If I could go back twenty or more years and ask myself what programmes did we have then which would have fitted into the reality TV genre, I suppose I would have to search long and hard to find some. By comparison today all the TV channels offer some form of reality TV.

Reality TV whether we personally like it or not is here to stay. So why is it here to stay if in some quarters of the world it is the worst possible form of television entertainment? Do we have a sadistic streak which allows us to enjoy reality TV in the way our forbears enjoyed going to a circus or a bear baiting festival in a medieval market place, or does our interest go deeper than this? Do we secretly harbour a liking for the fact that we can make judgements about people who are at there most vulnerable, this is all fools day reincarnated every night before our eyes, or the placing of someone in the market square stocks to hurl abuse at instead of rotten vegetables? Surely all good harmless fun. Mmm.

The answer to all of these questions is Yes and anyone who chooses to deny it is lying.

So what other reasons is reality TV here to stay is it just because the TV companies want to keep a nation of couch potatoes all at home with the popcorn bucket and 4 cans of lager at your side? Why ever not, a captive audience to mentally stimulate with regular advertising for items you might never think of buying whilst out shopping. Of course the programmes are popular and viewing figures are a must, guaranteed viewing figures means we are all potential buyers into commerce. Has this ever had anything to do with talent, or finding talent?
Are the talented not consumers also?

The answer again is yes.

We are all aware of course of the vast profits involved in reality TV we need only look to the media to read this, but what of the perks that the media always shows of the glamour the lavish nights and parties TV personalities and wanabes get to participate in, so much so you’d think that life had become one big party after another. Ah breathe, sigh take five… would we ordinary folk survive any of this, gosh the intrusion levels would be so invasive you’d never get to the toilet without a camera on your a. . .

But what of the real reality, the work that goes on behind. The business machine or does that just happen without any effort. The answer to this one is No. PR people must do there job, those in involved in marketing and communications must do there jobs, the crew, the photogrpahers, engineers, sound technicians have all got work to do. Managers managers and managers an ever ending line of managers all ’so many chiefs and of course the indians’. Wages wages and wages my god where do they all come from. From working and selling of services or products. So we can see how we have all come full circle.

So where on earth does the talented fit in with any of this scenario? What can reality TV do for the talented? Oh absolutely everything, marketing selling promotions the lot. Need we ever get out of our chair again? Oh yes someone has to put the kettle on.

DID YOU KNOW THAT AT LAST COUNT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY WAS BRITAINS SEVENTH BIGGEST RETURNER OF TAXABLE REVENUE?

But sadly not all musicians, songwriters and singers have recording contracts so this statement incorporates all those working out in the urban city clubs, pubs, theatres, concert halls, and indeed anywhere else where musicians, songwriters and singers are likely to be paid.

So the music business goes beyond that which we see on the television.

Again I am going to become reflective, it was some 26 years ago since I first enrolled on a music course, I know I’m getting older and I’d hope not crankier and more insane, but if it were possible to go back in time the mistakes I made then, I’d probably make again, as we are all human. But what if the nature of the courses I had been on -had been more business orientated, that would have seriously made a big difference. Who knows I may well have ended up with my name in lights and earning some fabulous amount of spondoolix. I don’t know if I would have been happy though, or whether I would have lacked a conscience from being more of a goal getter, who knows.I don’t think I could have ignored my fathers needs though for love care and attention at a time in his life when it was most needed.

Every year thousands of students leave courses in drama, music studies and the one area they are all missing is music business guidance, fare enough the courses give individuals the basics, how well an individual does could be indicative of how great there skill is but the real art of the musician, singer entertainer etc is learnt through plying there skills outside in the real world.

The real word is a tough place and if something someone or some media communication means, can enable life to become that bit easier for a performer, to give them a greater chance, I say they should go for it. But I don’t say they should go for it and put every other area of life on hold. That would be shallow.

This article has been written by Maureen, one of our contributors on Unreality TV. Thanks Maureen!