Reality TV is not all that modern a phenomenon. The very first reality TV show was Candid Camera by Allen Funt which was telecast in 1948. The show caught people in embarrassing, funny and light hearted moments. The unknowing participants also seemed to be amused as it was revealed that they were on Candid Camera.

Amusing reality shows like Candid Camera of old days and the present day shows are like chalk and cheese. What remains common is that reality TV has grown with television and has amused millions of television viewers throughout the years.

But even the concepts of catching ordinary people in embarrassing situations are sometimes taken to the extremes. Shows like MTV Bakra remain humorous to the people who are watching it, but social experts often challenge whether the emotional trauma that a participant goes through is justified in the name of entertainment. Modern day reality shows resemble Roman arenas where gladiators fight each other to the death while the crowd cheered on. The creature comforts of the modern world do not seemed to have dulled our bloodlust.

The participants of Candid Camera were caught in embarrassing moments, but their privacy and dignity were protected. No one was hurt. The show was aired when Americans wanted uncomplicated, simple, non-controversial and entertaining programs to be broadcasted into their homes.

The revolution in personal freedom, and the total disdain for the morally superior, virtuous airs was the hallmark of 1960’s. Drug use, the sexual revolution and the anti war movement gained momentum and the mantra was to ‘tell it like it is’. Personal expression to the extent that nothing was held back was the defining characteristic of this time. This was also reflected in TV shows which became more explicit, violent and unforgiving.

The early 1970s saw the reality show "An American Family," where the public watched an average American family go about their daily lives. The closest that we have come to in India where the personal life of a family or individual is followed, is Rakhee Sawant’s Swayamvar. But the show was quite evidently staged and exaggerated beyond belief just for TRP ratings.

Reality TV changed again to contestants competing against each other to win money or love. They were also eating worms and beetles, being caged with snakes and rats and travelling around the world in an attempt to win big bucks. Competitiveness, materialism and extreme aggressiveness now define the reality TV shows of today.

There are several shows like the Indian Idol, modeled on American Idol, which have a huge fan base. The participants are seemingly given a great chance to have a shot at fame and fortune.

What really goes on during such reality shows is a closely kept secret. Well, it has been a closely kept secret. But not anymore. Australian author Vaughn Alaine-Marshall, in his novel Überstar talks about what happens behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest reality shows. Many contestants broke the confidentiality agreement to tell their story and Alaine-Marshall has done justice to the trust that they have placed in him in this revealing novel.

What the author learnt during the interviews was that the bullying and taunting that happens onstage is just a small glimpse of what really goes on. Überstar is an account of the experiences of several reality show contestants from whom he interviewed after a close family friend who participated in a reality show poured out her heart to him.

Alaine-Marshall’s debut novel provides a new perspective on reality TV. Read this book if you are a reality show fan or you can’t stand the airwaves they travel through...