ABSTRACT
Nearly every television station in Indonesia broadcasts reality television programmes,
and in the past two years there have been over 50 different reality shows produced
locally but often based on or inspired by foreign formats. Replacing direct foreign
imports in many cases, format adaptations of reality shows are one example of
Indonesia’s participation in global television and are a prominent feature of the
television landscape in post-Suharto Indonesia. Although there is extensive debate
over what is actually meant by reality television, the defining characteristic of
the genre is that programmes are largely unscripted, the stars being real people in
extraordinary circumstances who are often competing for the chance to improve their
lives (Hill, 2005). Reality shows also allow viewers to ‘see for themselves’, which has
become a key attraction, changing the relationship between viewer and screen into
something more intimate and participatory than ever before.
