Real People and the Rise of Reality Television - Hardcover

by Michael McKenna (Author)

The origins of, and in many ways the prototype for, modern reality programming can be traced to Real People, a show which focused on average individuals, primarily Americans, and applauded their individuality. This book provides an examination of Real People, why it succeeded, and what implications it had for future television programming.

Author Biography

Michael McKenna teaches history at Farmingdale State College. His primary research interests are urban history and American popular culture, particularly television programming. He is the author of The ABC Movie of the Week: Big Movies for the Small Screen (2013).