Reality TV and Political Discourse

Check out this call for academic papers that came across my desk this week:

We are inviting scholars from all over the world to submit your completed
manuscripts or abstracts that discuss whether/how reality
programs serve as a platform for a political discussion in different
cultural or national contexts. These issues include but are not
limited to race, nationality, religion, gender inequality, privacy,
copyrights... Possible topics include:
· Whether and why reality television should or should not be any
different from other genres as a platform for discussion of issues
related to politics.
· Whether/how television viewers use reality television to form
opinions about politics, race, etc.
· Whether fans of reality television find these discussions as
central or peripheral to their enjoyment of the genre.
· How participants of reality programs feel about being a part of
controversies about issues related to daily politics.

I find it interesting that the emphasis here seems to be on politics, rather than on community. I don't hear a lot of political talk surrounding the discussions of Dancing with the Stars or some of the other reality shows out there. On the other hand, there is a lot to look at in these programs regarding cultural and community issues. I hope the papers do not divorce what is going on in these shows and with the audiences from the production realities (or illusions) of the shows. And once you think about whether there are racial or gendered differences or hegemonic statements, you have to consider whether these are in fact real or manufactured because of the nature of "reality" television.