Abstract
"Media rituals are actions that reproduce the myth that the media are our privileged access point to social reality" (p. 60) Couldry argues in Reality TV: Remaking television culture (2004). This myth is particularly significant in reality TV whose claim is to present real life. Thus, if rituals are actions that have a larger meaning then media rituals are at the core of reality TV programs. But not only do they legitimize reality TV as a social reality broadcaster, they also participate in promoting norms and behaviours, an ideology while keeping it hidden.
What sorts of rituals are at work and to mask which ideology? How do they give an impression of reality and authenticity? How is ideology naturalized and enforced in reality TV? And finally why are reality TV shows a useful tool to ideology?
