Pirate Master

[Mistwell]

More and more of these reality shows seem to be loading up on "entry level" actors and actresses as contestants, rather than the girl or boy next door types.

You are not really correct, at least in your implication. Just because people who end up on a show have some performing of some type in their background does not mean that the people who made the decision to cast them on the show cared or even knew about that background.
Sometimes, the skill of performing shines through without it being because there is something on a resume that indicates any kind of performing.

And being on television naturally attracts the kinds of people who like performing to audition for it. People who do not like performing, or feel they are not good at performing, generally do not want to audition for a show involving them being on television for long periods of time.

 

[Glyfair]

Sometimes, the skill of performing shines through without it being because there is something on a resume that indicates any kind of performing.

That's true.

And being on television naturally attracts the kinds of people who like performing to audition for it.

True as well.

In fact, it's no secret that the music oriented shows have recruited people who have a professional music background at some level (Rockstar, American Idol). On the other hand, most of the early reality shows tried to avoid the professionals (Survivor, Amazing Race).

People who do not like performing, or feel they are not good at performing, generally do not want to audition for a show involving them being on television for long periods of time.

I think the number of people who try out for Survivor shows that there are plenty of people out there without a professional performance background looking to get on some shows.

Perhaps it's just that the second tier (and third tier) shows have trouble finding them or have trouble weeding out the professionals. Or perhaps they just don't care.

I admit, one of my favorite "reality shows" was the Joe Schmo Show (at least the first season), where all but one were professionals (by design).

 

[Mark CMG]

I think the number of people who try out for Survivor shows that there are plenty of people out there without a professional performance background looking to get on some shows.

Perhaps it's just that the second tier (and third tier) shows have trouble finding them or have trouble weeding out the professionals. Or perhaps they just don't care.

I get the feeling they would just as soon take someone with some experience in front of the camera since it is one less factor with which they will have to contend as directors.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I remember a article about (the German) Big Brother show, which indicated that the makers of the show would carefully select the participants based on some psychological analysis, hoping to get the most interesting group of people together. (I have no idea if they succeeded, as I don't watch Reality shows, and I don't know how fancy this analysis really is). So I doubt they would miss is if someone was an actor. But what I believe is that they don't really care wether the participants are actors or amateurs - the important thing is that the show stays cheap and people like it. So, a actor eager to prove himself somewhere for cheap money and is able to entertain the audience is fine.
(Either way, there isn't much "reality" in reality shows, at least in the way that it's everyday reality. )



If the makers are funny enough, this should be the last task for the participants: Jump the Shark.

 

[Umbran]

Just because people who end up on a show have some performing of some type in their background does not mean that the people who made the decision to cast them on the show cared or even knew about that background.

Whether or not they care we cannot guess with confidence. But not know? Unless the potential contestant is actively hiding it, I don't find that credible. Generally, it'd be right there in the resume or application, and probably available with a quick Google search. Not knowing would qualify as, "falling down on the job" I think.

 

[Mistwell]

Whether or not they care we cannot guess with confidence. But not know? Unless the potential contestant is actively hiding it, I don't find that credible. Generally, it'd be right there in the resume or application, and probably available with a quick Google search. Not knowing would qualify as, "falling down on the job" I think.

I cannot say much ( http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=198025 ). So I will speak from just general experience as best I can.

Applications do not necessary ever ask questions like "have you ever done any performing". And unless you are a full time actor, the job questions they may ask are probably about your full-time job and current employer, and past full-time or primary jobs.

Nor are they necessarily personally doing Google searches on people themselves (Producers probably don't have the time commitment to be personally researching dozens of applicants). They might hire an outside background checking company (like any other company might do), and they would probably look for things like criminal background, mental instability, and that sort of stuff - things relevant to the safety of the participants.

Like I said, you're assuming they care if you have any performing in your background. I am not sure that is a good assumption. I am sure they care if you come across well, if you are engaging, if viewers will be interested in watching you, and if you come across as real, and if you will be a pain in the ass to work with. The kinds of things that are actually relevant to the show. Whether or not you were in a commercial or some plays or a singer or some kind of performing hobby at some point in your life is not really all that relevant to a show. It doesn't make you a less "real" participant, because if you "feel" like a performer to them they probably won't pick you.

Anyway, my point is that there is not necessarily a causal connection between having some performing background and being cast on a reality show. I think it can be helpful because the skills a performer has may help them impress people in an audition. But I don't think people are cast specifically because they have a known performing background.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I'll keep the list updated and keep those set adrift in spoiler tags. Let's try to keep other spoilers in this thread in tags too, so no one accidently reads anything they shouldn't.

Just a note: the spoiler tag itself is a giveaway of who has been cast adrift to those of us using the stealth setting.

 

[Mark CMG]

Just a note: the spoiler tag itself is a giveaway of who has been cast adrift to those of us using the stealth setting.

That's true. I should add one for the others that says some other thing.

*edit* That should do it. Thanks!

 

[Mark CMG]

Another one cut adrift!

Spoiler

I was a bit surprised by the removal of the big man. I wonder if he was more of a drag on the team than shown on screen.

 

[Wycen]

I totally forgot about this last night and I even told my coworkers, (they watch Grey's Anatomy). It wasn't until 9:30 that I said, "there isn't anything on...oh crap!"