Instant celebrity knowledge – reality TV stars of Big Brother in Slovenia

Ethnographic exhibitions at the turn of the 20th century displayed a spectacle where people were exhibited in an artificially created environment that looked similar to their dwelling. They lived there and did everyday things whilst people observed them.

Problem

Ethnographic exhibitions at the turn of the 20th century displayed a spectacle where people were exhibited in an artificially created environment that looked similar to their dwelling. They lived there and did everyday things whilst people observed them. Today's spectacles, which play on their small screens, reality shows, are not far from those old ethnographic exhibitions.

A reality show is a type of television programme in which the script is not written in advance. The events that are shown actually happen and are not fictional or staged. Reality shows are also characterised by the fact that ordinary people appear in them (usually eager for fame and media attention) and not trained actors.

Commercial television POP TV offered viewers the licensed programme of the world's most famous reality show, Big Brother. Behind the closed doors of the Big Brother house, the rules of the master, who has no face, apply. Big Brother nevertheless sees and hears everything.

He demands absolute obedience and tolerance and forbids violence. He is strict but fair. He punishes impartially and rewards fairly.

He is the one who selects housemates for secret missions and assigns them tasks; they must respect his house rules and carry out his orders without objection. No one has ever applied to reality shows to genuinely have fun. Sooner or later, the desire for money and fame, which are supposedly meant only for winners, prevails.

These same instant stars eventually sink in their desire to be part of show business and sell themselves even more cheaply as 'models' at various trade fairs as hostesses or presenters, until they finally sink into oblivion. The very first programme achieved excellent ratings and response. An average of 10.5% of viewers aged 18 to 89 watched it.

Big Brother recorded an even greater response amongst those aged 18 to 34, with 11.6% viewership or a 49% share at that time. Another very interesting and shocking fact. More than 4,000 cards were sold, enabling 24-hour viewing on the internet.

Numerous participants became famous, some only for a short time.