Game shows, Talent shows and the ideology of

competition

By Tom Chan, Will Cole, Sacha Curtecka

Main focus points

• Dominant ideology of capitalism in game shows.

• Celebrity culture in our society.

• Why are games shows still so popular?

How the game show format has evolved:

Our hierarchy of game shows:

How does the ideology of capitalism dominate game shows?

• ‘individuals are constructed as different but equal in opportunity’ (Fiske, J 1987) e.g. Deal or no Deal

• ‘to live a good life is to live a winning life’ (Sharif, course guide)

• Dominant classes, through media output, project their views and ideologies on their audience.

Celebrity Culture and its naturalisation within our society: •What’s the significance of celebrity culture in modern society •How has it been naturalised within game shows

•‘Fame I’m going to live forever!’- why do we want it and how this need has effected our society?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8429704.stm

Why are Game Shows still so popular?

• Passive or Active audience?

• It is entertaining to watch people fail.

• ‘Pure entertainment or distraction’

Discussion Questions