The phenomenon of talent shows on television today Cover Image

Феномен талант-шоу на сучасному телебаченні
The phenomenon of talent shows on television today

Author(s): Kateryna Stanislavska
Subject(s): Media studies, Sociology of Culture
Published by: Національна академія керівних кадрів культури і мистецтв
Keywords: television; show; showisation; reality show; talent show; Ben Elton’s novel "Number One";

Summary/Abstract: Postmodern culture caused the loss of established ideals and set of measurements in different socio-cultural contexts of life. Increasingly, modern man does opt for virtual reality, which produces media culture. Her perception may lead to "information injuries" personality. This process of "injury" continues, especially under the influence of television: it "bombs" mass consciousness and the individual viewer. In Ukraine this problem updated today: domestic television production focuses on entertainment shows, the format of which is approved in the U.S. and Europe and purchased dozens of countries. One of the most striking examples of a talent show – a series of programs in which (partly in writing, partly in real time) is racing participants, contestants demonstrate their abilities, skills and talents. Analysis of information sources show that the phenomenon of talent shows, as an independent original form of modern television, has not yet become the subject of scientific research. Thus, the purpose of the article and will determine the specifics of the establishment and functioning talent show as the latest screen form. Most scholars trace the historical path shows the ancient sights, summarizing that in modern conditions during this phenomenon to be understood a great form of modern entertainment culture, which includes the main distinctive features of postmodernism, such as synthesis, assembly, fragmentation and ambivalence. Today there is a deep penetration shows in all aspects of society – showisation. The most popular means of mass communication –TV – clearly demonstrates not only the processes of showisation society, but also rapidly activates its own production of the show. This process is explained by two interdependent factors: on the one hand, show technologies aimed at manipulating the audience and the implementation of certain changes in the minds of business communication (in other words, intended "to plant" the viewer into a particular TV show) on the other – the most audience in some way manipulate TV-creator (his interest with lively interactive, highly rated view), encouraging the continuation favorite show in subsequent seasons and new shaped. Form a crowd favorite was the reality show. One of the highlights of his species is talent show – TV-project in which participants compete to demonstrate their abilities. On the Ukrainian TV talent show presented projects that are analogous to the popular world of show "Ukraine’s got talent", "X Factor", "Everybody Dance", "Voice of the Country, "Superstar", "Star Factory" and others. By creating an entertaining spectacle based on the creative potential of ordinary people on the television have focused on the particular nature and manner of treatment of participants in certain situations, are developing strategies to combat in a competitive environment, trace the processes of forming leaders and outsiders. Appeals primarily to the emotions and passionate feelings such mechanisms show use of suggestion and persuasion, including: loud phrases presenters, applause and shouts of the audience in the studio, mottled colors and lighting effects, the frequent repetition of the same themes and screen savers, respect of persons judges stable image, long "intriguing" pause and binding advertising before the announcement of important information. Problems spectators and participants talent show concern not only psychologists, sociologists, educators and journalists. British actor-comedian, writer, screenwriter and director Ben Elton, author of over a dozen popular novels in the world on current topics in 2006 published a book titled "Number One" – a satirical novel about vocal talent TV show. As a person who has many years of working in television, B. Helton, of course, described – albeit in an art form – the actual technology involved in the production of this show. The main points on which the author emphasizes the following: 1) The protagonist of the book – the show producer Calvin Simms – soul and flesh show, charismatic personality that can strategically and tactically to build a top tier television project and focus its development in the right direction it; 2) The number of participants stated that really was cast before the judges – deception; 3) The talent show is looking for talent: the previous castings selected the brightest person several types of participants, which in the jargon is called "Velcro", "upstart" and "morel", the ability to sing – not important, the main thing in the show – the history of the contestant; 4) A second chance – a method of manipulation of the talent show: colorful history to "return and re-shame" or "return and triumphant ascent" (depending on the desires script) is given a second chance to the participants, the audience is already familiar to last season’s show; 5) Finalists of the show known to the ethers. We do not aim the analogy "invented" show "Number One" Ben Elton with local talent show, but most of these principles, in our view, clearly manifested in the modern Ukrainian television.

  • Issue Year: 2013
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 89-96
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Ukrainian