Task 1- Course Journal (The Amazing Race)

Reality TV is a way for viewers to tap into the lives of other people. Although some might argue that reality TV programmes are exaggerated to make viewers tune in to the following episodes, many still watch these programmes. This is simply due to the fact that people are very interested in other people’s lives.

A lot of people my age watch reality TV, especially reality game shows like Survivor and The Amazing Race. The latter eventually had many different versions globally.  A few examples would be The Amazing Race Asia, The Amazing Race Norge (Norway), The Amazing Race Vietnam, The Amazing Race Australia and the HaMerotz LaMillion (Israel).

These franchisees are a way for CBS to gain revenue. In addition to that, CBS also gains from audience investment, which is a good way for the show to gain popularity worldwide.

By watching this reality TV game show, viewers around the world get emotionally invested in the show. We choose teams and even discuss about the episode with our family members or our peers, like how a particular couple lied to another couple just so they would have an advantage in the game. Although we do not have a say in who wins as we do not get to vote for a winner, fans of the show are still engrossed in it.

Not only are we emotionally invested, we tend to be socially invested too. I would sometimes immediately text a friend whom I know watches the show too, if something exciting happens. However with the influx of social media sites, many post their views online instantly and share it globally. Viewers of the Amazing Race can connect with each other- regardless of where they are from- and discuss further about the show on sites like twitter (by using hashtags), or commenting on posts by the official facebook page or by communicating on online forums. Consumers get a sense of community by engaging with others who watch the same show. Some even make new friends in this process.

I personally look forward to reading the comments under a YouTube video, to see what others who have watched that video feel about it. Similarly, these alternate online platforms are a good way for viewers of reality TV shows to see what others have to say about a particular episode or about the whole season. Fans also get to interact with the host of The Amazing Race, Phil Keoghan, by live-tweeting him during the show occasionally. This is one way that the show engages its viewers and builds a relationship with them so that they continue watching for a long time.

One would expect the global versions of The Amazing Race to be exactly like the American version of the game show. However, these shows are different and they have their own local twist. For example, having the local version of the show broadcasted in local languages(in countries where English is not the preferred language of communication)- possibly without any voice-overs or subtitles- makes it easier for locals to enjoy the programme.

Although the original Amazing Race is being broadcasted all over the world with millions of people tuning in to watch it, fans of the show also watch their local versions of The Amazing Race. They do this to compare the long-running American version to their national one and possibly even start a discussion with their peers who watch the television programme as well.

Most of the organisers and producers of the show choose participants from different backgrounds and professions, and different ethnicities. An example would be this intro of season 25 of The Amazing Race. They do this to prevent any kind of backlash or controversy from viewers for lack of diversity. These participants are ultimately the ones who represent the people of their country, to an international audience.

(The Amazing Race 25 Intro)

References

The Amazing Race 25, 2014 (Video File), Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kefwwG-dGzc>. [27 September 2014].

Wikipedia. 2007. The Amazing Race (U.S. TV series). [ONLINE] Available at:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Amazing_Race_(U.S._TV_series). [Accessed 26 June 2015].

Facebook. 2007. The Amazing Race. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/amazingrace. [Accessed 10 July 15].

Twitter. 2009. The Amazing Race. [ONLINE] Available at: https://twitter.com/amazingrace_cbs. [Accessed 10 July 15].

The Amazing Race: What If. 2015. The Amazing Race: What If. [ONLINE] Available at:http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,26619.0.html?PHPSESSID=38acebad4893c8fb282f710c02cb9564. [Accessed 10 July 2015].

Facebook. 2012. The Amazing Race. [ONLINE] Available at:https://www.facebook.com/amazingrace/posts/383725411702201. [Accessed 27 October 2012].

Amazing Race TV show on CBS: ratings (cancel or renew?). 2015. Amazing Race TV show on CBS: ratings (cancel or renew?). [ONLINE] Available at:http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/the-amazing-race-spring-2015-ratings-35738/. [Accessed 10 July 2015].

A Valli 
SIM student number: 10153591
RMIT Student number: S3531221