The Back of the Book

Staging the Real traces the evolution of the various categories of 'factual entertainment' programmes which have come to dominate our screens over the last decade or so. The book focuses on issues such as the changes in the broadcasting environment which have given rise to such programmes, the relationship they have to other popular TV genres, and the huge appear that shows like Big Brother have for contemporary audiences. The book also seeks to measure the culutral significance of these new formats. Do they reflect a more general cultural malaise or should we measure their popularity more in terms of the changing expectations which modern audiences bring to TV entertainment? The first part of the book considers the origins of the new factual/documentary formats and assesses the institutionl factors which have promoted their growth. Later chapters focus on the inexorable rise of the docu-soap and of reality game-docs. Staging the Real is an informative, stimulating book written in a lucid, accessible style, exploring an important phenomenon in recent broadcasting history. The book is of relevance to all Media Studies students, both at undergraduate and sixth-form level.

I'm having a bit of a clear out and have asked myself, 'Realistically, are you going to read this?' The answer, in this case, was, 'No.'

Availables Box 2

RELEASE NOTES:

I found this book in the women's centre on Thursday 26 May. I picked it up because it was on the media and journalism - which is my field.
I hadn't heard of Bookcrossing until I saw the label. I fully intend to read the book shortly. I'm a bit of a media anorak and it looks really interesting!
In the meantime I guess I had better take a look around the site and see what Bookcrossing is all about :)

Thanks for leaving the book. I'm looking forward to curling up with it!