So far on my blog, I have been discussing the boundaries of documentary and the elements that define different types of documentaries. As I have been doing so, it is becoming increasingly apparent to me that the term ‘documentary’ is not as stable as it once was. With the rise and rise of lifestyle and reality programming in the last 10 years, there are far more documentary ‘hybrids’. It is becoming harder and harder to define exactly what is a ‘documentary’ and what isn’t! In regards to television especially, the lines are becoming increasingly blurred. Reality programs such as “Man Vs. Wild”, “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” and “Bondi Rescue” have all been described as “observational documentaries” in varying reviews…. So what are we meant to call things these days? The following is my personal breakdown of television programming, and the evolution of non-fiction television to “factual entertainment” television.
Television programming is generally broken down into two groups: “fiction” or “scripted” television, and “non-fiction” or “unscripted” television. Non-fiction television is a broad category that defines practically everything we watch except for sitcoms, hour-long dramas, television movies and soap operas (Anderson 2006, p. 13). Everything and anything that is left, including news programs, game shows, documentary shows and talk shows, is considered non-fiction programming. The prodigal child of the non-fiction family is “reality television”.
Despite its name, ‘reality television’ cannot be defined by, nor be confused with ‘reality’ itself. These days, audiences are for the most part aware that in reality programming, the idea of ‘reality’ is often a highly contrived one. Participants are immersed in exotic or controlled situations and sometimes coached to act in particular ways. In addition, the majority of footage is manipulated through intensive editing and other post-production techniques (ACMA 2006). It is perhaps for this reason that Australian television networks and production companies alike have practically done away with the phrase ‘reality television’ altogether, coining the umbrella term “Factual Entertainment”.
In many ways, the term ‘Factual Entertainment’ is the ideal solution to the enigmatic reality genre that normally eludes one specific definition. The term encompasses the range of programs broadcast on Australian television that could be considered to be reality television programming, but which actually contain elements from a number of distinct formats that often overlap. While the word ‘factual’ identifies that there is an element of truth or reality, the term ‘entertainment’ clearly comments on the highly produced nature of the programs thats key purpose is not to depict ‘reality’, but to ‘entertain’. Whilst reality television is often criticised for creating contrived situations for the purpose of entertainment, the term “factual entertainment” cannot be critiqued because it states this intention upfront, and for this reason it has become more accepted and widely used.
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