I really didn’t know what my topic would be today. Despite these assignments falling two months apart, they have a way of sneaking up on a person.
But as I anguished past midday yesterday, I realized the post on my own blog with the most response of late had nothing to do with writing romance and everything to do with watching television. It was about an upcoming reality TV show.
The response caught me off guard. Until I thought about it. Then it really wasn’t so surprising.
A lot of romance writers—maybe writers in general—enjoy reality television. A quick survey of author blogs will attest to this.
Romance writers are all about escapism through storytelling. Reality television is too. Most writers also love reading but reading, for a writer, over time, becomes as much about work as about pleasure. Their editor voice analyzes and questions the writing. Their muse whispers possible storylines. Their inner student latches on to craft illustrations in print.
So where can romance writers find pure escape with a happy ending? Reality TV.
You choose to what extent you believe these shows truly are based in reality or are highly staged and edited versions of an imagined reality. Regardless, reality TV, if nothing else, tells a story. And we romance writers are all about story.
Like a romance novel, reality television has:
The Premise
Otherwise known as the blurb, logline, or some other abbreviated “story in a nutshellâ€. Teenagers “borrow†babies to find out what it’s really like to be a parent. Aspiring singers vie to win a national recording contract. Twenty-five eligible men romance a single woman looking to find a husband.
Every romance novel has one.
The Characters
Like romance, what would reality television be without its characters? Some come from obscurity to become single-name celebrities, like Omarosa. Some launch careers in the national spotlight, like hosting a new show or selling millions of CDs. Others take their prizes, enjoy their 15 minutes of fame, and go back to living relatively anonymous lives. Like them or not, great characters grab the audience and don’t let go.
Same for a scintillating heartthrob or a no-holds-bar heroine.
The Setting
Your average suburban town, where a potential homebuyer considers several properties before selecting the ideal one to purchase. Dusty, primitive-looking campgrounds where a bunch of kids experiment with self-government. Exotic, foreign locales, where teams search for clues to a grand prize. Anything’s possible.
The Plot
The plot takes the viewers on a journey, from the opening credits of the first episode to the closing credits of the finale. The number of episodes and even types of challenges might remain the same from season to season but, couple it with the characters, and the story becomes something a bit different each time.
How many secret baby books have you read?
Conflict
Romance novels have external and internal conflict. So do reality shows. There is the external conflict of the challenges the contestants face. Make an appetizer from three ingredients in five minutes. Meet the families of several potential lifemates. Decorate a room using $1,000 or less in 48 hrs. Contestants struggle with knowing what to do, knowing how to do it, and whether they can meet their objectives in the time given with the resources allotted and still come away with a positive outcome.
Then, there’s the internal conflict that stems from the personalities and personal agendas of the people. The drama. With the characters competing for a new house, a boatload of money, or even a spouse, there’s bound to be internal conflict that spills over into the external. Audiences love it and some of the contestants even seem to thrive on it.
Just what producers—and novelists—love.
Theme
The themes are pretty hard to miss. There are the “American Dream†shows, shows like SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE where an otherwise unknown can explode onto a national stage and realize her lifelong vocational dream. There are the “Change Your Life†shows, shows like THE BIGGEST LOSER where contestants who survive the grueling fitness regimen walk away with an amazing, positive change in their health and by extension, their life. There are the “Ultimate Mission†shows, like THE AMAZING RACE or SURVIVOR, which are as much game show as reality show and typically involve a prize of at least a million dollars.
Romance novels have common themes too. Way too many to name. But all center around overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds to achieve one’s ultimate goal. Which brings us to…
The Happy Ending
Viewers of reality TV eagerly await the highly-promoted last episode. That moment, when the whole world discovers the identity of the winner. And when that name is called, selected by audience poll or a panel of judges, everyone either sighs, a bit teary-eyed, with jubilant fist in air, or punches the nearest sofa pillow and mumbles unspeakable words.
Whether the winner is your favorite or your most hated character, for that person, it is the happy ending. Triumph over adversity. Overcoming the odds. Surpassing personal expectations. Succeeding where others failed.
The HEA.
Suffice it to say, reality TV and romance have a lot in common. I believe that’s why so many writers watch reality television.
Do you watch reality television? If so, what draws you to it? Do you find any of what you see useful in your writing?
No related posts.
Patricia,
I never thought of reality shows this way, but you’re so right. The “American dream” shows are my favorite because I love to see average people realize something they have lived to achieve.
Gotta have that HEA!
So true!
I love Amercian Idol (and a little of the Bachelorette
) because of the characters. Watching them, I go through what they go through, root for them, boo them, but in the end want a happy ending. 
I watched a couple seasons of The Apprentice before it death spiralled into the silliness it is now.
Oh, I LOVED Rebel Billionaire with Richard Branson crying every time he had to ‘fire’ someone. Good for him for doing that in public. Most exec’s I know cry afterwards in the privacy of their own offices.
I”m addicted to Dancing with the Stars. I love it. The beauty of it, the humor, and the fact that these people are doing something just for the sake of doing it. If they go home, it isn’t their dream crushed, it was still a positive experience. And it is sexy.
Right now, I’m addicted to “The Mole.” I love that show. While it is like Survivor or the Great Race, trying to figure out who the “bad guy” really is, is a ton of fun. I also like that the players’ fates are in their own hands. Either they figure it out, or they go home. I don’t like the “voted off the island” aspect of game shows. I like to see people succeed or fail based on their merit in the game.
For me, it’s the characters and the HEA. Same reason I love romance novels!
I get into the people, their histories and their stories. I like to see them triumph.
This summer, I’ve got one eye on several shows: SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, SHE’S GOT THE LOOK, THE ACADEMY, HELL’S KITCHEN, NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR, and DESIGN STAR. Sounds like a lot but most of those I just catch an episode here or there. The one that’s really caught my attention is SHE’S GOT THE LOOK on TVLand. Women over 35 trying to become runway models. Fascinating backstories and competitive drama.
I love this theory, Patricia! I think you’re right on point. And it’s so good to have such a well thought out excuse for why I cannot miss Next Food Network Star…
Great post!
Gwyneth
I had to find some way to justify the time, Gwyneth!
When I started thinking about it, what scared me is how many reality shows there are across the cable tv world. When TVLand got into the act, I figured I’d seen everything. But it’s all about filling those 24 hours each and every day. I don’t mind if the shows are well done.
I’ve never watched Survivor. American Idol, or most of the others. Couldn’t get into them.
But I did watch Project Runway because it was funny, and Top Chef and The Next Food Network Star (although not to the point of stopping what I was doing to watch–just catching reruns) because I like cooking and the default channel on my TV is usually the Food Network.
Never thought of these in terms of romance novels. Mostly, I wonder why people would expose themselves to the world the way they do.
Which is probably why I hardly watch any tv at all anymore.
My name is Nell and I am a reality show junkie. I loved Britain’s got talent even though I disagreed with the winner. I love Big Brother for the psychological insights into how people think and react in strange situations. I love Location, Location and marvel at people’s ideas of an ideal home. All of it is grist to the mill.
Terry, I’m with you on the exposure thing. I do get the ones where the winner gets a recording contract or to host a new show. And I love TOP CHEF, a smart cooking show.
But the ones where the contestants expose and embarrass themselves for fame and money? I don’t get those at all.
The cool thing about reality shows, some anyway, is that you don’t have to be a rabid fan. If you catch a glimpse, sometimes it’s enough to draw you into that episode. And that’s enough. If you never see any more, no biggie.
Nell, I’m totally addicted to HOUSE HUNTER. I like to look at houses and to guess which house the people will pick based on their stated requirements. Funny how often the decision is not rational at all.
I hate most “reality TV,” largely because of the manufactured conflict and overall nastiness. There’s enough pain and hatred in the world–why would I want to see people backstabbing each other for profit and 15 minutes of lame “fame”?
But, I confess, I do watch Ghost Hunters.
I started as research for a novel I’m writing, and got hooked. I know it’s not “real,” but at least it’s positive!
Dayle, there are some really bad reality shows. Most of them are just mediocre. But there are some pretty good ones too. The interesting thing is that there’s truly something for everyone.
Just as there is in romance!
Y’know, I thought I was the only one, that it was my ‘guilty secret’, my junk TV addiction… sigh. And then you go and ‘out’ a writer’s weakness!!
LOL.
But truly, I am Reality TV Junkie with a capital Junk. I watch AI, Survivor, BigBrother, Bachelorette, House Hunters, So You Think You Can Dance, America’s Got Talent, etc.
My latest fix ended last night, Canada’s Worst Handyman… holy catfish! Talk about ‘types’. The Worst Handyman prize was given to a fellow by the name of Joe ‘The Bullet’ Barbarro (sp??), and the only handyman tool he wielded with authority was a sledgehammer.
And that’s the secret of my addiction; watching the ‘types’, and how they interact. I believe very little of it is ‘reality’, but even the choices the editor and producers make are revealing, I think, in terms of popular taste. It’s junk food for the mind, but then, I do love popcorn and chocolate, too! Ultimately, it’s harmless, I think, because I also like more ‘worthy’ shows like John Adams, good movies, historical documentaries, etc.
Donna, this is the worst kept secret in writerdom!
A lot of folks complain about the quality of TV programming. But I like mine either extremely informative as in PBS specials or completely mindless, as in reality TV (and sitcoms). For deeper entertainment, I read.
“Do you watch reality television?”
Uh-uh. I’m a Law & Order junkie. That show has everything I need to inspire fiction writing – dry humor, sparkling dialogue, conniving minds, a gamut of emotion, and at least one dead body!
But I’m glad the whole book storyline construction thing is clearer with reality TV for so many of y’all!
Bettye, L&O got me through many sleepless nights with my now teenager. In fact, I first watched them in syndication on A&E.
But even with all the variations–SVU, Criminal Intent, Trial by Jury, etc–after a while it starts feeling all the same for me.
Hi Patirica:
Love your post!!
And you are so right about reality shows and romance.
Now if I can get my kids to leave me alone for just a little while, I might be able to watch a show in peace and write a scene without bring up a fight
Reality tv is almost all I watch. Gotta say I do not love the bachelor shows, but I make up for it by being completely hooked on Make Me a SuperModel.
Top Chef is my #1, followed by Survivor. Bummed out that Amazing Race has been missing for so long, though.
I loved the post AND the funny/revealing responses. Good topic, Pat. And I have to agree with you. My addictions are AI and Survivor. And I just discovered So You Think You Can Dance. *sigh* At least my Tivo keeps me from living around their schedule.
Barbara, I’m not a fan of the “hook up with someone” shows either. Had trouble watching premiere of BABY BOOMER last night. Intrigued but it didn’t grab me.
TOP CHEF is tops with me too.
I love your breakdown of the similarities. I’m a court TV junkie, love The People’s Court. Got hook on Project Runway for a time as well. Great post!
Aren’t those dancers great, Andrea? But I don’t TIVO. If I miss it, I miss it. Life is too short to work backwards>
Thanks Lynn. I never could do the court shows but I know many folks who do. They were really the opening act for reality TV, weren’t they? I remember when People’s Court debuted and what an uproar it caused. Real court proceedings on TV? Now we don’t even blink.