Pushing the limits: the expansion of intimacy in Spanish talk shows (1990-2010)

Abstract

The talk show as a television genre in Spain spread through all formats and dayparts during the two decades studied (1990-2010). Throughout that time, it developed its own rules on how to present intimacy on television: reality TV did not mean the end of privacy, but rather the beginning of its expansion. This article analyses the evolution of the talk show, from the early modest, shy formats which limited emotional exposure, to those influenced by Big Brother’s success, which forced the genre to manage people’s intimacy in ways as spectacular as possible in the struggle for audience ratings. This permanent search for viewers even caused the talk show to exceed the limits of authenticity and adopt the practices of fiction and unrestrained spectacle, altering reality for utilitarian reasons to make it more entertaining and sometimes introducing actors and presenters that promoted conflict and even deceit.