Context

Released in 1998 The Truman Show reflects the postmodern late-20th century society of developed countries such as the USA with its growing interest in reality-focussed television and the powerful influence of the mass media and advertising. Western countries, and specifically America where the film is set, are characterised by their capitalist values and consumerism. 

The 1990s saw the rise of television shows that blur the line between the real and fabricated, such as The Jerry Springer Show (1991), The People’s Court and COPS. Television was firmly cemented as a central part of the American family and social lifestyle and this is reflected in ‘The Truman Show’ where the audience connect with each other via television.

Big Brother was released the year after the film came out. It was a show that placed contestants in a house together, filmed for twenty-fours a day. The show's producers encouraged conflict, drama and romance between contestants to generate audience interest. The name 'Big Brother' is a reference to the novel by George Orwell, 1984, which features a high-tech surveillance system by the same name, peering into every aspect of people's intimate lives.  

Television also provides companies with direct access to consumers through advertising, resulting in a culture where individuals are constantly desiring new products to improve their sense of identity, comfort and belonging. The manipulative strategies of the advertising industry include 'infomercials' - these are segments in television shows that are presented as informative and objective, when in fact a company has paid the television network for the segment in order to promote its products. The Truman Show features a number of these infomercial-style segments.

Ethics

There are issues of human rights and ethics of programme-making which are at the heart of ‘The Truman Show’ with which the audience can identify. These are the same issues which are at the heart of representing any ‘real’ people on television. Infringement of the rights of the individual within these television programmes is a major concern.

There is no doubt that many television viewers are keen to watch someone else’s daily life story. Therefore, there can be little doubt that many who choose to take part are happy to be included. It is sometimes easy for broadcasting professionals, for whom television is a daily experience, to forget that for many others contact with the production process and appearance on the screen is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they might live to regret.