Exploring the Intersection of Ratings & Representation
In the glittering world of reality TV, where drama and conflict often take center stage, the portrayal of Black women has been a topic of both fascination and controversy. The fiery confrontations, intense debates, and emotional outbursts become fodder for ratings, creating a narrative that can overshadow the diverse realities of Black women's lives. Viewers are drawn into the spectacle of these clashes, often overlooking the nuances and complexities that exist beyond the screen. These simplified representations can have broader implications, shaping how viewers perceive and interact with Black women in real life. The power of editing and narrative construction in reality TV can amplify these stereotypes, distorting the truth for the sake of entertainment.
In this episode, Dr. Donnetrice Allison critically examines Black womanhood beyond what is shown in these widely viewed scripted drama. Having served in various capacities at the collegiate level over the last two decades, Dr. Allison has published the book Black Women’s Portrayals on Reality Television: The New Sapphire, in addition to numerous book chapters, and journal articles. But her true passion is for telling Black women’s stories. She has spent the bulk of her career analyzing film and television for its portrayals of Black people, which have often been lacking in depth and dimension. Most recently, Dr. Allison has stepped into the role of creative as writer/producer of a television pilot called "Teaching While Black," which has been awarded, nominated, and screened at several film and television festivals, including the Cannes World Film Festival.
To learn more about Dr. Allison, click here.
Works by Dr. Allison:
Season 1, Episode 14
Running Time: 26 minutes
