Read the two readings and watch the two screenings, then answer the four questions.
Readings:
Laura Grindstaff and Susan Murray, “Reality Celebrity: Branded Affect and the Emotion Economy” (2015)
Michael Lovelock, “Catching a Catfish: Constructing the “Good” Social Media User in Reality Television” (2017)
Screenings:
The Real Housewives of Orange County, season 1, episode 1 (2006)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1adCI3GNo_aIf7BQB7de8mc34iou5nhzj/view?usp=sharing
Catfish: The TV Show, season 8, episode 34 (2021)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17BolYH0zilZ9Id6Z5kV4v__YgopRKK5b/view?usp=sharing
Please respond to the following four questions in full sentences. Each response should be around 100 words. When possible, make specific references to the original text or media object.
1. How would you paraphrase (summarize in your own words) Grindstaff and Murray’s main points about how reality TV has changed media celebrity? What do they say is the role that emotion/affect play in constructing the form of celebrity associated with reality TV?
2. Grindstaff and Murray dedicate a section of their article to the Real Housewives franchise. Pick one scene in the episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County that you watch and explain how it illustrates or challenges the authors’ points about the show.
3. How would you paraphrase (summarize in your own words) Lovelock’s main points about how selfhood and identity are represented through Catfish? In what ways does he say that the show comments on authentic selfhood on social media?
4. This episode of Catfish is from the most recent season; there are similarities and differences with the show as it is described in Lovelock’s article. How do you see questions of selfhood appearing in this episode? What does it seem to say about performing an authentic self?
