One out of three people in America who settled in front of their television sets on Monday, February 18, watched the final episode of "Joe Millionaire." This makes it the third most popular show on the tube behind the "Superbowl" and the "Oscars."
In the final show, Joe Millionaire--Evan Marriott--chooses the demure Zora over the sophisticated Sarah and admits that he is a pauper not a prince. The final twist: The producers surprise the new couple with a million dollar check. It was, as Zora realizes, a fairy-tale ending.
"It is reality that is created in a fantasy way--with a dramatic storyline, conflicts and potential for star-crossed lovers," says Stuart Fischoff, Ph.D., a media expert and professor of psychology at California State University at Los Angeles. The show was "both reality and fairy tale in one," he explains.
Reality shows may seem to be different from scripted shows, but the most popular--like "Joe Millionaire" and "Survivor"--are run in what is essentially a working fantasy. The plot and intrigue don't come from a script, but from careful editing and control of the set.
