ABSTRACT
Why is reality television flourishing in today's expanding media market? Religion and Reality TV: Faith in Late Capitalism argues that the reality genre offers answers to many of life's urgent questions: Why am I important? What gives my life meaning? How do I present my best self to the world? Case studies address these questions by examining religious representations through late capitalist lenses, including the maintenance of the self, the commodification of the sacred, and the performance of authenticity. The book's fourteen essays explore why religious themes proliferate in reality TV, audiences' fascination with "lived religion," and the economics that make religion and reality TV a successful pairing. Chapters also consider the role of race, gender, and religion in the production and reception of programming.
Religion and Reality TV provides a framework for understanding the intersection of celebrity, media attention, beliefs, and values. The book will be of interest to students and scholars of religion and media studies, communication, American studies, and popular culture.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|45 pages
Maintenance of the self
chapter 1|15 pages
Flaunting Christian patriarchy in the 21st century
chapter 2|14 pages
Making over body and soul
part II|59 pages
The performance of authenticity
chapter 6|12 pages
When the most popular format reaches the most atypical country
chapter 7|14 pages
All-American cancellation
part III|58 pages
Niche markets
chapter 9|16 pages
Paranormal reality television
chapter 10|13 pages
Conjuring spirits in a neoliberal era
part IV|39 pages
Commodification of the sacred