The Explorer » Features

Journalism Final gives students a look inside the life of a reality tv star

adviser — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:25:45 +0000

In 1973, the first reality TV show, “An American Family” aired on PBS. It captured the every day lives of the Loud family and aired over a seven week period.
Almost forty years later, there are over 2,000 reality TV shows on channels ranging from MTV to National Geographic. About 68% of people from the ages 18-29 enjoy watching reality television, and with new shows and concepts being created, those numbers are rapidly rising. In fact, the overwhelming influence of reality television in our lives is becoming increasingly hard to avoid.
But what is it about reality TV that is so fascinating to the viewer? Is it the hopelessly horrific singers on the first round of American idol, or the wealthy, materialistic women of the Real Housewives?
“It engages a part of my brain that seems to like the base stimulation without much thinking,” said Lea Lane of the Huffington Post in an article about her reality tv show addiction.
According to a study done by Psychology Today, one aspect of reality tv that is compelling to the viewer is it’s sense of competition; the bashing, alliances, and revenge to attain the ultimate goal of sweet victory, or the more commonly experienced, agony of defeat.
The first mainstream reality tv show was “The Real World”, first airing in 1992. Following “The Real World”, Survivor aired about eight years later and completely revolutionized the world of reality tv.
Meredith McHenry, reality star from the show Karaoke Battle USA, describes reality tv as not very reality focused. “I wasn’t used to having someone edit what I was saying as I was speaking,” singer Meredith McHenry said. Making it to the semi finals of the West region before being eliminated, McHenry was known for her powerful and soulful voice. “I’ve been singing as long as I could open my mouth,” McHenry said.
Waiting tables at a restaurant, Meredith began her karaoke career at 21 where she performed at places such as The Mint in San Francisco and Gallagher’s in the East Bay as well as various reperatory and college theatre companies. After taking a seven-year break to focus on a career other than singing, McHenry won a competition in Dublin at Gallaghers, moving her on to sang at a karaoke bar in Dublin, which happened to be holding a competition to qualify for a karaoke show.
This single performance reignited her passion for singing and, simultaneously, jumpstarted her singing career.
McHenry had stumbled upon a competition that would lead her to getting a spot on ABC’s reality show Karaoke Battle USA. After singing in a series of regional competitions following her performance in Dublin, she made it to Las Vegas to compete in the West Region Regionals. “I’ve never sung in front of that many people before,” McHenry said.
After winning the West Region Regionals, she made it to the finals, where she was unfortunately eliminated.
Since her time on the show, McHenry has sung in shows around the Bay Area and Los Angeles and is working on an album. “The big difference is I have a career now, before it was just a hobby,” McHenry said.
McHenry’s post-reality tv opportunity is not uncommon. From Kim Kardashian to Carrie Underwood, many A-list celebrities can attribute their Hollywood status to the popularity of reality tv, and most importantly the creative genius of the producers. “For a lot of [the producers] it was their first producer credit,” McHenry said. McHenry noted how hard the producers worked to advertise and market the show.
And, with her singing career busier than ever, there is no doubt about the publicity and connections gained from being on reality tv. For McHenry, a career as a singer, a life she never thought possible, is slowly becoming a reality. “It lit the fire again,” McHenry said.

American Idol: where dreams come true…or get crushed

adviser — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:01:03 +0000

“This. Is. American Idol!”
As you turn on your TV, you immediately hear Ryan Seacrests voice. It jumps out at you, as you realize that it’s a new season of American Idol.
Last years winner was country singer Scotty McCreery, who stunned viewers everywhere with his incredibly deep voice. “I was taken by surprise when I first heard Scotty sing,” junior Talia Gonzalez said.
Both Lauren Alaina (2nd place winner) and Scotty McCreery will go far in their music career. They both have their own albums on iTunes.
Whether you are an avid fan or just a casual viewer, why do you watch American Idol?
“It’s fun to watch people belt out a song they love or want to sing,” history teacher Philip Wilder said. “I think there are people who love the music and the performances,” history teacher Colleen Galloway said, “and others who like to watch the train wrecks.”
Many viewers just watch the show for the auditions. “I watch the auditions because there are usually some people on there who can’t sing and just want to be on TV,” sophomore Caroline Yabut said.
Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson, were the original three judges on the show. Many people had a favorite judge on the show, “Simon was pretty harsh, but he was also funny and witty,” Yabut said. Even though Cowell was a very critical judge, he gave helpful advice to the participants by telling them what to work on for the next time.
No doubt that we all miss Simon and his sarcastic remarks, but many of us also like Steven Tyler, “I like Steven Tyler, I think there is a chemistry within him and the group,” Wilder said. “You never know what’s going to come out of Steven’s mouth,” Galloway said. “He definitely has a background of musical experience, and the way he says things adds to the entertainment.”
Joining Steven Tyler are old-timer Randy Jackson, and the lovely Jennifer Lopez. “I don’t think the new judges have the same charisma as the old judges,” Yabut said.
Other judges who have also been a part of the show are Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Kara DioGuardi and comedian/talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
How did the show American Idol come about? It was based on the British show, “Pop Idol,” created by Simon Fuller. In 2001, the show made its debut in Britain with Nigel Lythgoe being the producer. The show was a huge success with the viewing public.
“Pop Idol,” was then renamed “American Idol: The Search of a Superstar,” and debuted in the U.S. during the summer of 2002, and became one of the summer hit shows that year.
Even though American Idol has been a favorite singing show, The X-Factor, Karaoke Battle U.S.A., and The Voice are just some of the other singing shows that are vying for attention from TV viewers.
By 2005 it had become the biggest TV show in the U.S. And now in 2012, the show is still airing today. Who knows when or if the show will ever end, but what we do want to know (and you need to watch the show for the answer) is, who will be the next American Idol?

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admin — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 19:51:45 +0000