Abstract
This chapter begins by reviewing the early marginalisation of disabled people in formats such as Big Brother and their subsequent visibility in shows such as Born This Way and The Dream House. In doing so, it offers new insights into the relationship between reality TV communities and what Biressi terms ‘para-TV communities’. In addition, focusing on the docusoap The Specials, it explores the political problems and possibilities inherent in reality TV communities that feature young people with intellectual disabilities. Here the author asks: ‘In what ways might reality TV be viewed as establishing ideal communities and how might these intersect with the community experiences of disabled people?’ Overall, this chapter develops the argument that critical readings of these formats should be worked through in the context of the political, economic and social realities, which constrain or enable disabled people in their everyday lives.
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Notes
- 1.
In fact, in the most recent BB (2015), only two contestants were over the age of 30. See http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s149/big-brother/news/a646537/meet-the-big-brother-contestants–from-a-calvin-klein-model-to-glamorous-socialite-twins.html#~ppjNBeqX4ZJiDX(accessed 27 March 2017).
- 2.
In 2009 the TV drama Castoffs (C4) nicely satirised both reality TV and the politics of casting via a six-part ‘mockumentary’ drama featuring disabled actors (see Klein 2011).
- 3.
http://simonstevens74.businesscatalyst.com/wheelies-story.html (accessed 27 March 2017).
- 4.
Opening ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOrFW3Myz_A (accessed 27 March 2017). See also ‘Big Brother Enters Virtual World’, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6122140.stm (accessed 27 March 2017).
- 5.
In correspondence with the author, 12 February 2016.
- 6.
See, for example, the Mandeville sisters, who address the growth of their ‘YouTube community’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYqsrfoTCro (accessed 27 March 2017). For a concise discussion of the concept of community in relation to digital social worlds, see Pink et al. (2016, pp. 105–107).
- 7.
http://www.channel4.com/4disabledtalent/index.html (accessed 27 March 2017).
- 8.
Intellectual disability connotes both a diagnostic (medical) and social category (i.e. that disability is constructed and socially produced; Rapley 2004). The Specials participant Lewis is diagnosed with Williams Syndrome.
- 9.
http://www.the-specials.com/buzz (accessed 27 March 2017).
- 10.
http://webbyawards.com/features/webby-winners-the-specials-own-tv (accessed 27 March 2017).
- 11.
In fact, there have been similar shows in Sweden: I En Annan del av Köping (TV4, 2007–2010) and Norway Tangerudbakken Borettslag (TVNorge, 2009–2014).
- 12.
Channel 4’s problematically titled show The Undateables (2012–), for example, arranged dates for physically or developmentally disabled or disfigured individuals and those with long-term medical conditions looking for love. Its promotion and packaging naturally raised concerns around freak-show voyeurism, a concern commonly expressed about this type of show but arguably doubly-loaded once sex, sexuality and disability are foregrounded (see Gill 2012; Morrison 2012). As a constructed reality series with a voice-over narration, the series’ warmth and engaging humour was arguably tempered by its framing and promotional devices, which established disabled people as socially inadequate and therefore at the margins of community life.
- 13.
http://www.artemisfilms.com/productions/the-dreamhouse (accessed 27 March 2017).
- 14.
See more at: http://www.ndss.org/Resources/Transition-and-Beyond/Housing-Options/#sthash.TttXjI5m.dpuf (accessed 27 March 2017).
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Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Catalin Brylla for his detailed, shrewd and thought-provoking feedback on earlier drafts of this chapter.
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Biressi, A. (2017). Disability and the Para-TV Communities of Reality Television. In: Brylla, C., Hughes, H. (eds) Documentary and Disability. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59894-3_14
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