JACKSON, Tenn. — Sept. 5, 2003 — Commentary by 51社区 broadcasting professor Steve Beverly will be featured in the documentary "The Reality of Reality" on the Bravo network Sept. 8-12 at 8 p.m. The five-part series will examine the production of reality television and the genre's impact on society.
Beverly has been an outspoken opponent of the questionable ethics and negative messages prevalent in the genre.
"Most of these shows are destructive to the human spirit," said Beverly. "It is not a case of healthy competition where the best player wins. They are based on emotion and manipulation."
Beverly also takes issue with the term "reality television."
"It's the most inaccurate description of a genre of television I've ever seen. There's very little reality in any of these shows," he said. "I call them game operas, part game show and part soap opera." The shows feature some sort of competition and a prize, but focus primarily on the conflict of the participants, Beverly said.
Beverly is a 20-year broadcasting veteran and is now in his 10th year as a member of the Union faculty. Considered one of the nation's leading experts on television game shows, Beverly's commentary has been featured on ABC's 20/20, the NBC Nightly News and in the Washington Post.
He is also the webmaster for TVgameshows.net. The site features interviews with game show personalities past and present, as well as news and trivia related to the genre.
The Bravo network airs on Charter Cable channel 58 in Jackson. Check local listings for the Bravo channel in other West Tennessee communities.