Further blurring the lines between reality and entertainment, Thailand's Prime Minister has created a reality show detailing his five-day trip through one of his country's poorest regions. PM Thaksin Shinawatra will be followed by 40 television cameras and his daily activities will be broadcast to the country's population.
Just when you thought every possible idea had already been exploited for reality TV, someone launches a show for political junkies. I'm not going to watch it myself, but it just goes to show that there's always a new angle to an old idea.
"In many different countries all over the world, reality television evokes images of telegenic contestants battling each other on a tropical island or engaged in trysts at a seaside mansion. Thailand's prime minister is pioneering a new style of reality TV, being a main hero himself, and aired on the network his family controls. "Backstage Show: The Prime Minister," which runs through Friday, features Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on a five-day tour through one of the poorest regions of Thailand. His government bills the show as an opportunity for the prime minister to meet the needy and tackle poverty as the nation watches him work." - News From Russia
Thai PM Launches Reality Television Show
Thai PM Launches Reality Television Show
Trend Themes
1. Political Reality TV - The launch of a reality show featuring the Prime Minister of Thailand blurs the lines between reality and entertainment in the political sphere.
2. Celebrity Politicians - The show featuring Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra highlights the trend of politicians becoming media celebrities and leveraging their public image for political purposes.
3. Public Engagement Television - The reality show presents an innovative opportunity for political leaders to directly engage with the public and showcase their initiatives and efforts to address social issues.
Industry Implications
1. Television Production - The launch of a reality show featuring a political leader presents an opportunity for television production companies to explore and develop new formats focused on political figures.
2. Political Consulting - The rise of political reality TV opens up new avenues for political consultants to advise and guide politicians on how to effectively utilize media platforms for public engagement.
3. Media Broadcasting - The show's coverage and broadcast on a network controlled by the Prime Minister's family suggests a need for innovative and diverse media broadcasting platforms to ensure unbiased coverage of political events.