| Page 151 explains that when consumed, waxworms have a faintly buttery, salty taste reminiscent of popcorn. Page 57 advises the use of non-words like "irregardless" and "ironical" as a good way to convince opponents that you’re not very bright and thus not a threat. And page 103 tells you how to make a non-binding proposal of marriage. All these golden nuggets of wisdom come from The Reality TV Handbook (Quirk Books), a new tome dedicated to the lowbrow television genre that is showing no signs of petering out.
With the new fall TV season upon us, we have the ever-so-predictable returns of Survivor and NBC’s The Apprentice, but there are some new and tasty reality morsels to dine on as well. One of the most intriguing guilty pleasures is Dog the Bounty Hunter, a reality series that documents the real-life, crime-fighting adventures of a beefy, mullet-wearing fugitive chaser.
Spouting the sort of I’m-the-baddest-ass-alive trash-talk that would make even Hulk Hogan blush, Dog (Duane Chapman ) is an ex-con who decided to better himself by working for the other side of the law. This white trash superhero’s exploits are currently airing on A&E. That’s right, A&E, because nothing screams arts and culture like a tattooed body-builder with an ‘80s —rock-star look, bouncing the skulls of lawbreakers off the hood of a car.
The fact that A&E is not only airing Dog the Bounty Hunter but Growing Up Gotti as well, demonstrates that reality TV has grown to conquer not only the major networks but the specialty channels as well. While there is obviously a sizable audience for documentary-style shows like The Osbournes, The Simple Life with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie and Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, it is still the competition-based programs that nab the biggest ratings and media attention.
With valuable information on how to land a spot and hopefully triumph on one of these shows, The Reality TV Handbook by Jon Saade and Joe Borgenicht is an insightful and, at times, downright amusing read. Saade is a reality-TV executive with ABC who has helped launch the shows The Bachelor, The Mole and Extreme Makeover. Borgenicht is an experienced guidebook writer whose past credits include The Action Hero’s Handbook and Undercover Golf.
Even if you’re only a reality-show watcher and not an aspiring participant, the book, which features hilarious airline safety-card-type illustrations, is worth seeking out. It gives some intriguing behind-the-scenes information on how these shows are put together and function. For example, one way to tell during the casting process if you are close to landing a spot on the series is to judge the quality of the equipment used in a casting interview. If you see plenty of studio lighting and professional sound equipment, you know you’re close because the producers are shooting better quality video footage that they can later include in the show or on a DVD release.
Just as interesting is the book’s bombshell that some production crew members will actually assist their favourite contestants on competition-based shows. Even though they will likely lose their jobs if they are caught, these crew members will supply food or the answers to challenge questions to cast members they have connected with. Apparently, the practice has become so commonplace that some producers and directors now require non-essential production staff to turn their backs to contestants during competitions.
Bat your eyes at a sound guy and you’re on your way to a million-dollar reality-TV payday? Who knew? |
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