Big Bother: Why Did That Reality TV Show Become Such a Phenomenon?

Johnson-Woods, Toni Big Bother: Why Did That Reality TV Show Become Such a Phenomenon? 1st ed. Brisbane: University of Queensland Press, 2002.

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Author Johnson-Woods, Toni
Title Big Bother: Why Did That Reality TV Show Become Such a Phenomenon?
Place of Publication Brisbane
Publisher University of Queensland Press
Publication year 2002
Edition 1st
ISBN 0-7022-3315-3
Total pages 237
Subjects 420304 Screen and Media Culture
Abstract/Summary This is chapter 1 of Big Bother: Why Did That Reality TV Show Become Such a Phenomenon? by Toni Johnson-Woods. Big Brother is watching you, but who is watching Big Brother, and why? Since 1999 the show has played more than 40 series in 20 countries, with three million Australians viewing the final episode. In the United Kingdom, more people voted for contestants than voted in the general election. What created the program's phenomenal mass appeal, and why do the media stir up such a 'big bother' whenever the program goes to air? What tricks did the producers use to manipulate the audience, and which ones did you fall for? Was Ben's big $250,000 win the result of fickle fan voting, or was it fated before the housemates even entered the house? How did Sara Marie become Australia's sweetheart, when she would have been evicted in the first week if Andy hadn't been more annoying? Big Bother answers these questions and more in an in-depth analysis of the Big Brother phenomenon. Not just a behind-the-scenes look at Australia's groundbreaking first series, this book is also a valuable companion for the subsequent series. '... Toni Johnson-Woods' Big Bother offers a refreshingly rigorous, and often reverent, work of research that is concerned with the production and reception of series one of Australian Big Brother.... Unlike many analysts who forecasted that Big Brother would be the beginning of the end for television, Johnson-Woods' blend of academic inquiry and detailed yet accessible reportage, contextualises this media event (rightfully) within its broad web of stakeholders. There is much within Big Bother for both media analysts and fans of Big Brother. This book makes a useful contribution to the growing scholarship on reality television and to the genre of the 'cross-over text' - its accessible style should result in it having appeal beyond the academy.' - Kate Douglas, JAS Review of Books
Keyword Johnson-Woods
Toni
Reality TV
Big Brother
communication studies
television
Additional Notes This is chapter 1 of this title. To buy the book through the UQ Bookshop, click on the link above and follow the instructions.

 
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