Scripted reality

Scripted reality (sometimes also euphemized as structured reality) in television and entertainment is a subgenre of reality television with major or typically all parts of the contents being scripted, i.e. pre-arranged by the production company and thus fictional. As in the supergenre, emphasis is on drama, stereotypes, personae, and subjective elements at the expense of socio-politically, environmentally, etc. relevant topics. Typical examples are docudramas and court shows or legal dramas.

While there is considerable overlap in the usage of the terms scripted reality TV and reality TV, the scripted variant will never leave the plot or the story's outcome to chance whereas the latter may compensate for chance elements with highlighting suitably entertaining parts of an otherwise real story. Scripted reality can be "custom-made" to suit the TV consumer's taste and may adapt formats to waning public interest.

The major risk with scripted reality formats is in the subliminal influence such shows or series may have on the consumer, who may involuntarily adapt behaviours, opinions and attitudes from wholly virtual personae in (despite the format's name and the industry's attempts at authenticity) largely unrealistic settings.

Producers

Notable producers include

• MTV (e.g. Real World)
• Pop (U.S. TV network)
• RTL Television
• TF1
• TruTV

Awards

• Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Structured Reality Program
• Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Structured Reality Show

See also

• Criticism of reality television
• Infotainment
• Politainment