Q&A with TV Week

Image Courtesy of ten play.com.au

Emma Norris, a Journalist from TV Week, took some time out during her busy week of covering the 56th Logie Awards for a quick Q&A about Reality TV and the impact it’s having on the Logie Awards.

Q. Scott Cam won the Gold Logie and beat big TV personalities such as Asher Keddie and Andy Lee, do you think this says a lot about Reality TV and just how popular it is?

A. Absolutely! I have to admit I was a little surprised about Scott picking up the Gold Logie, I thought that Asher Keddie would have had it in the bag for sure. I think it all comes back to the huge following reality shows like The Block have in Australia, not only do viewers fall in love with the shows but they also fall in love with the people in them (and Scott has hosted The Block for a good five years.) I think it also comes back to the relatable ‘every man’ factor- Scott Cam is a carpenter (and I suppose, a ‘typical Aussie larrikin’) who has been able to carve out a successful career in the media, which would certainly ramp up his popularity.

Q. Is Reality TV becoming more and more popular?

A. I would say that over the last decade reality TV has become just as popular, if not more, than scripted programs. I think their success can be partially attributed to the fact that compared to a lot of scripted TV shows, reality shows can be quite low-cost to produce but still reel in a huge audience. My prediction is that in the future as new show formats emerge, the popularity of reality TV is just going to continue to grow and grow.

Q. MKR won the Logie for the Most Popular Reality TV Program, was that a shock?

A. Not at all! This series of My Kitchen Rules has consistently dominated its time slot in terms of ratings, so it definitely has a huge fan following! Not only that, but there’s been so much hype and drama around the show (whether it’s the feud between Kelly and Chloe and Vikki and Helena or the speculated flirting between Bianca and Christo) that it’s kept people talking throughout the whole series- and that counts for a lot. I did think that The Block Sky High was in with a chance in this category, but ultimately it’s no surprise that My Kitchen Rules was the fan favourite.

Q. What do you think makes that show so popular?

A. It’s all about the drama! While I’m sure people do enjoy the cooking aspect of it (Australians are becoming more and more obsessed with cuisine and fine dining, and that is reflected in the growing popularity of shows like MasterChef and My Kitchen Rules) it’s the conflict between contestants that keeps people watching! I also think that shows like My Kitchen Rules appeal to the ‘every man’. Unlike reality shows like Real Housewives of Melbourne or Australia’s Next Top Model (which could be described as ‘aspirational’) viewers find the contestants on My Kitchen Rules relatable, which in turn makes them more invested in what goes on in the show.

 

A Look at the Logies

The Block host Scott Cam has won the Gold Logie for 2014. The carpenter turned television presenter thanked former producers who assisted him early in his career, cameramen, the Nine network, his co-host Shelly Craft, Block judges and of course his family.

While accepting his award he said, “This is really fantastic – to be in this position you’ve got to have a great show to work on and I’ve got a great show with The Block. We put together a show that families and kids love to watch. I really love being part of the Channel Nine family. They’ve been extremely loyal to me.” He finished by joking, “I guarantee you this will not be a door stop at my place.”

Scott Cam takes home the Gold Logie for 2014. Photo Courtesy of http://iris.theaureview.com

 

Scott Cam was up against five other nominees for the Most Popular Personality on TV. They were:

• Andy Lee (Hamish & Andy’s Gap Year Asia, Nine Network)

• Asher Keddie (Nina Proudman, Offspring, Network Ten)

• Carrie Bickmore (The Project, Network Ten)

• Essie Davis (Phryne Fisher, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, ABC1)

• Stephen Peacocke (Darryl ‘Brax’ Braxton, Home and Away, Channel Seven)

With Cam taking out the Gold Logie for 2014, this is a big win for Reality TV. Having gone up against such popular and strong personalities such Andy Lee and Asher Keddie, (2013’s Gold Logie winner) and beaten them, demonstrates just how popular Reality TV really is.

While Scott Cam may have won the Gold Logie, My Kitchen Rules beat not one, but two series of The Block – Sky High and All Stars in the category of Most Popular Reality TV show. Manu seemed a little overwhelmed as he accepted the award. “The final is on Tuesday so watch it again, because we’re amazing,” he said.

While the Logies are over for another year, we still have a lot to look forward to with Australian Reality TV shows. Tomorrow is the season premiere of House Rules and coming up is the final for So You Think You Can Dance Australia. The Voice and The Voice Kids is also set to hit our screens soon and another season of The Block will air towards the end of the year. Watch this space for more information on these shows.