Reality shows are all the rage on TV...but that's not reality, it's just another aesthetic form of fiction - Steven Soderbergh
I have been regularly following the current season of the reality show Bigg Boss (the indian equivalent of the UK show Big Brother) on Colours Channel. I had also followed the last season very closely, hence it's only befitting that I dedicate a post to this subject. My interest in this show stems not from the the TRP grabbing content that's aired (it's boring and predictive enough to put you to sleep not to mention that one hour daily is an awful waste of one's precious time), but with an intention of doing an objective analysis of the show purely from the perspective of game theory (not that I know anything about it :)). But none the less, here's my take on it.
Here are some of my observations in no particular order of importance, regarding how to survive in the show
1. Entertain the audience. After all they form the voter base.
2. Acknowledge that the show is actually a game and should be played like one. No point in being swayed by emotions when everyone is busy using their brains. But then don't openly brag about being a mastermind.
3. Apply the concept of "Backward Induction" i.e first consider the moves that are the last in the game and then work backwards by picking the best moves every week.In other words, first choose the final 2-3 people you want to be in the final with, and then keeping this end in mind, nominate the appropriate people for weekly eliminations.
4. Be in the know of all house politics, no matter how insignificant. The more information you have about other contestants and their moves, the better decision you can make to advance yourself in the game.
5. Do not reveal all your cards in the beginning. Make it difficult for others to understand your game.
6. Build an influence over weaker contestants. Peer support is necessary to save your neck from the nominations for weekly eliminations.
7. Don't try to maintain a holier-than-thou image in the house.It's not only extremely boring but also artificial. BE YOURSELF. This will get you the respect not just from the audience but also from your fellow contestants.
8. If on a given week you are up for eliminations (which you will be sooner or later), entertain the audience as much as you can, and try to grab maximum camera footage. If you are not a natural entertainer, then the easiest way to get the cameras to be fixed on you is to pick a fight with some fellow contestant (best candidates for this would be the weaker candidates, nominated candidates,candidates with some negative past, candidates who have been involved in fights before etc.). THE INDIAN AUDIENCE LOVES A GOOD FIGHT.
9. Do not ever say that you are missing home or missing your family. Other contestants will only use this as an excuse to nominate you.
10. Do not try to be overly diplomatic. The audience would consider it as hypocricy.
11. Mix with everyone in the show. A common excuse contestants give for nominating someone is their lack of interaction with that person.
12. Do not shy away from participating in any dispute. Put forward your opinions strongly, but do not try to influence everyone to accept your viewpoint.
13. Even when you are cornered by everybody and everyone in the house has turned against you, do not accept defeat. It might be mistaken for an admission of guilt. AND THE INDIAN AUDIENCE DOES NOT LIKE LOSERS. And for all you know, this might be a joint strategy to chuck you out of the house.So FIGHT BACK and be at your entertaining best.
14. Do not behave like sour grapes at any point. Take everything sportingly.
15. Above all, remember that the show editors will try to stereotype you as a certain character. It's totally your call which side of your personality you want to project the most.
Hopefully, watching this show has given me the practical heads-up I need to understand the infinitely more difficult world of Game Theory :)
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