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How Social Media Bridges the Gap Between Stars and Fans in "Mẹ Vắng Nhà, Ba Là Siêu Nhân"?

The future of reality TV is undergoing a significant transformation with the integration of social media (Stefanone, Lackaff & Rosen 2010). Along with that, the carefully constructed personas of celebrities are giving way to real stereotypes of their lives. This article explores this phenomenon through the Vietnamese reality show "Mẹ Vắng Nhà, Ba Là Siêu Nhân" (When Mom's Away, Dad's a Superhero). The show's emphasis on showcasing the real-life challenges of fatherhood, coupled with the transparency of social media, creates a public sphere where the gap between reality TV stars, fans, and the network is narrowed.

The Level of Authenticity in "Mẹ Vắng Nhà, Ba Là Siêu Nhân"

Traditionally, reality TV has often relied on describing celebrities in a glamorous or larger-than-life manner (Nouri 2018). However, "Mẹ Vắng Nhà, Ba Là Siêu Nhân" breaks the tradition by focusing on the everyday struggles and the fatherhood. This reality show challenges male celebrities like rapper Rhymastic and actor Le Duong Bao Lam to care for their children for 48 hours without any help from their wives (Duy 2022). They have to deal with diaper changes, meltdowns, and bedtime routines, offering a refreshingly raw wind and attracting large viewers (Tuoi Tre Newspaper 2024). This shift towards authenticity creates a high connection and empathy between the stars and the audience. Fans see themselves reflected in the on-screen experiences, realizing that celebrities also have the joys and frustrations of raising children.

Social Media: A Window into Unfiltered Lives

Social media acts as a bridge, extending this connection beyond the show. Celebrity fathers use platforms like Instagram and Facebook to share their parenting experiences, offering glimpses into their daily routines, challenges, and successes. Fans gain a full view of their lives and see the messy moments and chaos that wouldn't be shown on the TV. This transparency normalizes the stars, blurs the perception of them as simply entertainers, and reveals them as normal individuals navigating the complexities of parenthood. Therefore, the stars of "Mẹ Vắng Nhà, Ba Là Siêu Nhân" enclose a natural approach, and build trust and loyalty with their audience.

A Redefining Role for Reality TV Stars: Relatable Role Models

The focus on real-life experiences in "Mẹ Vắng Nhà, Ba Là Siêu Nhân" also redefines the role of reality TV stars. They are no longer simply figures of aspiration or entertainment. Instead, they become relatable role models and describe the joys, frustrations, and learning curves associated with fatherhood. This shift is particularly significant in societies like Vietnam, where family values and parental roles hold high importance. By showcasing the challenges and pride of celebrity fathers, the reality show brings a realistic picture of parenthood that is similar to viewers and potentially challenges traditional gender roles.

Recommendation:

Moving forward, reality TV producers in Vietnam can learn valuable lessons from "Mẹ Vắng Nhà, Ba Là Siêu Nhân". Shows that tell authentic stories of celebrity lives, with a strategic use of social media to connect target audiences, are likely to find success in the evolving landscape of entertainment. By promoting authenticity and using social media to connect with viewers, reality TV can actively create real-life content related to audiences's experiences, and open a public sphere for shared experiences and a sense of community.

Comments below the YouTube video create a safe public sphere for audiences to share their opinions about the kids in the reality show.

References:

Duy, L 2022, ‘Mẹ vắng nhà - Ba là siêu nhân’ chương trình tôn vinh những người mẹ, muctim.tuoitre.vn, viewed 2 June 2024, <https://muctim.tuoitre.vn/me-vang-nha-ba-la-sieu-nhan-chuong-trinh-ton-vinh-nhung-nguoi-me-66830.htm>.

Nouri, M 2018, The Power of Influence: Traditional Celebrity vs Social Media Influencer, Scholar Commons.

Stefanone, MA, Lackaff, D & Rosen, D 2010, ‘The Relationship between Traditional Mass Media and “Social Media”: Reality Television as a Model for Social Network Site Behavior’, Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, vol. 54, no. 3, pp. 508–525.

Tuoi Tre Newspaper 2024, The baby ‘Dear Pam’ punches his father’s back in Mom’s away from home, Dad is a superhero - Vietnam.vn, Vietnam.vn, viewed 2 June 2024, <https://www.vietnam.vn/en/em-be-pam-yeu-oi-dam-lung-cho-ba-trong-me-vang-nha-ba-la-sieu-nhan/>.