“bad” media objects and the audiences that love them. To the surprise of a college student, shows like Judge Judy and Jersey Shore were questioned as true reality TV. What distinguishes the classics from current hits like Too Hot to Handle or The Circle? Emily Nussbaum’s Cue the Sun! explores the rich history of reality TV, tracing its roots back to programs like An American Family, COPS, and The Real World. From Lance Loud’s groundbreaking authenticity to Survivor’s commercial success, Nussbaum unravels the complex world of reality television, tackling issues of representation, exploitation, and its entanglement with commercialism and the internet.
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/to-be-real-on-emily-nussbaums-cue-the-sun/