National & Regional Identity - Reality Television

I will be exploring how reality t.v programmes like 'Geordie Shore','The only way Is Essex' and 'Made in Chelsea' represent the specific region displayed in the title in both positive and negative ways. Regional dialect,accents and specific activities the various groups may partake in are usually all evident in this particular genre of television, possibly giving the passive audience the impression that these activities are the normality for the people situated in these areas. These television programmes also often play on stereotypes in order to engage the audience possibly for the intention of entertainment or to make the experience relatable for people who recognise the particular slang used or activities/locations that are ongoing and constantly shown through out the show. These stereotypes usually resulting in the characters featured in these shows being rather archetypal as they are put in place in order to inform the audience of an element about the chosen region often resulting in characters that only one intention and consequently have a very shallow depth of character. One key example of this is how 'Scotty T's' only intentions through out the 'Geordie Shore' series is to go out and 'pull birds', this archetypal character possibly being relatable to the viewer or recognisable in the viewers group of friends, resulting in an entertaining experience due to 'Scotty T's' actions and personality possibly being funny for viewers maybe due to him being relatable in some way, or again humorous for viewers unable to relate to the programme due to his stupidity displayed through out the programme.