Non Fiction Trends

Deal or No Deal / Endemol International

Less "stars", more "talents". Less "reality", more "variety"...

The offer in game shows has been increasing after the worldwide success of "Deal or no Deal". The producers are challenged to be on par with "Deal or No Deal" in the concept's accessibility and universality. What's in the suitcase (or the box)? Game shows require only luck, like a poker game played at random. Generally the contestant has a 50/50 chance of winning. Last summer's success of "American's Got Talent" in the USA centers talent shows on the winning formula: debatable talent, inflexible judges, viewing audience's verdict. Less "stars", more "talents". Less "reality", more "variety".

Reality TV is rehabilitating closeting. The situation of a psychological in camera situation is at the center of several new reality game shows. Launched last season in the USA, "Unan1mous", set inside a bunker, has been spreading to Europe. In the Netherlands, "De gouden kooi" ("Golden cage") goes back to "Big Brother"'s roots. In "The Box" in Ireland, quiz contestants live in a glass cube.

In the world of entertainment, celebrities are doing the show. They perform in old music-hall-style variety shows. Celebrities also show their acting skills. The beginning of the season has been marked by a stream of ice skating competitions pitting celebrities against each other, and celebrity ballroom dancing hasn't disappeared. After «coaching» galore, factual entertainment is now focusing on weight issues.

Source: The WIT / Extra Cool Report