ABSTRACT
Celebrity reality TV describes formats where a degree of celebrity status is a prerequisite for entering the show. Initially, perhaps, it appeared to be a less successful, interesting or spectacular version of reality TV based around 'ordinary' people. This was at least true of the UK, and, as Nick Couldry observed after the first series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2001,
With celebrities, not 'ordinary people' as inmates of the house, it was much less clear what was being 'revealed' during the climax of the game: we know, of course, that celebrities are inJact 'ordinary', and there was no excitement in seeing a celebrity confirm his or her existing status by winning the game (2002: 288-9).
