(E)

Directions: Read the following text and choose the most suitable heading from A-F for each paragraph. There is one extra heading which you do not need.

A. Current situation and future of reality shows

B. Audience’s reaction to reality TV

C. Critics’ relevant comments

D. Attractions for producers and participants

E. Definition of “watch and dial ”show

F. Introduction to new reality shows

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European television had the idea of taking ordinary people and turning them into “stars” by putting them in unusual situation. “Big Brother” (created in Holland) was one of the first. A group of people were locked in a small house with cameras running 24 hours a day. It was called a “watch and dial” show because viewers vote by telephone to decide who should leave or stay.

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“Big Brother” was probably the fist of the new reality shows, but such a programme has developed. Many have found appeal by having a theme to them, but most are based on the principle of “survival of the fittest” by eliminating participants as the series progresses. So we have the dating shows where winners either pair off or stay true to their partners outside the TV studio. Then there are those that test people’s abilities for specific jobs like running a kitchen, becoming an interior designer or a top model.

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Critics say these programmes are basically bad television, but people watch them. So why are there so many of them? For the viewer it’s an opportunity to “people watch”. It’s natural to like watching other people. They’re interesting. We can imagine what we would do in that situation. We get to know the characters and see them grow and develop week after week. And of course, television is the perfect place to watch people. Like the theatre or cinema we can look at other people and they can’t look back. But with television, we can watch in the privacy of our own homes. We watch, but we don’t have to admit it to anyone.

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The TV companies like reality shows because they are cheap to produce and attract younger viewers, which advertisers like. The last “Big Brother” in Britain attracted enormous advertising revenue. They aren’t dependent on “star” actors with enormous salaries. And your actors won’t go on strike. And why do people participate in them? Well, for fame and money of course. In the past, appearing on television wasn’t for ordinary people. You had to be good at something, like sport, or reading the news, or acting. But not any more (from www.nmet168.com)

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It seems that most shows do well at the beginning but then the viewing figures begin to fall. And it varies from country to country too. For example, one show had an adopted child try to guess the identity of her real father, and another had a family arguing over an inheritance. Both were cancelled after one episode. Perhaps the novelty has worn off. Certainly, reality TV seems to appeal much more to the younger audience. And now there are so many shows around even the young have become more critical. Reality show will probably survive—it’s just no longer so easy to make a successful one.

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