The Narrative Analysis Of Reality TV

As a popular television program genre all around the globe, Reality TV has been studied from various perspectives by creators of the TV shows, executives of TV organizations, and experts and scholars in this area. According to the approach of narrative analysis, Reality TV has a dynamic linear pattern with narrative intension. This thesis is an analysis on the narrative pattern of Reality TV, focusing on its text structure particularly. I wish that this study could help stimulating the innovations of this kind of TV programs, and promoting its improvements and developments in practice.In Part One of this thesis, I at first define the domain of narrative research, and clarify the concept of Reality TV, through reviewing the theories of narrative research and the genesis and evolution of reality TV. Also, I introduce the classification of Reality TV shows and the typical examples. In Part Two, my analysis focuses on the narrative pattern of one certain reality TV show. In a case study of"The First Heart-beat", a Reality TV show created by Chongqing TV Station and Chongshi-Wenhua Production Co., I discuss several fundamental narrative elements of a Reality TV show: Narrative Subject, the participants as the characters in a story who are watched by the audience; Narrative Force, the suspense as the engine that drives a story and attracts the audience; Narrative Pilot, the conflicts that define the relations of roles; Narrative Frame, the rules that dominate the dramatic fates of characters; Narrative Situation, the time-and-space that constructs the basis of a story imaginarily; Narrative Detail, the on-the-spot happenings that expose the process of a show; Narrative Enforcement, the artistic techniques that improve the influence of a show; et al. Finally, I conclude the thesis with further suggestions for some Reality shows that currently air.In general, the thesis studies the text structure of the Reality-TV shows, and discusses the functions and the evolutionary possibilities of their narrative elements. I have an ambition to help creators and producers deeply understanding and grasping the theory of these elements and relevant principles, localizing those successful international program formats, developing original formats, and gaining commercial success and reputations for the Chinese television.