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Everyday Australians turn on their television to find programs that are covering issues and topics that are relative to them, the viewer. On these programs viewers can see "average" Australians like themselves dealing with the same issues and conflicts that they are: "racism, sexuality, welfare rights, and religious freedom." (Shattuc, p.86). As viewers are connecting to the characters and the topics covered on these shows they are taking part in creating a public opinion forum, which is a public sphere. The public sphere in Australia is shown dramatically through the new wave of reality television shows. Before beginning to look at exactly how reality TV is part of the public sphere it is essential to define a public sphere. Jurgen Haberman who is one of the leading theorist of the public sphere defines it as "a domain of our social life in which such a thing as public opinion can be formed…dealing with matters of general interest without being subject to concern…free to express and publicize their opinions freely" (Lecture 3). It is also a place where "private individuals assemble to form a public body" (Shuttac, p. 86). It is the communication between citizens where issues of general interest are brought up. Rational discussions and debates happen within the public sphere, which is a part of our social life. Within the public sphere issues are made emotional, personalized, and trivialized. The public sphere is dominant in our daily lives. The question arises of how does the television genre of reality TV become a part of the public sphere. Reality television shows are a medium, which allows the viewer to witness public opinion through real life everyday situations. In reality television shows public issues are made emotional as the viewer observes the characters, which are real live people with real live emotions. Numerous issues of public debate are discussed on reality television shows and because these shows usually contain people from different backgrounds, religions, races, and sexes the viewer is enabled to take in various attitudes and opinions about these public debates. Reality television ties the parts of a public sphere together within the program. Looking within this genre three reality television shows that I am going to discuss as a part of the public sphere include Survivor, Temptation Island, and Big Brother. Channel 9 is the host to Survivor. On this program the contestants are taken to a remote location and split into two teams for 39 days. They are castaways and compete with one another in various tasks. Each week the loosing team of the competition must vote to eliminate a teammate from the game, and the remaining contender is the "ultimate survivor." Halfway through the shows season the two teams merge as one and the game changes from the playing as a group to the playing of individuals. The contestants on this show come from all different backgrounds, ages, races, and genders. They are placed in deserted, remote locations forced to fend for themselves to find shelter and food.
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