When I was writing recently about "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" I made a list of components which help them gather a fan base: I forgot to add Beauty.
I had "God and country" on my list -- that might sound funny at first, but if you observe the show closely -- at least in the first couple of seasons in that original house with column-fence around it, they make the point of showing an American flag outside the house. And they mention being "Christian." Not that often, but it's there.
Someone on their Creativity team knows that mentioning --
God
country
family
is kind of a "magic potion" for one or two demographics in a potential audience.
It's like -- the dad can turn into a woman, but --
God
country
family.
------------------- In the middle of the 20th Century people used to say, "Yes, every politician says he's 'for' motherhood and apple pie."
"Motherhood and apple pie" was a stand-in for "God, country, family."
_____________________________
Other aspects of the Kardashians' winning formula --
SHARING -- here's how I feel; everything has to go perfectly; I'm very upset; I might be pregnant; if you try, maybe he'll try....
Performance events where they pose, and talk about it to the Camera
The building blocks were
attention
and
fame -- building, one upon the other, until the audience felt like they knew the Kardashians, and wanted to receive more news of them -- wanted to "keep up with" them....
The premise of "fame" has mostly been that you have a talent which you bring to the viewers -- you are a model, an actor, a dancer, singer, player of an instrument...
However, "reality" actors, or stars, create their own genre.... You can become famous by showing up....with attention-grabbing style, in strategic settings, and being photographed.
Instead of hiding from, or complaining about, the "paparazzi," the Kardashians and Jenners put them to use, for their own benefit.
-30-
No comments:
Post a Comment