportunity because of

gender

•Liberal Feminists focus their efforts on social change through the construction of

legislation and regulation of employment practices

Marxist feminism 

•Division of labor is related to gender role expectations.

•Females give birth. Males left to support family

•Bourgeoisie=Men

•Proletariat=Women

what historical text links in with this: An american family 

what is the genre: Reality T.V
Fly on the wall documentary
Documentary has a high status and regard of representing reality fairly 
Include voice overs, music, mise en scene

Audience theory: 

Hypodermic needle - links in with my case study, as of the content is in shot at, there are various angles which will attract the audience, and will be directly penetrating in the viewers mind. 

Uses and gratifications theory- mostly identification (Audience) 

Summary linking back to my question
Different representation of the family, which are reinforced by stereotypes as the hegemonic control 

Summarise the essay, give two different views and then a final one, it could be argued that the T.V show is giving positive representations, I could include criticisms of reality TV, and how it is dumbing down the society, by including shows such as big brother.

"It’s often claimed that reality TV only appeals to stupid people, and we have to start by saying that that’s just simply not true! Firstly, it’s precisely the experimental nature of it, the fact that it is a mix of the things you like in other shows, a bit of soap opera, a bit of documentary, a bit of a talk show. We’re attracted to that hybrid nature of the genre."

#2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kim-Kardashian-Her-Own-Words-ebook/dp/B00609YF38/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385846045&sr=1-4&keywords=kim+kardashian

Kim Kardashian is an American television personality. Kardashian and her family star in an E! reality series called Keeping up with the Kardashians along with several spin-offs. She has used this stardom to help launch a variety of businesses in the fashion and beauty industry including a boutique clothing chain with her sisters Kourtney Kardashian and Khloé Kardashian Odom called D-A-S-H and a perfume line. 

Charlotte Nixon - Kim Kardashian: In Her Own Words [Kindle Edition]

Cowlin, Chris. The reality television quiz book 1000 questions on reality TV shows. Luton: Andrews

UK Ltd., 2010. Print.

The Kim Kardashian handbook: everything you need to know about Kim Kardashian.. U.S.[Tebbo],

2010. Print.

 15 Minutes: Kim Kardashian. E4. 2006. Television.

Burkhardt, Sandra, and Tom Burkhardt.Making reality TV a reality: tips and tricks to getting on your favorite reality TV or game show. California: Createspace , 2009. Print.

Balkin, Karen. Reality TV. San Diego, Calif.: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Print.

Cashin, John. Keeping up with the Kardashians. Philadelphia, PA: Mason Crest Publishers, 2011. Print.

Edwards, Posy. The Kardashians: a krazy life. London [England: Orion Books, 2011. Print.

Kardashian, Kourtney, and Kim Kardashian. Dollhouse. New York: William Morrow, 2011. Print.

Mattern, Joanne. Kim Kardashian: reality TV star. Minneapolis, Minn.: ABDO Pub. Co., 2012. Print.

http://www.12newsnow.com/story/24018615/exploretalentcom-reports-kim-kardashian-stars-in-kanyes-video-bound-2

Kim Kardashian Stars in Kanye's Video, "Bound 2"

http://www.crunkfeministcollective.com/2010/12/16/keeping-it-real-black-women-reality-tv/

Reality television has been a claim to fame for many black women over the last decade but not in a good way. 

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/23/kim-kardashian-threat-western-civilisation

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20111103/news/711039954/

Reality TV attracts far more female viewers than males, and the shows are profitable for

the networks because they're cheap to produce and draw large, young audiences, says 
Brad Adgate, the senior vice president of research at Horizon Media. Most reality shows —
such as "The Bachelor," "Teen Mom," "Real Houswives" or "Keeping up with the Kardashians"
— are geared to women. MTV's audience is 65 percent female, "The reality shows that
demean women, or

where they're obsessed with beauty, orobsessed with finding a man ... it further
encourages a culture that causes women to self objectify, and for men to see women
as second-class," she said. "We've got to elevate ourselves as a society. Our culture is
celebrating (Kim Kardashian) for a sex tape, and the ambition in her family to exploit
reality TV and our dumbed-down culture for her financial gain ... so frankly, right now, we
need some serious elevation." 

http://justmytype.ca/womens-portrayal-in-the-media-and-your-role-in-it/

Power of influence - Kim Kardashian! The media is beyond powerful.

http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/results.php?search=kardashians

http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/mm22_reality.html

Reality television appears to have taken over our TV schedules. From the monstrous

behemoth that is Big Brother the genre spawned many hybrids and sub-genres. Faced with

a serious documentary on BBC4 or Wife Swap on Channel 4, most of the nation seems to

choose the ‘reality’ option. Indeed, Endemol, the Dutch company behind Big Brother, is

announcing record profits and moving into ever more controversial programming. In its

provocative, consciousness-raising hoax The Big Donor Show 2007, Lisa, the 37-year-old

victim of a brain tumour, asked the audience to help her decide which of the three

contestants with degenerative kidney conditions deserved to get her healthy kidneys.

http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/mm22_reality.html

http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/RealityTV.html

The audience

The success of reality TV is partly due to the increasingly voyeuristic nature of the society

in which we live,and in part due to the obsession with celebrity and everyone wanting to 

be one. I would also argue that we are living in a much more ‘open society’; not open in

terms of freedoms (in fact we have less freedoms), but open in terms of the ‘nothing is 
sacred’ philosophy. 

http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/RealityTV.html

Some theoretical perspectives

Can we apply any theoretical perspectives to the reality TV phenomenon? Firstly, given

that this would be

relevant to the ‘Audience’ section of Med4, Uses and Gratifications theory could certainly

be applied. All four categories of Uses and Gratifications research: (Diversion, Personal
Relationships, Personal Identity, Surveillance), can be applied to reality TV.

• There is no doubt that we use reality TV as a form of escapism, it certainly helps you

forget about the stresses of the day when you can see people having a much worse day
than you have had.

• Reality TV performs the function of companionship through identification with television

characters, and there is no doubt that there is sociability

• In discussion: everyone was talking about BB5. In terms of personal identity, comparisons

are a relatively natural thing to make: we either take the stance that we are better than
the participants,

or we want to be them.

• And finally, it is a source of information about the world, not just from a psychological

perspective, but also from finding out about a particular way of life – for
example, Airport, Property Ladder etc.

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/reality-tv

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/nov/23/how-about-not

keeping-up-with-the-kardashians

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/sep/24/kris-jenner

kardashian-brand

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/23/kim-kardashian-threat-western

civilisation

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/lostinshowbiz/2013/feb/21/africa-keeping-up
kim-kardashian


http://www.uniweimar.de/medien/historiographien/inhalte/lehre/2012_WS/SE_Commu
io/pdfs/12%20Andrejevic%20-%20Rediscovering%20Reality.pdf
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s1532785xmep0604_3#.UluvANKsjTo
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165176510002302
http://www.realworldhouses.com/MTVRealWorldLaunchedARevolution-USAToday.pdf

Textual analysis

How are representations constructed of reality T.V shows such as Keeping up with the Kardashians?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC-XCpvV_V8
(This is an extract from an episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians - when Kim does playboy!)

Kim Kardashian is changing her lifestyle and what she is known as, through the decisions she is making to do playboy. This is a negative representation of her, as she is showing nudity, which automatically would reduce her fan base, as this isn't what they'd want to see. Furthermore, as the shows current main audience is females, they'd be ashamed and wouldn't want to refer to the show any longer, there are fewer men who watch it, therefore they wouldn't be intrigued into it. 

The clip at 15 seconds, starts of properly with Kim doing the actual shoot. It starts of with a close up shot, with her face, and the camera man saying "like that" this initially implies she is doing some sort of shoot. Slowly the camera moves and unravels what she is wearing, the clothing she is wearing is red, which represents her to be devil-like, daring and lovable. This could be implied in many forms, one of which would be a sexually, as of her body language and gesture. There is a medium shot of her, with her posing for the camera, which automatically allows the audience to see her cleavage. This would initially allow the audience to know what she is doing, without the video pursuing further. The dialogue in the background suggests she is doing a good job, and it would indicate to her to do more, as he is saying "very nice" "thats good" etc, these would lead to her being encouraged. Moreover, the music in the background is parallel to the movement, as there are sudden shots being taken.

In addition, the camera man asks her "how much nudity are you prepared for?" the music stops and suits the scene, as it is so sudden and she is shocked, as that is not what she was expecting to be asked. Automatically Kim's facial expression changes, and replies "I don't want to be exposed for any of the shots". This is shown in a long shot, which allows the audience to see her full body, and her body language, of her hand on her hips showing she is good at what she is doing and is proud. Moreover, within this her outfit changes and she is in a bra and knickers, still again it is red, which could have connotations of sexual behaviour or devil-like attitude. 

Furthermore, this clip has a major negative impact of Kim Kardashian, as she is showing so much cleavage and she actually done the shoot, despite her sex tape being shown to everyone, worldwide. The fact that she was still willing to do playboy, shows she has no shame in herself and has the confidence to do so. However, it also has a minor positive impact on the audience, as she refuses to show nudity and remains shocked, and her mother Kris stands up for her, and says she isn't willing to do so due to her past. So, this shows how Kim and her mother have taken into consideration the past, and were only willing to show a little nudity. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abShr_KG6Cs
This is when the Kardashians open their Kardashian Kaos store, in Las Vegas

This clip shows a different representation of Kim Kardashian, alongside her family, opposed to the top video. This clip includes her sisters, who own the store with her. Kim is showing herself as being a successful person, as of the clothing career she holds onto, and as of the new store being opened and the chaos which is being created by the audiences makes it easier to know her career is successful, because of her fans screaming and shouting.

The clip starts of with a point of view shot, as the audience is shown from Kim's perspective. This allows the audience to understand what Kim can see, and how she must be feeling seeing a large amount of audience. Furthermore, the camera slowly pans around, to show the audience and then goes to Kim in a medium shot, then slowly pans vertically down, and shows her from top to bottom. Moreover, the sound in the background is parallel and suits the scene, as it is all natural sound, nothing has been added on. 

Moreover, we see Kim posing for the camera and this shows she is prepared for pictures to be taken of her, the confidence is shown in her smile and movement, as she moves her hair swiftly. Then her sisters Kendall and Kylie are shown to be posing in a medium shot, which allows us to see their body language and movement, showing it is a family business and everyone is involved in the opening of the new store. All the family are shown to be posing, after Kim, which could connote she is the main reason for the success, and she is the main person involved. There is a long shot of Kim, Kourtney, Khloe and Kris, which allows us to see their full body and what they're doing. Furthermore, there is a voice, which has a lot of power telling them what to do, directing them which way to look so images of them can be taken accurately.

In conclusion, this clip has more of a positive impact of Kim Kardashian, as she is shown to be successful and doing well, as they open their new Kardashian store as a family. This clip shows her to be very family oriented, as she opens it with her family beside her, and they're all involved. Furthermore, the clothing she is wearing promotes the new store, as it is clothing from their, which would initially encourage people to buy the products, as they would want to look like Kim, as she is a role model to some people.