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Be A Reality TV Star

by John Byrne
November 2004

John Byrne is the Stage's Dear John advice columnist, a showbusiness life coach and the author of several bestselling career guides for performers and writers. He is also a regular broadcaster on TV and radio.

Opportunities... (let's make lots of money)

The flood of reality shows in every part of the schedules is less about creating opportunities to get on TV and more about creating opportunities for producers to get away with cheap programme formats. However, whether it's a talent show or a makeover series, it's one that many beginners and the occasional professional may be considering to raise their profile. John Byrne raises some questions you need to consider before deciding if a particular show will help your career.

Research your role

1. If there have been previous series of the show and you haven't already seen them, do some research. Besides your own reactions get a cross section of opinions from people who have seen the show. Bear in mind that subsequent series of successful shows usually incorporate new elements and variations on the format - as with the most recent series of Big Brother with its much touted evil element, although nasty and desperate was probably closer to the mark.

If the show is a new one be aware that the way the programme makers describe it and the way it turns out can be very different. Sometimes this is down to deliberate misdirection, but as in the recent Kings of Comedy show where the promised phone voting system was abandoned, it can also happen through good old fashioned cock-up. You will now have a whole range of diverse and mutually exclusive pieces of advice. So whatever decision you make, make sure it's your own. Make it not just on the pros and cons of the show itself or based on how much money you are offered but also on what are your long term career goals?

If it's a 'challenge' type show, in the style of Fear Factor or I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, do bear in mind that anything you list as a 'phobia' will no doubt be introduced by the producers. If you're not prepared to eat a sack-full of fish eyes (vegetarians, take note) or have maggots and spiders stuffed down your trousers, then it's probably best not to apply in the first place.

Stage presence, marketing and watchability

2. Understand that the criteria for entry and progress in reality shows tends to be less about talent - be it singing or interior decoration - and more about what makes 'good television'. If you're volatile, quirky or just strange in some way this will probably help but resist the temptation to fake these qualities in the audition. Unlike a straight acting job, it is very difficult to sustain a false front under the permanent glare of reality cameras and when the mask slips you'll look like a fraud. Not a great market placement.

Self awareness

3. Realise that the key feature of Reality TV is the edit. You can perform spectacularly well during the shoot and be the most popular member of the house or the live audience favourite but selective editing can effortlessly transform you into the villain or even the nonentity of the broadcast show. It is very unlikely that you will have any say in the editing so it is pointless being paranoid about it - just remember that while editors can twist something you did say or do, they can't invent something you didn't do. So don't say or do anything in what you think is privacy that you wouldn't want viewers or your fellow participants to see.

The past that comes back to haunt you

4. Make a list of every unwise decision and mistake you have ever made in your private and personal life. Add in every bad habit you have and top off with every lie that's ever been told about you. Now imagine each one splashed across the tabloids inflated out of all proportion and presented in the worst possible light, accompanied by a running commentary from people whose only talent is knocking other people. If you're brave enough and the series is high profile enough you may want to share your list with your family so at least they've heard it from you first. It may well turn out that the press isn't interested in you or the show at all (for some of us, that would be an even worse disaster!) Either way you will be going in with eyes open and knowing you are accepting the consequences of your actions.

Looking on the bright side

5. Having said all that, enjoy the experience. If it all goes wrong nobody but you will remember in a month or two anyhow. And if it all goes well, there's a good chance nobody but you will remember in a month or two either. Although reality formats may a be a shortcut to TV exposure, you'll need to be prepared to work hard afterwards to translate any exposure you do get into a long term career. Spending a few minutes exploring the other How To guides on this website might be a very good way to stretch your 15 minutes of reality fame beyond its allotted time.