TV Family: Behind the Scenes of the First Reality Television Program

Synopsis

In 1960, NBC transmitted what is widely considered to be the first "reality television" show in American broadcast history. Hosted by Jane Wyatt, and billing itself as a "new kind of visual reporting," it was called STORY OF A FAMILY, and documented the day-to-day lives of the 10-member Robertson family of Amarillo, Texas. While the show has since faded from public memory, media scholars and television historians have long recognised its significance as a precursor to the unscripted television programming that dominates American television today. In TV FAMILY, filmmaker Ethan Thompson draws on the recollections of several of the children featured in the show to offer a behind-the-scenes account of the making of STORY OF A FAMILY. Weaving personal anecdotes from the Robertsons with commentary from TV historians and cultural critics, Thompson tells the story of how the show’s producers carefully choreographed the way they wanted the family to appear to the American public -- all in the name of authenticity. The result is a look at one of the television industry’s earliest attempts to shape the "reality" of family life in commercially viable ways.

Language

English

Country

United States

Year of release

2015

Year of production

2015

Documentation

A subscripton service (rental or purchase) is available to colleges and universities.

Subjects

Media studies

Keywords

mass media; television broadcasting; television documentary films; Reality TV; Story of a Family (tv programme); family life

Credits

Director

Ethan Thompson

Writer

Ethan Thompson

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 1 NTSC

Price

$275

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

56 minutes

Year

2015

Distributor

Name

Media Education Foundation

Email

info@mediaed.org

Web

http://www.mediaed.org External site opens in new window

Phone

+1 413 584 8500

Fax

+1 413 586 8398

Address

60 Masonic Street
Northampton
Massachusetts 01060
USA

Notes

The MEF produces and distributes documentary films and other educational resources to inspire critical reflection on the social, political and cultural impact of the mass media, particularly in the US, with emphasis on gender, health, politics, race and commercialism. Sale on DVD.