"But there is, at least according to the houseguests, the possibility of having had an experience that was, as several of them put it over the course of the series, 'priceless'." (I 143)
Reality television is a popular form of entertainment in today's society. Millions of viewers watch to see amateur competitors in various situations in their quest for fame, glory, and perhaps some monetary compensation. But really, with only one winner for each show, what does anyone else gain from this dozen-week-long escapade with cameras capturing your every move?
"American Idol wants its fans to feel the love or, more specifically, the 'lovemarks.' Audience participation is a way of getting American Idol viewers more deeply invested, shoring up their loyalty to the franchise and its sponsors... at every step along the way, the viewers are invited to imagine that 'it could be me or someone I know.'" (VIII 71)
Another aspect of reality television is the ability for the viewers to relate to what they're watching. From "it could be me or someone I know" to a more personal experience related to this form of entertainment, programming has centered more around what the audience can relate to- people like themselves. Advertisers love it because they can also make their brand into a more personal relationship as well.
All in all, reality television has become more about the people watching it; producers want to help viewers feel more involved so that they are more likely to develop loyalty to the program, and companies want a chance to get in on this as well- because this means more people who will regularly see their ads and consume their product. Similarly, increased participation in their entertainment allows people to see what they really want to watch and can relate to.
This strongly echoes of FanFiction, which is a slightly older method of allowing the consumer to participate in the media that they follow. By figuring out how to involve the followers in a format beneficial to both the creator and the fans, there becomes a balance between keeping the masses happy and advertising the work of the work of the original.