On American Reality TV:Based On The Content Analysis And Communication Strategy

Nowadays, the reality show, as a type of TV program, has spread its popularity worldwide by its unique charm, and still keeps itself in the limelight. As the founder of all the reality show, Survivor has aroused a ratings boom since its first broadcast on CBS in 2000. After Survivor rose to fame, many countries have introduced the program, including China. As atypical example of the reality show favored by millions of viewers, the success of Survivor is worth thinking and studying undoubtedly. This paper aims at studying the “reality” and “fiction” of Survivors to conclude their combination by analyzing comprehensively the image text of Survivor, discussing its content creation and communication strategy, and then interpreting its key elements and imaginary composition.Meanwhile, in light of Daniel Dayan and Elihu Katz’s viewpoints towards media events, we can find that Survivor can be treated as a “media events”, when placed under the theoretical framework of media events with their script types, program features, etc. Finally, against the backdrop of China’s cultural background and status quo of reality show, this thesis summarizes what can be drawn on from Survivor, reveals the shortcomings of Chinese reality shows, such as excess in quantity, homogenization in plot, tendency to vulgarity, and lack of originality. In searching for a “road” to “Rome”, the author concludes that the best way for Chinese reality shows to improve is to draw upon the experience of Survivor while also innovating on their own.