In the case of the "Reality shows", they are relatively cheap to produce, focus on trappings of wealth (temporary) like being set in exotic locales and big mansions, and of course utilize, celebrate, preach, reward and reinforce: rat-race individualism, greed, selfishness, intrigue, betrayal, egoism, narcissism, racism, sexism, homophobia, social darwinism, hard-body youth, phony patriotism, Machiavellianism, cut-throat competition, situational ethics, get-rich-quick, fear, national chauvinism, "civilization" versus "primitivism", crass materialism, predatory calculations of cost/benefit, etc etc.
There was a novel by Horace McCoy, set in the depression and called "They Shoot Horses Don't They?" It's set at a dance marathon--where poor people danced without sleep for weeks ...until they all dropped out but one couple...who won the money.. They made a pretty good movie, based on it, by the same title with Michael Sarazzin, Jane Fonda, Red Buttons, Gig Young, Susanna York....and god knows who else. That's all I can remember. The movie is available at Amazon in VHS and DVD.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-1890106-7097628
When the reality shows came out, they really reminded me of that movie. It would be vrey interesting to compare the two instances of this "genre."
Best,
Joanna
