Would People Watch a Reality Astronaut TV Show?
Discussion Point: If an astronaut reality show makes it to TV in your country, will people in your country watch it? It would be a show that launches its winners into space as the ultimate prize. Robert Brand is the moderator for the session.
Omid Niroumandzade
I’m not a big fan of reality shows, but I’d love to see one that would chronicle an actual astronauts journey. It would go a long way in recapturing the public’s imagination with NASA.: )
Tom Fincher
In honour of the new approach to space exploration, why not develop a reality show around a company involved in bringing space exploration to the masses? A series that showed that there is more to space exploration than just astronauts would be rather refreshing.
David Buchner
I’m not a big fan of “my people” right now, but… No, I guess that’s a little too harsh. I can’t figure out what they’ll watch because I don’t understand why they watch what they do. Obsessively. In vast numbers. As I don’t watch most of those shows, it’s hard to guess at their appeal, but I’m wondering if your astronauts would have to be, believably, “Regular Joes” — ordinary folks who just might make it big. That might have come off as much more snobbish than I feel. Up past my bedtime.
Robert Brand
These will be “all sorts” – anyone that wants to give it a go. They will need to be fit and they will need to be smart. They could be the person next door. They just wanted to give it a go….
David Buchner
Okay; I’m intrigued. But it has to be made to look like the most awesome prize ever. Not just saying so — but visually. I guess what I mean is there has to be some explicit acknowledgment of WHY they’d want to take the risk and get there. I’m looking for some yearning, here.
Krister BerntsenIt was done in Norway for some years ago. The winner would get a spaceflight, but never received it
Jen Dudley Winter
I hate to say that the two notions don’t exactly mix between the platform and the audience. Most science and technology buffs are disinterested by watching social behavioral shows of talk shows and reality. Most who enjoy the behavioral shows are foreign to science and technology. I don’t imagine that the mixing of the reality platform with sci/tech audience would be very successful unless that concept was interpreted in the format.
David Buchner
OK, but what if the sci/tech element is idealized, or generalized? Even if the rank-and-file viewer isn’t specifically into space, s/he is able to get invested in someone with a lofty ambition; a dream, who’s striving to achieve it. Not everybody who watches those other shows wants to be a ballroom dancer or a chef or a pop singer or whatever — but they identify with the dreamer and the quest.
John Sullivan
I hate “reality shows” and have yet to watch a single one, but I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that the proposal would be a HUGE HIT in the U.S. because the most widely viewed shows and the most popular to producers (because of lower production costs) are “reality shows.” I think it would be a huge hit in the United States.
Jen Dudley Winter
So now we are turning space exploration into a dreamy fantasy? I thought it was a meticulous and highly researched science which calls for decades of research and development to overcome significant environmental obstacles.
Ricardo L. GarciaI can’t stand reality shows, to be honest. But one where a spaceflight were offered would sure get my attention….Again, if it only featured people in fit condition I wouldn’t watch it, and I suspect not many other prople would. How about an average Joe being given maybe not a true spaceflight, but a brief hop to the top of the atmosphere in a Russian Mig fighter, say, like they offer in that company, Space Adventures? If even people who aren’t exactly fit could hope to win, that would do a lot. Or offer them a few minutes in weightlessness for a prize, say. That doesn’t require being fit either.
David Buchner
If they’re not at least moderately fit, who’d want to watch them? Set aside the “science,” for a moment. What’s needed meticulous attention to ENGINEERING detail. Have you seen “Scrapheap Challenge”/”Junkyard Wars”? In the process of a wacky fun half hour of breaking and welding things, a fair number of explanations and principles were introduced.
Robert Brand
David – yes, fun show, but we can’t ask would be astronauts to be good at welding and mechanics. It is not about super human people, but they would need to be fit and would need to study – not be super smart. Half would be women and I guess the other half men 
David Buchner
I guess. That would probably make the most sense.
Ricardo L. Garcia
I was thinking more like, everybody roots for the underdog. Also, everybody likes to think they could themselves be the lucky guy….If a slightly overweight, or skinny-looking, or bespectacled nerdy, or flar-footed Joe could never win, where’s the appeal?
Robert Brand This would not be about whether YOU would watch it, but whether others would. Maybe hit on all the reality shows and take a bit from each. Hey maybe we can call it Beauty and the Geek, Bachelorette, Farmer wants an Astronaut Cooking show!
David Buchner
I haven’t seen those shows, so I don’t know. Are the contestants pudgy or weird-looking? The ones who win? (I’m not even touching the “bespectacled nerdy” – because we all know that at the end of those movies the girl takes off her glasses and shakes out her hair and we realize she was an awesome babe all along. ;-\ ) Did you also see “Rough Science” over there? Another UK show, and another one I thought a brilliant success. These people managed to create some pretty rudimentary things — and make it look like a very very cool accomplishment. There were many moments of genuinely triumphant fun in there. As in uplifting, joyous, feel-good, hooray. My point here, is that it’s possible to take an assortment of normal people, and science and engineering, and make it compelling and exciting without anybody exploding. (cough) Especially if you have Kate Humble aboard.
Tamra Temple
I don’t know. I’ve yet to see a so-called reality show, but have heard about the content. I would love to watch the launches show you’re mentioning, but apparently have much different tastes than most in the country. If we use me as a barometer, it doesn’t look good for launches. Not that many even tune in to the NASA channel online.
David Buchner
I too am out of touch with a population that doesn’t just automatically go nuts for raw footage of space walks and launches and the rest. But I get the impression this concept might be to put a much more familiar face on the whole endeavour.
Robert Brand
David, I would definitely add in a Robot Wars style space challenge in one episode! two people controlling their robots to collect a rock (the same rock) and get back to their goal. Some attack features will let you steal the rock. Sounds good! The junkyard challenge would not be the best thing for most people – the skills do match astronauts. Tell me what you would like to see in the show to make it compelling watching for most. Paris Hilton as a contestant doesn’t count.
Ricardo L. Garcia
No, Paris Hilton as a contestant wouldn’t be a good idea…. Auf wiederschreiben… I’d go to space in a heartbeat if i were falling to pieces and had to be tied to my seat….even if i were told the rocket had a 99% per cent chance of blowing up.
Romana Challans
would watch like a shot.
Frau Budgie
I’d watch it in a heartbeat! And just maybe, I’d put my name in the hat to be on it!
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Very interesting comments. I think there might be an age gap between the show’s target market and people on this site. Reality TV, if done properly, can be an exceptional tool for promoting space. Got to do it right though, something that aspires to be great and people can be proud of. Downplay interpersonal dramas and stereotypes. Focus on normal people working to improve themselves for an exceptional goal.
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Jason, do you have any background here or is it gut feel? Yes, the group that responded were older in age. I had hoped that they would take that into account. However I believe that it is often the interpersonal dramas that may make the show even more real. For instance there was tension between Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin because of issues about who was to step on the moon first. There can be issues and that is real. I would like to develop a show further in the future that develops a serious rapport with the viewers. The factthat it normalises space wil be an added advantage – making space an everyday aspect of life for everyday people. Thanks for the comment
Thanks for the reply Robert. I’m an experienced space engineer/operator with some recent work in the crossover between media, entertainment, and education. Understand your point though, about interpersonal issues. But consider the different kinds reality TV shows. The “Big Brother” approach will not be about space/science, but about negative drama. Instead, try the “Masterchef Australia”/”So you think you can dance” approach. Take normal people with talent, getting exceptional training to excel in an area they’re passionate about. The focus becomes the passion to excel, which has a very personal dimension to everyone. Both can be profitable, but only the latter will show the field in a respectful light.