''This is not a game. There is no prize. This is UTOPIA: reality TV in its truest form."
Quick description:
Utopia is a glorified
commune where 15 strangers (cast members) are to build a new society all within
a period of one year. They are placed into a remote location and have to create new laws, new
ways of living, build strong relationships (romantic, friends and foes),
experiencing banishment with replacement of new members, with a constant 24/7 life freed with 360 degree cameras placed throughout the land. It was
created by John De Mol (creator of Big Brother) and executive producers Conrad
Green (Dancing with Stars), John Kroll (the Amazing Race), and David Tibballs
(Dragon’ Den’). With a surprisingly outrageous 50 million dollar budget.
Plot Summary of the
episode seen on date: Friday 10/17/14 @ 8-9pm on FOX
The plot of this particular episode consisted of multiple themes
such as:
·
Wedding of a main character:
Rob (the Liberal) got married to Jess (a non- member) in
Utopia. Together the members of this society had participated in the creation
of his wedding. All of the aspects of the wedding were covered from: bachelor
party (“Cirque de Skin” theme), Ceremony ( Jonathan [the pastor] a previous
member joined Utopian’s for this celebration to marry the couple), Reception (
held on the porch), First dance, throwing off the bouquet, garter belt release,
feeding of the cake, and finally the honeymoon were the newly married couple
spent their first night in a “Love Shack” ( a building that was built by the
members in a prior episode). The origin of the name “Love Shack” came from one
the members because they said that the building was made with love, which I
think is bologna!
A new member (non-human) joined Utopia:
Enrique (the Rooster) became a father for the first time to
a baby chicken, only one … how adorable!
·
Reuniting of a non-human member:
A baby cow was reunited with his mother from being in
isolation. In prior episodes (that I did not partake in watching) explained the
reasons why this happened, but it was a huge issue among the members of the
release of the baby cow… Also very cute!
· Trial by Jury:
Two of the members got into a heated argument about personal belongings. Chris harassed Aaron about the disposal of his Mayonnaise. Things got heated between them and Aaron made a point to threaten Chris’s life because Chris was antagonistic towards Aaron. One if the laws of Utopia is to never threaten another member, so this issue was taken very seriously. The punishment was followed by a jury’s (the rest of the members) deliberation, which consisted of on hour of anger management for both parties, and an extra hour for Aaron (who made the threat) of tilling the land.
Two of the members got into a heated argument about personal belongings. Chris harassed Aaron about the disposal of his Mayonnaise. Things got heated between them and Aaron made a point to threaten Chris’s life because Chris was antagonistic towards Aaron. One if the laws of Utopia is to never threaten another member, so this issue was taken very seriously. The punishment was followed by a jury’s (the rest of the members) deliberation, which consisted of on hour of anger management for both parties, and an extra hour for Aaron (who made the threat) of tilling the land.
This episode aired a total of 38
commercials (ridiculous!). Those advertisements included:
Little Ceasars Pizza ( aired twice), Progressive (aired 3 times), Fox Programs ( aired 4 times), Carl’s Jr., Wendy’s, Jack-in-the Box, Outback Steak House, Olive Garden, Burger King, Mini-Wheat’s Cereal, Jeff Merkley (Political), Discount Windows (Local business), L’Oreal, Clinique, Amope, Samsung Galaxy 5 (aired twice), Aflac ( aired twice), NFL ( aired 3 times), Honda, Cottonelle, Lifewise, Les Schwab, Verizon, Crest, Allstate, Nicorette, Camry, and Ram 1500.
After viewing Utopia for the second time, I
have decided that it is something that I will not continue to watch. The drama
seemed obviously contrived. For example the situation between Chris and Arron
was unrealistic. It was Utopia’s water down version of reality. I wanted a true
bloody fight scene and Utopia did not deliver. The producers of Utopia try
to make the viewer feel that this show is realistic by its style (360 degree
cameras and 24/7 feed) that it is not rigged, but the drama seemed obviously
staged. The strength of this show is its concept (starting society over), which
never has been done on America network TV before, but it has in Denmark. It is
has many attributes that are similar to other reality TV shows such as
Survivor, Siberia, and Big Brother, but it seems that the creators are trying
too hard to convenience the views of this concept. I believe that the target
audience of Utopia are primarily female dominant ranging from their mid-20’s to
their late 40’s because of the sensual concepts throughout the show and the drama
placement. The commercials and advertisers exhibited a women stereotype by placing
mostly female related products throughout this episode such as Clinique and
L’Oreal. Those products were very convincing for a viewer, but not this show. The
creator’s ultimate goal was to make great television by creating a better
society, but it may be its demise.
Please check out the critics views on this show because the comparisons just mimic my opinion of the show. I feel that our society is getting tired of the same old stuff, let's try a new concept on this whole reality TV era. Utopia gives other cultures an unrealistic view of America. It gives a bad example of American society.
Please check out the critics views on this show because the comparisons just mimic my opinion of the show. I feel that our society is getting tired of the same old stuff, let's try a new concept on this whole reality TV era. Utopia gives other cultures an unrealistic view of America. It gives a bad example of American society.
“Utopia set to become the biggest flop in TV history.”- Chris Taylor of Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/11089363/Utopia-set-to-become-the-biggest-flop-in-TV-history.html
"Utopia review: Big Brother? Big deal- by Verne Gay
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/reality-tv/utopia-review-big-brother-big-deal-1.9217623
This particular Reality TV show is obvious scripted/ staged because with much research I have found that people such as Gillian Flynn (author of "Gone Girl") wrote scripts for this particular show. The actors/ and actresses (contestants) of this show seemed obviously encouraged to stage unnecessary drama filled situations such as the fight between Chris and Eric about personal belongings to create high ratings. Fighting among contestants and having romantic (sexual) relations on television sells by high ratings from consumers. "Siberia" is another example of a Reality TV that was staged by hiring worldly actor/actress to portray as normal people, but were sold to the public as your average Joe contestants. I believe this is "Utopia's" biggest weakness because of its obvious attempt to portray itself as authentic. This show in my opinion has no real strengths.
Stereotypes in "Utopia" entailed the 1950's life style such as the women cook, clean, and take care of the household, while the men worked outside (by building the sheds),farm work and was the dictator of the land. If foreign visitors were to watch this show their views would be quite construed of what REAL America is like. Roles between women and man are shared in today's society and
Promiscuous sex is not as prevalent as depicted in this show.
The producers of "Utopia" are media savvy, they used social media to promoted this show by showing commercials/ advertisements on local TV stations such FOX, ABC,and CBS in addition they used Facebook, Twitter as marketing tools.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/11089363/Utopia-set-to-become-the-biggest-flop-in-TV-history.html
"Utopia review: Big Brother? Big deal- by Verne Gay
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/reality-tv/utopia-review-big-brother-big-deal-1.9217623
This particular Reality TV show is obvious scripted/ staged because with much research I have found that people such as Gillian Flynn (author of "Gone Girl") wrote scripts for this particular show. The actors/ and actresses (contestants) of this show seemed obviously encouraged to stage unnecessary drama filled situations such as the fight between Chris and Eric about personal belongings to create high ratings. Fighting among contestants and having romantic (sexual) relations on television sells by high ratings from consumers. "Siberia" is another example of a Reality TV that was staged by hiring worldly actor/actress to portray as normal people, but were sold to the public as your average Joe contestants. I believe this is "Utopia's" biggest weakness because of its obvious attempt to portray itself as authentic. This show in my opinion has no real strengths.
Stereotypes in "Utopia" entailed the 1950's life style such as the women cook, clean, and take care of the household, while the men worked outside (by building the sheds),farm work and was the dictator of the land. If foreign visitors were to watch this show their views would be quite construed of what REAL America is like. Roles between women and man are shared in today's society and
Promiscuous sex is not as prevalent as depicted in this show.
The producers of "Utopia" are media savvy, they used social media to promoted this show by showing commercials/ advertisements on local TV stations such FOX, ABC,and CBS in addition they used Facebook, Twitter as marketing tools.
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