It came to my attention earlier that tomorrow marks the final of the latest Big Brother series – the 'end of the new beginning'.
I did not find this out through being bombarded with adverts on the television. Nor did I read about it in articles among the various newspapers and website I read to keep up to date with current affairs. I haven't even seen it plastered all over Twitter, the domain that has become synonymous with social commentary while watching television. No, I was emailed with a seemingly desperate offer of free tickets to the live final.
This fact in itself shows the fall of the once-king of reality television. I've never been a particular fan, but you couldn't go anywhere without reading or hearing people talk about it around the proverbial water cooler. Social etiquette almost demanded that you were aware of whatever mundane 'scandal' was going on in the house. Now, the resurrected programme on Channel 5 looks like it could well be crucified once more.
On a similar note, The X Factor – its main rival for reality television dominance in recent years – has also gone under a transformation. Much was made initially of the new line-up of judges, until it shared the same fate as Big Brother – a drop in audience participation, a lack in concern and, ultimately, a lack of coverage.
To date, I have watched a grand total of one X Factor show this year, and none of Big Brother. This time last year, I would have been forced to sit through hours each and every weekend in the run-up to Christmas. But the fact that everyone else, the wider public and media alike, is obviously losing interest brings the question: is this the end of reality television? Is The X Factor turning into The Ex-Factor?
I did not find this out through being bombarded with adverts on the television. Nor did I read about it in articles among the various newspapers and website I read to keep up to date with current affairs. I haven't even seen it plastered all over Twitter, the domain that has become synonymous with social commentary while watching television. No, I was emailed with a seemingly desperate offer of free tickets to the live final.
This fact in itself shows the fall of the once-king of reality television. I've never been a particular fan, but you couldn't go anywhere without reading or hearing people talk about it around the proverbial water cooler. Social etiquette almost demanded that you were aware of whatever mundane 'scandal' was going on in the house. Now, the resurrected programme on Channel 5 looks like it could well be crucified once more.
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| Is The X Factor turning into The Ex-Factor? |
On a similar note, The X Factor – its main rival for reality television dominance in recent years – has also gone under a transformation. Much was made initially of the new line-up of judges, until it shared the same fate as Big Brother – a drop in audience participation, a lack in concern and, ultimately, a lack of coverage.
To date, I have watched a grand total of one X Factor show this year, and none of Big Brother. This time last year, I would have been forced to sit through hours each and every weekend in the run-up to Christmas. But the fact that everyone else, the wider public and media alike, is obviously losing interest brings the question: is this the end of reality television? Is The X Factor turning into The Ex-Factor?
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