What Makes a Good Reality Show?

Sometime back we revealed the top five events in Kenya. Today we’ll highlight the factors that make a good reality show. Most of us are fans because we have realized that watching reality television truly makes us realize how “normal” our lives are and how screwed up so many others around us can be. So what are the secrets behind their success?

#Make the prize something worth being on TV for
This is why Tusker Project Fame has been around for long. This show offers 5 million Kenyan shillings to ultimate winner of the 8 weeks show. The truth is, people want the money so they turn out in large numbers during auditions and those who make it into the house work as hard as they can.

# Showcase people with talent
Sakata Dance Competition and Tusker Project Fame (TPF) are great shows that give undiscovered talent a chance to prove themselves. These shows are created to give the contestants a “leg up” in an otherwise extremely competitive business. Plus it is so nice to see truly talented people finally get their due.

# Get popular and attractive hosts
As much as I hate to admit it, any reality show producer MUST have a fairly popular and attractive host. From Sheila Mwanyigha, to Wahu, to Lilian Muli, and even Dr. Mitch Egwang’, all of these hosts have looks, charisma and knowledge of their show. They always speak well and are never boring.

# Drama, Drama, Drama
Every reality show has to have “high school like” drama. This is what keeps fans coming back. For instance, the girls have to “fight” for the hottest guy on the show and vice versa, the guys are complaining about food sufficiency and the judges (or one of them) have to be egomaniacs for all fans to love to hate them.

# Emotion is the key
Finally, a great reality show must deliver the moments that make viewers mad or make them cry all at the same time. Viewers care about they are watching. If that means leaving them hanging until the next episode, do it because they will watch. It’s normal for viewers to get mad at the producers for making them wait to see who gets eliminated but it’s guaranteed that viewers will have the television on the minute the next episode comes on.

In a nutshell, the only way to make the show great is by making the people at home care enough to allow those people to stay on television and complete the task at hand.