Publicized Intimacies on Reality Television: An Analysis of Voyeuristic Content and Its Contribution to the Appeal of Reality Programming

Abstract

Given that reality television is not a cohesive genre, a better understanding of the frequently noted voyeuristic appeal of reality programs would require an analysis of content features that may contribute to their voyeuristic appeal. A survey administered to television viewers and a content analysis of reality programs support hypotheses regarding the voyeuristic appeal of reality programs in general, and suggest that scenes which adopt a “fly on the wall perspective,” take place in private settings, contain nudity, and/or include gossip, contribute to the voyeuristic appeal of reality programs.

Notes

The author would like to thank Dr. Oscar H. Gandy, Dr. Robert C. Hornik, Dr. Paul Messaris, Hardy Griffin, and the reviewers for their valuable input.

^a n for reliability = 216.

^bN/A: Reliability statistics not calculated because of lack of variation for units coded to calculate intercoder reliability.

*p < .05

**p < .01

***p < .001 (2-tailed).

*p < .05

**p < .01

***p < .001.