Pseudo-Events vs. Reality TV

Consider this excerpt from Daniel J. Boorstin's book "The Image":

"Within the last hundred years, however, and especially in the twentieth century, all this has changed. We expect the papers to be full of news. if there is no news visible to the naked eye, or to the average citizen, we still expect it to be there for the enterprising newsman. The successful reporter is one who can find a story, even if there is no earthquake or assassination or civil war. If he cannot find a story, then he must make one–by the questions he asks of public figures, by the surprising human interest he unfolds from some commonplace events, or by "the news behind the news." if all this fails, then he must give us a "think piece"– an embroidering of well-known facts, pr a speculation about starling things to come. 

This change in our attitude toward "news" is not merely a basic fact about the history of American newspapers. it is a symptom of a revolutionary change in our attitude toward what happens in the world, how much of it is new, and surprising, and important. Toward how life can be enlivened, toward our power and the power of those who inform and educate and guide us, to provide synthetic happenings to make up for the lack of spontaneous events. Demanding more than the world can give us, we require that something be fabricated to make up for the world's deficiency. This is only one example for our demand for illusions. 

The new kind of synthetic novelty which has flooded our experience I will call "pseudo-events." The common prefix "pseudo" comes from the Greek word meaning false, or intended to deceive." (pg. 8-9) 

If you consider Boorstin's idea of "pseudo-event", it's safe to say that reality-TV is a modern form of pseudo-events. TV producers have create situations and try to make them look "real". But we all know that the majority of reality TV shows are staged to create drama. Almost all reality TV show contestants are screened or have to audition. The Real World has auditions across the country to find the 7 people whom they know would clash the most. Then they put them in a house for 3 months and stage (I’m sure) confrontations, confessions and hook-ups. The producers have become masters at creating drama and human conflict. So, the “Real” World is in no way realistic. Based on the definition of pseudo, the Real World is most definitely a pseudo-event. Most of the time it is false and does intend to deceive. The producers want you to believe that everything that happens inside the house is completely unscripted. 

Even non-dramatic shows like Cash Cab admit to screening contestants before they enter the cab. So, in a way they "set-up" the show. The majority of the time it's not just random people hopping into a cab and being on a game-show. 

The “reality” TV show is not completely realistic. Every channel has a “reality” TV show that has an obsessed audience. Reality TV has become a guilty pleasure that we all indulge in, even if we know it’s not completely realistic. As ridiculous and “unreal” as it gets we still watch it. Most of us don’t even like it, but something draws us in. Why are we drawn into these "events" that we know are completely false? Why have we deemed reality TV, a pseudo-event, in which we know is false, acceptable?

 

Miss California

Miss USA is the ultimate communicator. When we watch Miss USA and Miss America we want the prettiest, most talented and most articulate girl to win. And winning ultimately means representing your state and your country in the Miss Universe Pageant. Miss USA is suppose to communicate to the rest of the world that she is what the USA is all about… at least that’s the idea.  So when Miss California answered Perez Hilton’s controversial question, truthfully, was she at fault? Some would say no and Perez, well here’s what he had to say on Larry King: 

Is it Perez Hilton's place to judge her? Absolutely. Even though she gave a truthful answer, she was running for Miss USA, a national and worldwide title. Miss USA is also a widely televised event that almost all Americans watch. As a Miss USA contestant, in a pageant that is based solely on other people’s judgment, she should know that whatever she says is open for judgment. If she gives a controversial answer, she should be prepared to take all kinds of criticism, the bad and the good. Is Perez Hilton judging her too harshly? Maybe. But, it was his question, and if you know anything about Hilton, you know how harshly he judges others. If I was a contestant and Perez Hilton was a judge, I would make sure to impress him and win his vote. Because if you didn’t, he would make a fool out of you on his famous and widely read blog on the Internet, PerezHilton.com. I agree with Perez when he says, “Miss USA should be all-inclusive. She should be my Miss USA.” I think Miss USA is supposed to be represented by all Americans, not just the ones she sees fit. 

Response to Dominos Prank

Response to "Video Prank at Dominos Taints Brand"

The New York Times

April 16, 2009

When you have a situation like this one (where two employees completely taint the reputation of an entire brand) strong public relations skills are going to be needed. Dominos is a national chain and the actions of the two employees reflect poorly on the brand and effect them hugely. Social media has played a huge role in this scandal. The video was spread widely and very quickly through Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. Therefore, it is going to be much harder to remove the video and to control the comments, groups, Tweets and blogs about the subject. As the article says, Dominos is dealing with a “digital crisis”.

I think that Dominos has done a good PR job of dealing with the situation and the employees. If I was the PR consultant I would have fired both of the employees and filed lawsuits against them, not only because what they did was wrong but to make a point that we do not tolerate things of that nature. Next, I would have advised Dominos to make a public apology on behave of the employees that screwed up and to explain the steps they are going to take to fix the situation. They would have mandatory health inspections of all of their stores and screenings of all of their employees. Yes, this would be very expensive, but it would be worth keeping their valued customers. Dominos would also need to make a statement that they will do a more thorough job of hiring new employees. This would hopefully prevent a situation like this from happening again.

The smartest step that Dominos has taken to deal with the situation is join social media networks like Twitter. This is extremely important and smart because this is how the video was spread so fast. They have started a Twitter account to address questions and concerns from customers. I would advise any company in a crisis communication situation to do this. Dominos is utilizing the Internet and social media and that will help them recover from this.