"Reality TV's Justification": Michael Kessler advocates for the legitimacy of contemporary television entertainment in his initial discussions
ARD, a public broadcaster in Germany, has ventured into the reality TV genre with the innovative show "Werwölfe - Das Spiel von List und Täuschung." This new series, based on the board game "The Werewolves of Miller's Hollow," is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the genre.
Michael Kessler, the moderator of the show, considers the innovation of ARD in adopting the reality TV format while maintaining a focus on quality as a significant aspect of the show. He has been wondering why public broadcasters have not entered the reality TV genre before, and he views the move as a step towards achieving diversity in programming, rather than always leaving the field to private channels.
Unlike standard reality TV, which often follows contestants competing in challenges, personal makeovers, or documentary-style storytelling, "Werwölfe" distinguishes itself by functioning as a narrative-driven, role-playing game in a reality TV format. The emphasis is on strategy, deception, and social interaction, offering viewers a fresh, intellectually engaging experience compared to conventional reality TV's usual focus on drama or talent display.
In the show, 13 players try to unmask the three werewolves among them before they can kill the others. For this, ARD has secured qualified individuals, such as psychologists and poker players, for the deception maneuvers. The show aims to meet the high demand for reality TV among German viewers, while also reaching a younger audience, as the average age of ARD viewers is approximately 64 years.
Kessler emphasizes the differences between ARD's reality TV show and others, stating that it is not using the usual reality TV personnel. He notes that the personnel involved in "Werwölfe" are not typical of the usual reality TV personnel. This departure from the usual reality TV formats previously seen on private channels in Germany is a significant step for ARD, as it strives to compete with private channels and innovate within the reality genre.
"Werwölfe - Das Spiel von List und Täuschung" is set to start on September 25 in the ARD media library and on October 2 in linear television at 10:50 PM. The show is a departure from the usual reality TV formats, offering viewers a fresh, intellectually stimulating experience that combines gaming and social strategy. With its focus on strategy, deception, and social interaction, "Werwölfe" is poised to bring a new dimension to the reality TV genre on ARD.
[1] Reality TV Evolution: A New Era of Intellectually Stimulating and Psychologically Complex Content [2] The Rise of Gaming and Social Strategy in Reality TV
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