投稿類別：英文寫作

篇名： A Dream Come True? The Rapid Rise of Reality Singing Competition Programs

作者：

郭羿瑄。國立新竹女中。高二一班 廖宗筠。國立新竹女中。高二一班

指導老師： 曾郁芬老師

A Dream Come True? The Rapid Rise of Reality Singing Competition Programs

I. Introduction

Have you ever heard of , a famous who became an overnight sensation after he participated in Top Million Star (2007-2011)? Do you know Susan Boyle who shot to fame because of her performance in Britain’s Got Talent (2007-2017)? They were both nobody originally. However, they became somebody overnight by competing in the reality singing competition programs. Another recent example is Bichen Zhang, a new generation singer rising to fame from (2012-2015), a Chinese reality singing competition program. Obviously, such kind of programs has become a novel yet popular way of adding new blood to the entertainment industry.

The reality singing competition program is a genre of television programs that present unscripted real-life singing contests. The competitors, including celebrities and talented ordinary people, vie for the championship in reality television, the process being recorded and released nationwide or even worldwide. Another significant characteristic of the program is that the judges are prominent celebrities in the musical industry, which causes the fans of these famous singers to be crazy about the programs.

In the past few years, this kind of reality show has sprung up all around the world, with and China being no exception. In 2007, Top Million Star, produced by a Taiwanese company, was known as the best selling TV program in Taiwan at that time. In 2012, the Chinese reality show The Voice became the most popular TV singing program in Taiwan. Owing to the great popularity of Top Million Star and The Voice, these two programs are chosen for our analysis.

In our research, we aim to dig into the causes behind the popularity of reality singing competition programs. We attempt to acquire valid results by using questionnaires to obtain opinions of teenagers on reality singing competition programs, hoping to gain a comprehensive understanding on our research topic.

II. Thesis

1. The Voice

The Voice was initially produced by Radio Télévision Luxembourg 4(RTL4) in the Netherlands. It had caused such a sensation that many other countries, such as the US, Germany, France, and China, began to introduce this program to their audience in 2011. In our thesis, we will simply focus on , which has made quite an impact on Taiwanese television industry.

1 A Dream Come True? The Rapid Rise of Reality Singing Competition Programs The Voice in different nations was produced and presented in different ways; yet, what’s in common is the blind audition. “Blind audition” is a kind of audition where the judges can’t see the contestants when they sing because they turn their backs on them. If the judges admire the voice of the contestants and want to accept them as their team members, they will push a button in front of their seats. Then, their chairs will turn around so that the judges can face the contestants.

2. Top Million Star

Top Million Star is a local Taiwanese program produced by Gin Star Entertainment Co., a noted entertainment company in Taiwan in 2007. It is known for the large-scale audition which every contestant has to attend. If the competitors get more than 15 out of 30 points from the judges, they are allowed into the next session. Top Million Star is characteristic of weekly themed events, such as songs from hell or heaven. Every week, the contestants will be informed in advance of its theme, and they are expected to give performances by singing songs that correspond to it.

3. Characteristics of reality singing competition programs

3.1 Amateur contestants and famous judges

Most of the contestants are not professional singers. Some of them don’t even major in singing or study music. Most of them are ordinary people.

Famous singers such as , , and Amei are invited as judges in The Voice. On the other hand, a lot of famous stars in Taiwan are judges in Top Million Star. For example, Tiger Huang, who used to be a popular singer in the 90s, is one of the permanent judges in Top Million Star.

3.2 Heartwarming atmosphere

Both The Voice and Top Million Star are known for their heartwarming atmosphere. Instead of stressful competitiveness, they portray warm and supportive connections among contestants. In The Voice, there are four different “families,” which are led respectively by the four judges. The contestants can select which family to go to once they’ve passed the blind audition. The “family members” together practice singing skills, helping each other towards the end of the contest. At certain point, the members within the same family have to compete against each other. However, instead of overwhelming tension, they reveal genuine care for each other.

In Top Million Star, those who are chosen in the open audition belong to the same “family,” with all the judges acting as teachers who offer them suggestions on how to improve their singing skills. In the process of the training, the contestants spend such great deal of time together as if they 2 A Dream Come True? The Rapid Rise of Reality Singing Competition Programs were brothers and sisters. Though eventually they have to compete against each other for the championship, the outcome isn’t what matters; it is the bond built among the family members that counts.

3.3 Sense of Reality

As its name “reality singing competition programs” suggests, most of the audience look forward to seeing what really happens during the competition. In a way, it satisfies people’s curiosity because it used to be unknown or hidden from the public. Take The Voice for example. Every time before the contestants give their performances, videos that record their training and practice sessions are shown to the audience, in which their efforts, their frustration and their perseverance are faithfully revealed. During the competition, it always interests the audience to see whether the contestants hold great composure on stage, or how they deal with unexpected crises. Moreover, the complicated feelings and mental struggle of the judges make the audience gain a sense of reality, as if they were the participants waiting for the result or the judges tortured by the dilemma of deciding who is to stay. In Top Million Star, the judges will make remarks about the contestants’ performances. Some are positive and encouraging, while some are bitter and offensive. The contestants’ reactions to the remarks are faithfully recorded and released, and their emotions are sometimes contagious enough to make the audience laugh or cry with them.

Unlike most TV programs which are aired after production, reality singing competition programs make people feel that they are right in the scene with the contestants.

4. Questionnaire results and discussions

The participants of our survey were recruited from Hsinchu Girls’ High School, in total of 116. The average age of our participants was 17. The questionnaire was designed to investigate the elements that attracted the audience to watch reality singing competition programs. There are 13 elements listed on the questionnaire for the participants to choose from, such as amateur contestants, professional judges, elaborate studio production, or tense atmosphere. Participants are also free to express their opinions regarding such kind of programs. The results of the questionnaires are presented and analyzed in the following three parts.

4.1 Audience’s attraction to reality singing competition programs

As exhibited in Figure 1, the top three elements that lead to people’s attraction to reality singing competition programs are singing skills, amateur contestants, with diverse competition themes and competition systems both ranked third. What’s worth mentioning is that real reactions of contestants as well as judges are also significant elements that prompt the viewers to tune in.

3 A Dream Come True? The Rapid Rise of Reality Singing Competition Programs

Figure 1: Elements that attract audiences

Based on the rankings of these elements, it is obvious that the major reason for which the audiences enjoy watching reality singing competition programs is to immerse themselves in beautiful voices. Though people can always hear songs sung by professional singers, it is far more thrilling to hear equally beautiful or even better voice from an ordinary person just like they are. That is, it is like a dream come true, the dream deep in one’s heart. Many people may have ever had the dream of singing onstage with hundreds of eyes glued to them, yet few can realize it. As a result, watching ordinary people perform in singing programs gives them a chance to review what they once desire. In other words, reality singing competition programs leave something to the imagination for its audience. In addition to the magic of music, people are once again convinced that they stand a chance of accomplishing what they yearn for.

One thing that makes reality singing competition programs stand out is its diversity. Compared to other TV programs which stick to the same procedures and repeat the same activities, reality singing competition programs make use of innovative competition systems and different weekly themes to keep its audience interested. Furthermore, the changing weekly themes each week can satisfy the diverse preferences of the audience. Elderly people may feel a sense of nostalgia when listening to old songs, reminding them of their bright youth. Younger generation may feel excited when listening to popular hip-hop music. Couples feel sweet and romantic while those who have just gone over a breakup feel healed when listening to love songs. To sum up, the diversity of reality singing competition programs have made such program more than something entertaining. Instead, it is a multifunctional program which not only gives its audience thrill and delight but also provides them a chance to be mentally and spiritually satisfied. 4 A Dream Come True? The Rapid Rise of Reality Singing Competition Programs

Besides the top three elements that attract people to reality singing competition programs, there are other ones that require further explanation. To provide a more detailed analysis of our findings, the results of our survey will be presented and investigated in the following two parts.

4.1.1 Famous judges

Famous judges are considered vital in the reality singing competition programs for two reasons. First, the professional and constructive advice given on contestants’ performances by the judges is the highlight for a majority of viewers. As revealed from the results of our questionnaire, participants pointed out that they watch the show for the professional comments from the judges. They not only learn skills of singing but also become convinced of the judges’ professionalism. Hovland, Janis and Kelley (1953) has pointed out that expertness is one of the main features which can decide on the credibility of the programs. Namely, the audiences watch TV program because they believe in what the “experts” have said and what the TV station has produced.

The other possible reason is that the famous judges are mostly celebrities, particularly those in the entertainment industry. Their presence at the show will directly attract their fans to tune in. By inviting celebrities to be part of the show, the TV station is actually building a loyal audience to ensure high audience ratings.

4.1.2 Sense of reality

As indicated in 3.3, reality singing competition programs give its audience a sense of reality. In the questionnaires we collected, many participants pointed out the feeling of right there in the scene is what greatly appeals to them when watching programs. Since there is no knowing what will happen next, the audience experience stress or delight as the contestants do. Though they feel as sad or happy as those onstage, they don’t have to really endure the frustration from losing the game. Thus, we can say that the audience can not only enjoy the contest as if they were right in the scene but also avoid the disappointing results, which is obviously an irresistible lure to them.

On the other hand, the sense of reality people get from watching reality singing competition programs can also satisfy people’s curiosity by sneaking a peek at what they used to be forbidden from. Watching the show with the guilt of peeping others is exciting and interesting, which will indirectly lead to people’s addiction to reality singing competition shows.

4.1.3 Atmosphere

A few of our participants considered heartwarming atmosphere the most tempting element that attracts them. In reality singing competition programs, heartwarming atmosphere is composed of 5 A Dream Come True? The Rapid Rise of Reality Singing Competition Programs two parts: the interaction among contestants and the judges, and the feelings of sympathy aroused by the personal stories of contestants.

Most of our participants pointed out that they experience feelings of being loved when seeing people in the programs treat each other like family members. A sense of belonging is fostered, bringing the audience and the contestants as well as judges together. E. Fromm (1941), a neo-psychoanalyst, defined “a sense of belonging” as “people’s needs to love and be loved by others.” Some of the audiences may thus find it satisfying to watch the programs, for they can experience the intimate emotional connection just as the people in the program.

The personal stories of contestants are another highlight in reality singing competition programs. Since contestants are from all walks of life, the audience can easily find someone with similar backgrounds to identify with. People who come from humble backgrounds may be deeply moved by the contestant who comes from a poor family yet struggles to realize his or her dream. Housewives may be greatly inspired seeing someone like them stand onstage and sing to make her stories known to everyone. As indicated in the research of van Zoonen (2004), the relationships between fans and their idols are based on the interrelation between affection and identification. By identifying with the contestants’ personal experiences, affection grows and the audience is very likely to turn into their fans.

III. Conclusion

In recent years, reality singing competition programs are rising so rapidly that the ratings for such programs have gone shooting up. Based on the analysis of the questionnaires distributed to 17-year-old teenage students, four principal elements of reality singing competition programs appeal to them the most: singing skills of the participants, amateur contestants, innovative competition systems as well as diverse weekly themes. That is to say, viewers are steeped in the beautiful voice of people onstage. They enjoy seeing ordinary people as contestants give it their all pursuing their dreams. And the majority of them find it interesting to listen to songs corresponding to a particular theme, for they can relate to those songs owing to their personal backgrounds.

Not only have these four elements drawn audiences’ attention, but there are other three elements which also play a role: sense of reality, well-known judges, and atmosphere. Sense of reality refers to the fact that by watching such programs, the audiences feel as if they were right there in the scene with the contestants. They can almost feel the thrill and the sorrow of the contestants because they see everything happening. Well-known judges attract people due to their professional and sometimes overly critical comments on the contestants’ performances. Also, the fame of the well-known judges always leads their fans to become loyal audience to the programs. As for atmosphere, the interaction among the contestants and the judges always fosters a sense of belonging. Most people enjoy seeing contestants help and care for each other while in fact they are 6 A Dream Come True? The Rapid Rise of Reality Singing Competition Programs opponents who need to eventually defeat one another in order to win first place. The sincere interaction gives the audience warmth, further prompting them to keep watching the programs.

The reality singing competition shows did bring plenty of benefits to both TV stations and audiences. The commercial breaks in the programs create business opportunities and bring in healthy profits. The content of the program is appealing and in a sense portrays a dream come true. Seeing ordinary people just like we are shoot to fame overnight simply by attending the show is truly inspiring and encouraging. People are convinced that as long as they have the opportunity to reveal their potential to the public, they may also stand a chance of becoming a superstar one day. One of the reasons why reality singing competition programs go viral worldwide may be due to the fact that they offer people a chance to dream big.

However, little is known about those who are kicked out at the very beginning of the show. The glare of the media spotlight is always on those who have successfully accomplished their dreams of being a star, while no one shows concern for those whose dreams turn sour. On top of that, even for those who did win the contests, few have been chosen by record companies. Given that there’s no guarantee that one’s dream can really come true through reality singing competition programs, is it really worthwhile for people to spend large amounts of time trying hard to become one of the contestants? While we celebrate the success and glamour of those onstage, perhaps we should stop and ponder, are reality singing competition programs giving people a dream to come true, or an illusion to shatter? This may be a question worth probing into.

IV. References

Editing Association of R.O.C. Retrieved February 7, 2017, from http://www.eforu.com.tw/www/cost/produce.htm

Hovland, C. I., Janis, I. L. & Kelley, H. H. (1953). Communication and persuasion: psychological studies of opinion change. New Haven: Yale University Press.

The Voice of China Season 4 EP 1. Retrieved February 3, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDDL9VjWPZM

Van Zoonen, L. (2004). Imagining the fan democracy. European Journal of Communication, 19, 39-52.

超級星光大道第一季第一集。2017 年 2 月 3 日。取自 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjM4djmpubQ&list=PLF368A0D55F05F9A0

《超級星光大道》第一屆 26_總決賽。2017 年 2 月 5 日。取自 7 A Dream Come True? The Rapid Rise of Reality Singing Competition Programs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R8LaHAmrMY

《加多寶中國好聲音》第四季 鳥巢顛峰之夜冠軍總決賽。2017 年 2 月 6 日。取自 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFl2ximc82Q

8 A Dream Come True? The Rapid Rise of Reality Singing Competition Programs V. Appendix – Questionnaires

Hello! We are students from Hsinchu Girl’s Senior High school. We are working on our thesis entitled “The rapid rise of reality singing competition programs.” We aim to look into the reasons why reality singing competition programs, such as The Voice and Top Million Star, go viral in recent years worldwide. We need your assistance to offer more data for analysis. Thank you very much. (You can choose more than one answer if you see the signal:* in front of the questions)

1. Gender: □ Female □ Male 2. Age: □ Junior High □ Senior High □ College 3. Do you enjoy watching reality singing competition programs? □ Yes □ No. because :( Please go to Q9 for us. Thank you.) 4. Why don’t you like to watch this kind of TV programs? ______5. Why did you start watching this kind of TV programs? □ I saw the advertisement or commercial. (From :______) □ I occasionally saw it on TV when switching the channels. □ My relatives or friends suggested I watch it. □ I searched on my own because I felt interested in such programs. 6. Have you ever watched the programs listed below? □ The Voice of China. □ Top Million Star. □ None. 7. * What are the elements that attract you to reality singing competition programs? □ a. Amateur contestants. □ b. Famous judges. □ c. Famous contestants. □ d. Professional comments of the judges. □ e. Singing skills. □ f. Clothing. □ g. Personal stories of the contestants. □ h. Real reactions of the contestants and the judges. □ i. Elaborate post-production. □ j. Competition system. □ k. Diverse competition themes. □ l. Heartwarming atmosphere. □ m. Others: ______8. Which element(s) of the above attract you the most? And why? ______9. If you would, please share with us your opinions on reality singing competition programs. ______9