Something unexpected is happening in reality TV.
Long the province of cynical, venal behavior, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and now “Three Wishes” have ushered in an era of kinder, gentler reality. The worthy are rewarded, while conniving is not; no participants are depicted as boobs who deserve condescending sniggers.
Hearts, above all, are warmed.
“Reality TV for a long time was based on cruelty and a sort of diabolical mischief,” says Daniel Kucan, designer for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” “This show demonstrates that viewers are interested in a greater sense of selflessness. It’s been said that we’re a ‘Jerry Springer’ nation, and I don’t think that’s true. I think we’re an ‘Extreme Makeover’ nation, a nation of huge hearts and extreme generosity.”
Recently, the series teamed up with First Lady Laura Bush for an episode in Biloxi, Miss., one of the towns hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. Her press secretary says the first lady wanted to be on the program because she shares the “same principles” that the producers have.
Perhaps most significantly, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” boasts a host of imitators this season. NBC’s “Three Wishes” offers aid to needy small-town residents; that network’s “The Biggest Loser,” in its second season, helps overweight contestants become healthier. At midseason, ABC will premiere “Miracle Worker,” highlighting medical extreme makeovers. In syndication, “HomeTeam” helps deserving families realize the dream of homeownership. “Random 1,” featuring a duo doing good deeds for complete strangers, debuts in November on A&E.
“If we’ve ushered in a trend where people pack up their television shows and head out in the country and help people, then bring it on,” Forman says.
Amy Grant, host of “Three Wishes,” says the way her show is structured, what happens on camera is only the surface of the good being done. Those waiting in line to reveal their wishes to the producers often end up doing good themselves.
“In New Mexico, a woman came up to me and said, ‘My wish is that the wish would come true for the woman standing in front of me,’ ” Grant says. “People are talking to each other–how novel.”
But even this brand of reality has detractors, decrying the shows’ exploitative and manipulative portrayals of the needy. Karla Peterson, San Diego Union-Tribune TV critic, calls the trend “corn porn.”
“It exploits the people it purports to help for ratings and advertising,” including copious product placement, Peterson says. “They don’t trust that we’ll be moved, so they bash us in the face with our Kleenex boxes. Where one slow-motion shot would suffice, they use 20.”
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Feel-good lineup
“EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION” (ABC)
What: Deserving families get new digs.
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When: 7 p.m. Sundays
“Three Wishes” (right) (NBC)
What: Needy small-town residents are assisted. On this Friday’s special two-hour show, victims of Hurricane Katrina find a new home in the heartland.
When: 8 p.m. Fridays
“THE BIGGEST LOSER” (NBC)
What: Reality competition encourages contestants to adapt healthy lifestyles.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesdays
“HOMETEAM”
What: Deserving individuals are assisted in their quest for homeownership.
Where/when: Syndicated, 2 p.m. Sundays on WCIU-Ch. 26.–l.a. daily news
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Edited by Curt Wagner ([email protected]) and Kris Karnopp ([email protected])