The Reality of Reality TV Shows

Reality TV is an unscripted programming that does not use actors and focuses on footage of real events or situations. In recent years, the Nigerian entertainment industry has witnessed the proliferation of reality TV.

That reality TV relies heavily on the cameras capturing everything has often led viewers to believe they are knowledgeable about the participants and their activities. Along with this knowledge is a projected expectation on participants based on their performance during the show; however, several cases have proved reality bites when the show ends.

Some winners or participants expected to become instant successes go into obscurity after the cameras stop rolling. Admittedly, some known stars today like Iyanya, Chidinma, Timi Dakolo received a boost in their careers by winning on reality TV but the hypocrisy of reality shows is that winners are not always the biggest winners. Their climb to stardom is not always the same for all.

The media recently went agog when it learnt that 2013 MTN Project Fame winner, Olawale Ojo picked up a job as a cab driver. Efe who won the 2017 edition of Big Brother Naija has been severely criticised for his music since the show ended while ironically, Cee-C of the 2018 edition of the same show who received several backlashes during the show and was expected to do poorly outside the house is being signed as an ambassador by different brands.

In the same vein, Omawumi and Tonto Dikeh did not win the different reality TV shows they took part in but are enviable successes in their fields. In the end, must agree that the reality of reality TV is not always, what we expect.